Response Paper #6: Modernism

7 points possible

Choose one of the following questions to respond to. Each question requires watching a film. Links are provided to YouTube. You’re on your honor to watch the films and not read a synopsis online.

CHOICE #1: Un Chien Andalou (1929), directed by Luis Buñuel is a 21 minutes Surrealist film with an unconventional plot. As you view the film, take note of each scene in the film. Write it as a simple bullet point outline as you watch the film. For example, you’d want to note “Woman looks out the window, sees man fall off bicycle” You might need to stop the film from time to time so you can write things down. Trigger warning: There is a scene of sexual assault in the film, and a scene of glory violence at the very beginning.

• In about 200 words tell me the story that unfolds in the film. Use your bullet point outline as a reference (but don’t give me the bullet points). Use your own words to tell me the story, beginning to end – as if you were pitching the story to a Hollywood executive! “First this happens, then this. Someone walks in and does this, then this happens.”

• Then take another 100 words to describe for me one or more of the themes embedded in the story, and how that theme is communicated. So – don’t just write “love is one of the themes.” Tell me how the theme “love” is communicated. Which scenes or characters are involved in communicating this theme? Use the information from the slide presentation to show me you read it and can incorporate the information into an essay.
• Please don’t do any research other than watching the film! Also – you’ll want to use the link I provide as it contains the music the filmmakers chose for the film.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cB7gd_t6WMQ (Links to an external site.)

CHOICE #2: The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920), directed by Robert Wiene, is a full-length German Expressionist silent film with an interesting twist ending. Themes include suspicion of authority, the dual nature of humanity (good and evil), mental health vs. mental illness, among others. German Expressionism is especially noticeable in the scenic design of the sets. (94 minutes)

• In an essay of about 300 words discuss one of the themes present in the film, either one I’ve listed above, or one you come up with on your own. Tell me how the themes is communicated. You might describe two or more scenes that represents the theme, or character interactions. In either case, you’ll likely want to include scenic design and use of the camera as these are artistically used in depiction of theme in the film.
• This restored version of the film has an ambient soundtrack embedded in it that's pretty great.
• Please don’t do any research other than watching the film! I want to read your words and understand your perspective.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IP0KB2XC29o (Links to an external site.)