FAV328 French Cinema in the Period 1896–1959

Faculty of Arts
Autumn 2018
Extent and Intensity
2/0/4. 5 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Šárka Jelínek Gmiterková, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
prof. PhDr. Jiří Voráč, Ph.D.
Department of Film Studies and Audiovisual Culture – Faculty of Arts
Contact Person: Patrycja Astrid Twardowska
Supplier department: Department of Film Studies and Audiovisual Culture – Faculty of Arts
Timetable
Thu 9:00–11:40 C34
  • Timetable of Seminar Groups:
FAV328/OS01: Tue 8:00–10:40 Scala, Š. Jelínek Gmiterková
Prerequisites
There are none.
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
The capacity limit for the course is 69 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/69, only registered: 0/69, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/69
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 10 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Course objectives
The course focuses on French cinema in the period 1896 to 1959. Individual sessions will introduce key French directors of the period as well as individual films and offer insight into the development of economical, technological, production and theoretical background. The lectures begins with the emergence of cinema, establishing French major presence on global film market; a position receding after WW I. In the 1920s the French film impressionism, exploring film form as an art form will be introduced. The advent of sound cinema shifts the focus more towards popular genres, classical forms and stardom. During the postwar decade the so-called "tradition of quality" took over French cinema as well as cinephilia, resulting in the development of persistent theoretical background.

These lectures complement the compulsory course on the history of world cinemas up to the year 1945 (FAVBPa08)
Learning outcomes
After completing the course students will:
- know essential French films, directors, actors and other creative personnel in the years 1896 - 1959
- be able to understand and describe the development of French cinema from the economical, technological and production perspective in this particular era
-be able to identify the main periods of French cinema in relation to wider cultural, political and social history
- know and understand key essays of French film theory.
Syllabus
  • The course consists of 12 lectures.
  • The period 1896 - 1959 will be divided in 4 chronological sections. 3 sessions are dedicated to each section.
  • 1. 1896 - 1918
  • 2. 1920s - up to the emergence of sound
  • 3. 1930s and the WW 2 period
  • 4. Postwar development
Literature
  • TEMPLE, Michael - WITT, Michael (2018): The French Cinema Book. Second Edition. London: BFI and Palgrave Macmillan.
  • BROWN, Tom (2016): Spectacle in Classical Cinemas. Musicality and Historicity in the 1930s. London and New York: Routledge.
  • THOMPSON, Kristin and David BORDWELL. Dějiny filmu : přehled světové kinematografie. Translated by Helena Bendová - Jan Bernard - Michal Bregant - Zdeněk Holý - V. První vydání. Praha: Akademie múzických umění, 2007, 827 stran. ISBN 9788071068983. info
  • CRISP, C. G. The classic French cinema, 1930-1960. 1st pbk. ed. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1997, xix, 485. ISBN 0253211158. info
  • ABEL, Richard. French cinema : the first wave, 1915-1929. 1st Princeton pbk. print. Princeton, N.J.: Princeton University Press, 1987, xxi, 672. ISBN 0691008132. info
  • BAZIN, André. Co je to film? Praha: Československý filmový ústav, 1979. info
Teaching methods
Topical lectures together with screenings (videotime + Scala cinema).
Assessment methods
Written test.
Language of instruction
Czech
Further Comments
Study Materials
The course can also be completed outside the examination period.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
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