Spanish 3/4 - Spanish cinema: Almodóvar en el siglo XXI
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- Start Date: 24 May 2025End Date: 07 Jun 2025Sat (Daytime): 10:30 - 12:30OnlineFull fee £69.00 Senior fee £55.00 Concession £45.00
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What is the course about?
In this introductory course, we will learn about the elements that make Almodóvar's films unique and acclaimed
internationally. The visual flamboyance of his style will be approached through the study of both cinematic
techniques and cultural devices. No prior knowledge of film studies is required but it would be beneficial.
What will we cover?
We will look at some of Almodóvar´s early films during La Movida, such as "Entre Tinieblas" ("Dark Habits"), and
also we will explore more recent films like "Todo Sobre mi Madre" ("All about my Mother") or "Habla con Ella" ("Talk
to Her") as well as “Dolor y gloria” (“Pain and Glory”) placing them within a historical frame and studying their visual style and their significance within the contemporary Spanish cinema.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Appreciate Almodóvar's unique visual style in his films
- Identify the elements that make Almodóvar's films so distinctive
- Place his main films within a socio-political context
- Describe the evolution of his work
- Have acquired some cinematic techniques in order to be able to read a film.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
Advanced knowledge of Spanish is essential: you should have done a minimum of 5 years of Spanish recently. It is not necessary to have any prior knowledge of film studies or Spanish society.
For further details of the specific foreign language skills required for this level, please see the languages self-assessment chart at the start of the languages section of our course guide or at https://www.citylit.ac.uk/self-assess-your-level.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Our courses are characterised by spoken interaction and communication. Typical activities include pair work, group work, role plays and games. A range of resources will be used to support your learning including presentations, hand-outs, and audio-visual material.
Homework is highly recommended to consolidate learning.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
The course is based on the tutor’s own resources.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Other Spanish advanced courses or workshops. Please email languages@citylit.ac.uk for advice.
Dr. Óscar Salgado-Suárez teaches Spanish language and cultural courses at Birkbeck, University of London; Imperial College and City Lit. His cultural research interests are 20th and 21st Century Spanish and Latin American visual and literary representations with a focus on storytelling, affects and humour studies in relation to historiography, national identities and power formations.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.