Contemporary Latin American Film

Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso

Course Description

  • Course Name

    Contemporary Latin American Film

  • Host University

    Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso

  • Location

    Valparaíso and Viña del Mar, Chile

  • Area of Study

    Film Studies, Latin American Studies

  • Language Level

    Taught In English

    Hours & Credits

  • Contact Hours

    60
  • Recommended U.S. Semester Credits
    4
  • Recommended U.S. Quarter Units
    6
  • Overview

    Contemporary Latin American FilmPIIE 411-01

    Course description

    This course invites students to explore Latin America through the eyes of contemporary Latin American filmmakers. With a thematic emphasis, we will watch and analyze films considering them as complex representations of the region.

    Course learning objectives
    With the successful completion of this course, students will grow in their ability to:

    ? Discover, recognize and discuss the main characteristics of Latin American film

    ? Develop a personal opinion and point of view of Latin America, stepping away from stereotypes

    ? Analyze the different styles, esthetic characteristics and ways of telling a story in film.

    ? Compare and discuss the main differences between film and documentary related to Latin American issues.

    ? Become familiar with a group of well known contemporary Latin American filmmakers

    Course Themes

    The themes that will be studied during the class will be based in the critical study of a group of films. This critical study means not only watching the film, but also reading texts that talk about the film, placing the film in its context of production, connecting the film with sociological issues and writing about the film.

    i. Approaches to women and gender through contemporary Latin American film

    ii. Documentaries and fictional films. 1973-1990: Chilean Dictatorship

    iii. Marginal urban societies. Representations of Brazil, Mexico and Chile
    Course Methodology

    ? Group guided viewing of shorts and documentaries in order to fight the life-long habit of quickly consuming films as forgettable entertainment.

    ? Class discussions will require your preparation at home. This may include items such as a list of discussion questions, a study guide, related web sites, and/or class exercises for discussing the film.

    Readings. Chapters selected from the following texts

    ? Bordwell, David: Kristin Thomson: Film Art, an Introduction

    ? Burton, Julianne: The Social Documentary in Latin America

    ? Nichols, Bill: Representing Reality, Issues and Concepts in documentary

    Course evaluation

    ? Participation in class discussions
    ? Written appreciations of the films: Movie review / Critical essay / Frame analysis
    ? Oral presentations

    Film selection for the course

    ? Amores Perros
    Director: Alejandro González Iñárritu (Mexico)
    Year: 2000

    ? Ciudad de Dios
    Director: Fernando Meirelles y Kátia Lund (Brasil)
    Year: 2002

    ? La Teta asustada
    Director: Claudia Llosa (Perú)
    Year: 2009

    ? Machuca
    Director: Andrés Wood (Chile)
    Year: 2004

    ? Tony Manero
    Director: Andrés Wood (Chile)
    Year: 2003

    ? Football Stories (Historias de Futbol)
    Director: Andrés Wood (Chile)
    Year: 1997

    ? The maid (La nana)
    Director: Sebastián Silva (Chile)
    Year: 2009

    ? Madeinusa
    Director: Claudia Llosa (Perú)
    Year: 2006

    ? Como agua para el chocolate
    Director: Alfonso Arau (Mexico)
    Year: 2003

    ? Coronación
    Director: Silvio Caiozzi (Chile)
    Year: 2000

    ? Captain Pantoja and special services (Pantaleón y las visitadoras)
    Director: Francisco Lombardi (Perú)
    Year: 1999

    ? La ciudad de los fotógrafos
    Director: Sebastián Moreno (Chile)
    Year: 2006

    ? Dawson, Isla 10
    Director: Miguel Littin (Chile)
    Year: 2009

    ? El chacotero sentimental
    Director: Cristián Galaz (Chile)
    Year: 1999

    EVALUATIONS

    The final grade of this course will be an average of the following items:

    ? 2 Critical essays
    ? 1 Oral Presentation
    ? Homework: Readings, Movie reviews, Questions
    ? Participation in class discussions: Informed arguments, motivating questions, propose topics of discussion
    ? Attendance and punctuality

Course Disclaimer

Courses and course hours of instruction are subject to change.

Eligibility for courses may be subject to a placement exam and/or pre-requisites.

Credits earned vary according to the policies of the students' home institutions. According to ISA policy and possible visa requirements, students must maintain full-time enrollment status, as determined by their home institutions, for the duration of the program.

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