March 9, 2016
I. Analytical (take-home). (10 points)
Use appropriate film terminology to analyze one of the following film segments:
1) Belle Epoque
3) Mi familia
I. Theory. (40 points)
Answer the following question:
1) Discuss two historical films assigned for this segment of the course through the lens of Rosenstone’s article, “The Historical Film: Looking at the Past in a Postliterate Age.”
II. Comparative Analysis. (40 points)
Answer one of the following questions:
1) How does Like Water for Chocolate compare to My Family with respect to the representation of the intersection of history and family chronicle? What are the inherent strengths and limitations of films such as these that blend truth and fiction? What do these films potentially teach us about history and the socio-cultural spaces inhabited by the protagonists? Refer to Rosenstone where/if appropriate.
2) Compare The Spirit of the Beehive to The Official Story, focusing specifically on their portrayal of a society suffering from a collective trauma. Discuss what you think might be the value and/or benefit of telling each of the stories in the particular way or style that they are told. Refer to Rosenstone where/if appropriate.
IV. Reflection. (10 points)
1) Critique the concept of historical film from an informed standpoint. This is an open-ended question, and you are free to be as objective or subjective as you please. Your answer will be assessed based on its level of thoughtfulness.