Department of Film, Media and Cultural Studies
Module Information Sheet
©Birkbeck, University of London
World Cinema
Module Code
Credits/Level
Module Type
Previous Name
FFME015S6
30/6
Academic
N/A
Teaching Pattern
Entrance Requirements
11 three hour sessions
N/A
Synopsis
Indicative Content
World Cinema introduces and explores some of the
most influential and important film-making from
parts of the world outside Europe and North America.
It explores what is meant by ‘World Cinema’ through
discussing their local context and the global markets
in which these films circulate. It will analyse aspects
of film form, including the rejection of established
western conventions in film, by film-makers
representing distinct film movements and cultural
traditions. it also considers how films function both as
entertainment / escapism and as cultural and social
commentary in the context of different commercial
and art distribution circuits. Through case studies of
African, Indian, Iranian, Latin-American film, it will
consider how our understanding of cinema’s
development in the world can be facilitated by
conceptual frameworks of national, transnational,
intercontinental, regional and global spheres.
Teaching and learning involves a variety of methods
including presentations, pair/group work, class
discussions, screenings, independent study outside of
class, and individual tutorials.
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Introduces some of the most influential and
important film-making from parts of the world
outside North America and Europe
Interprets film through theories of national and
transnational cinema, Third Cinema and
postcolonial theory
Explores aspects of film form in both national
and transnational cinemas produced in different
countries
Looks at the innovative aesthetics and themes of
a wide range of film productions
Appraises established and new international
film-makers representing distinct film practices
and cultural traditions
Considers how films function both as
entertainment and as cultural and social
commentary
Coursework/Assessment
Component
Theoretical essay
Theoretical essay
Basic Requirements
3,000 words
3,000 words
Weighting
50%
50%