History of Spanish Cinema (Fall Only)

Description
The cinema constitutes the most popular artistic expression of the XXth century. Is expressive strength and narrative capacity have converted it into the most important means of moving the sensitivity of the modern spectator. In the case of the Spanish cinema, film production provides us with a splendid opportunity to fully understand the reality of our country in our century, from two of the most interesting view points, as historical documentary and also as aesthetic expression. In this way, objective reality, critical attitude, ideological postulations and artistic creativity, etc. are elements to be discussed and studied in the realms of this course, all dealt with from a temporal evolution which begins with the origins of the complexity of Spanish cinematographic creation to the present-day.

Content
1.- Introduction
2.- The beginnings. Silent cinema and talking movies.
3.- Cinema during the Civil War and Franco’s dictatorship.
4.- The 40’s
5.- The 50’s
6.- The 60’s
7.- The 70’s: End of the dictatorship, transition and democracy.
8.- The 80’s: The democracy.
9.- The 90’s
10.- Present-day cinema

There will be a theoretical part which will not be too ample. Viewing of scenes from interesting and/or emblematic films from each period.

Special attention will be paid to certain films and students will be given a dossier on each of them. We will also study some of the great Spanish directors: Buñuel, Bardem, Berlanga, Iciar Bollain, Carlos Saura, Almodóvar and Amenábar.

Students will be given specific information on certain periods.

Activities
The classes will be in the timetable established by the Centre. The course is of a theoretical and practical nature, and the class lectures are supplemented with viewing of and commentary on the most important films in the Spanish cinema.

For this reason it is important for the students to be familiar with the film section of the video library in the CLM, and also to be involved in the organisation of and participation in film cycles and seminars related to this topic. A visit to film libraries or exhibitions related to Spanish cinema would also be of interest.

Assessment
The CLM norms are minimum attendance of 80%.

The final mark will be:
35% class work
30% participation, homework and compulsory reading
35% group presentations (1 per group)