Film & Media: Global Treasures – Film Gems from around the World

The phrase ‘global’ or ‘world cinema’ can sound off-putting but this course sets out to prove there is really nothing fear and everything to enjoy. We examine a selection of films from the U.S to India, Iran, France, Italy, Czechoslovakia to the UK and Iceland, considering each under their own merits but also how and where each may (or may not) fit in with the varying cinematic trends, historically or on-going, within both its country of origin and on the global market. This course will cover a broad selection, some films perhaps more art-house, some historically important and some very much aiming for the ‘mainstream’ - we’ll consider just who that mainstream market actually are. Do some films deliberately sell an image of their country, do some directors seek to defy this and do some also target ‘niche’ global markets with particular genres? Above all, what do some of these films, intentionally or otherwise say about their country of origin. We will discuss and examine, trends, themes techniques, manifestos, creative aims and prevalent issues, above all promoting a knowledge and appreciation of cinema. Hit the Road (2021), Last Year at Marienbad (1961), Black Peter (1963) Lamb (2021), La Chimera (2023), The Whisperers (1967), Bad Day at Blackrock (1957), Pather Panchali (1955), Dreams (1990), Wonder Woman (2017)