CL 301 French Cinema in English

French cinematographers and their works have often stood in contrast to large-scale, epic Hollywood productions. This is not to say that the two traditions are totally distinct: cross-fertilization has occurred in both directions. The French have produced a number of cinematographic masterpieces, and many of their most successful films have been recast for an American audience. In this course, we will examine five distinct genres: 1) the French New Wave with films by Truffaut (The Last Metro), Rohmer (Claire's Knee), Godard (Breathless), and Lelouch (A Man and a Woman); 2) the French Film Noir, with films by Chabrol (The Butcher), Clouzot (Les Diaboliqies), and Malle (Elevator to the Gallows); the Historical Epic, with films by Rappeneau (Cyrano), Chereau (Queen Margot), Vigne (The Return of Martin Guerre); Comedies, with films by Veber (The Dinner Game), Serreau (Three Men and a Baby), and Jeunet (Amelie); and Political Films with films by Renoir (La Grande Illusion), Malle (Au Revoir les Enfants), and Resnais (Hiroshima Mon Amour). [H]

Offered

Summer

Instructor

Lalande