French Cinema: The New Wave and Beyond

This subject offers an introduction to French Cinema from the New Wave to the present. Themes covered in the subject include the New Wave in its social and cultural context; auteur theory; cinematographic language; representations of social change and the interpretation of cultural identities in French film. On completion of the subject, students should demonstrate familiarity with the practices and theoretical concerns of New Wave and post-New Wave filmmakers in France, be able to analyse the social and cultural processes represented in selected films from the period studied, demonstrate an awareness of critical approaches to French film, and communicate the results of their research and analysis in both oral and written forms. The subject will be taught and assessed in French. Prior experience in Film Studies is neither assumed nor required.