Asian Cinema

Catalog description

This course provides a survey of films made in Asia in the 20th and early 21st centuries. "Asia" is defined broadly to include various countries and regions in East (China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, Korea), Southeast (Philippines) and South Asia (India, Thailand), although we will also problematize this very category by looking into the ways in which notions of "Asia," as well as ideologies of national cinema, are constructed. In lectures, we will explore various critical methods that will help us to understand historical transformations in relation to films as aesthetic objects. We will also consider transformations in approaches towards cinema that correspond to these historical shifts (namely, Fordism, post-Fordism, neoliberalism), look at transhistorical and transnational dialogues between films, and the geographic and aesthetic relationship of different movements and "new waves." In addition to readings, student will watch and analyze numerous feature films directed by some of Asia's most recognized "auteurs." The purpose of the screenings will be to illustrate topics explored in the readings in order to foster a critical analysis of cinema. All course readings and films are available on CatCourses. All readings are in English. No previous knowledge of Asian languages and cultures is required.