Languages & Culture
Film & Media: 5 Flights of Fantasy
Course overview
Are too many too quick to dismiss the fantasy genre as pure entertainment and/or escapist spectacle? Are there varying degrees of fantasy on screen, rendering the term fantasy film as something rather too broad? We examine a selection of five films, all using elements of fantasy to tell their stories. In Orlando, adapted from literature, elements of fantasy are used to highlight inequalities within society. Young Einstein, a film derided by critics in the U.S, makes use of alterative history and elements of surrealism to both entertain and arguably present some deeper comments regarding humanity and innovation, does its fantastical approach help or hinder? Labyrinth offers a unique screen vision by immersing the viewer in a vivid fantasy world earning itself cult status to this day but is it for children, adults or both? Spirited Away makes use of animation to comment on the modern world, here, the fantasy element is fundamental to its approach. More recent films such as Barbie prove fantasy can be big at the box office, using a variety of different approaches to both entertain and relevant social comment. Are all these fantasy films as much if not far more than meet the eye? Are there any reoccurring themes approaches? And is fantasy an ideal medium for the screen? Orlando (1992), Young Einstein (1988), Labyrinth (1986), Barbie (2023), Spirited Away (2001).
Course description
A friendly and accessible exploration of five films under the heading of 'flights of fantasy'. This selection of cinema examines the varied use of 'fantasy' on screen from more realistic and escapist entertainment to outlandish tall tales and elements of the magical or 'otherworldly' (magical realism) as a means as of expressing creative ideas, commenting upon reality and/or questioning a variety of social and/or psychological reflections on life in general. Are all of these fantasy films style over substance, are we too quick to dismiss this varied genre for more realistic offerings? We examine the creative intentions, consider any reoccurring themes and ponder the appeal for audience and critics alike.
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