ENGL 616D (01) - Studies in Film/Narrative and Style
Stdy in Film/Narrative & Style
Term: Fall 2021 - Full Term (08/30/2021 - 12/13/2021)
Grade Mode: Letter Grading
CRN: 14926
Start Date | End Date | Days | Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|---|
8/30/2021 | 12/13/2021 | TR | 3:40pm - 5:00pm | HS G35 |
Film Noir and Its Legacy
This course explores contemporary and classical film noir in the context of style and narrative. As critics Paul Schrader and David Desser have pointed out, film noir is not simply a genre but rather a style that is highly adaptable and hence can be found in various film genres in international and contemporary cinemas. As a style, noir foregrounds a culture of corruption and may be seen as a critical social narrative. At the same time, noir also involves aesthetic play with light, water, images of the femme fatale, violence, and crime as its essential ingredients. Our course will cover classical examples such as Double Indemnity (1944) and a variety of contemporary examples foregrounding different issues such as race (Jackie Brown, 1997), gender (Body Heat, 1981; Fight Club 1999), community, class and social corruption(Chinatown 1974; In Bruges, 2008), corporate/media culture (Point Blank, 1967; Nightcrawler 2014) nationhood and borders (Touch of Evil, 1958; Sicario, 2015; No Country for Old Men, 2007) and contemporary nihilism and dark comedy (The Big Lebowski, 1998; Sin City, 2005).
This course satisfies the Genre requirement for English Literature majors.