You
are
required to compare and contrast two films either
from the same genre or dealing with a specific theme.
There
will be a choice of two questions in
the exam. You
answer one question only. It is worth 40 Marks. You
need to spend about 40 minutes (plus time for a plan) writing an essay answer
to your chosen question.
Both
questions will
have
an emphasis on the relationship between aspects of the films' narrative in
relation to generic
characteristics.
The
first question will be based primarily on narrative study.
The
second
will be based on contextual study.
Issues of
representation will be common to both questions.
We
will be comparing and contrasting Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (George
Roy Hill,
1969) with
Thelma and Louise
(Ridley Scott, 1991).
These films share generic conventions and
themes but are
separated by over two decades, during which time there were incredible changes
in American film as well as its social, political and cultural landscape.
Example questions:
Section C: American Film – Comparative Study Choose one question from this section. You should discuss two American films in your answer. Either,
15. How far do the American films you have studied convey key themes in similar ways? [40]
Or, 16. How far is the representation of characters in the American films you have studied influenced by the times in which the films were made? [40]
Either, 15. Compare how far the closing sequences of the American films you have studied for this topic confirm their messages and values. [40]
Or, 16. Compare how far the actions of the main characters are influenced by the times in which the American films you have studied were made. [40]
Example questions:
Section C: American Film – Comparative Study Choose one question from this section. You should discuss two American films in your answer. Either,
15. How far do the American films you have studied convey key themes in similar ways? [40]
Or, 16. How far is the representation of characters in the American films you have studied influenced by the times in which the films were made? [40]
Either, 15. Compare how far the closing sequences of the American films you have studied for this topic confirm their messages and values. [40]
Or, 16. Compare how far the actions of the main characters are influenced by the times in which the American films you have studied were made. [40]
1. What
is Narrative – in Film Studies?
2. What
is Narrative Perspective and what kind of Narrative Perspective is most
commonly offered in Film Narratives?
3. What
is Narrative Structure?
4. What
theory (by Tzvetan Todorov) describes Narrative Structure in Three Parts?
5. What
Narrative Characters Types (of Vladimir Propp)
are said to feature in many Film Narratives?
6. What
are the Narrative Functions of those Characters?
7. Which
theory (of Claude Levi-Strauss) describes Narratives as being dependent on, and
driven by, conflicts?
8. Roland
Barthes described Narratives as featuring Action and Enigma Codes. What are
these, in Film terms?
Homework
Using the work we do in today’s
lesson and the notes you are making whilst viewing Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid complete the following work:
a)
Summarise the film as a three-part narrative
structure.
b)
Identify whether the main characters are
classical (Propp) or unconventional versions of these.
c)
Identify the key dramatic moments of the film so
far.
d)
Identify the binary oppositions that have been
shown so far.
e)
Work out what important enigma code drives the
narrative of this film.
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