Many contemporary films, especially those understood and marketed as “independent” productions,
are influenced by both classical Hollywood cinema and European art cinema. As a result, they
combine traits of the classical film with those of the art film, producing a kind of formal hybrid. In
this assignment, you will analyze one such film in order to determine its relationship to the classical
film on the one hand and the art film on the other.
In meeting this goal you are required to write an essay of approximately 7 pages in length wherein
you complete the following two tasks:
- After your options are presented in tutorial, choose one of the two films available to you and
examine how that film combines formal features associated with the classical film and the art film.
In order to complete this task successfully, it is necessary that you not only describe the film as a
whole (by identifying its structure, the formal patterns that recur throughout it, etc.), but also
analyze in detail at least one representative sequence. It is only with this two-pronged
approach that you will be able to provide textual evidence for any general claims you make. - In the process of completing the first task, be sure to identify the basic characteristics and
underlying principles of the classical film and the art film by describing each variety of text in terms
of its formal attributes (including both narrative and style) and the distinct viewing procedures it
encourages the spectator to engage in. Since this task entails discussion of the classical film and the
art film as general types of narrative cinema, you will need to rely on our course material to
complete it. For this reason, it is required that you make reference to at least two readings that we
have covered this semester (and that you cite those readings properly).
THREE IMPORTANT NOTES:
• Of the two tasks enumerated above, the first one is the meat of the assignment: the goal of this
essay is to make an argument about your chosen film’s relationship to classical film on the one hand
and art film on the other. As a result, your argument (and, by extension, your introductory
paragraph) should be focussed on the film. Then you can either preface the development of that
argument with a discussion of the art film and the classical film or you can weave discussion of their
general characteristics into your analysis of the film.
• Please note that the sequence analysis required for the first task depends on careful attention to the
text; as a result you would be well-advised to produce a shot-by-shot breakdown of any sequence
you discuss at length. It does not need to be as formal or detailed as the one you completed for
Assignment #1, but it should account for the same qualities that you were required to identify when
describing The Wait. Please note: assuming you produce a shot-by-shot breakdown, you do not need
to hand it in; it is preparatory work that is for your use exclusively.
• In order to do well on this assignment there is no need to consult secondary sources beyond our
course material. Rely on our course readings and the analytical skills you have honed in this course in
order to complete the two tasks described above.
General Guidelines, Tips, and Advice:
• Like the last one, this assignment will prove time-consuming, so remember to leave yourself
adequate time to watch the film multiple times, review our relevant course readings, and write the
essay.
