Is melodrama a genre, a way of imagining the world, or the predominant aesthetic mode to represent intense emotions? Throughout the history of film it has been all of these, traveling across cultures and cinematic contexts. In this course we explore theories and concepts that can help us make sense of melodrama, and apply them to a number of key films from different countries. We question why these films move us, and how their narrative and mise-en-scene create stark moral conflicts and “excessive” pathos. Through group assignments and an individual research project, we also explore the ways in which melodrama affects our current understanding of history, politics, and society. The first part of the course focuses on melodrama from early cinema to the post-WWII period, whereas the second part addresses a number of international films spanning from the early 1990s to the 21st century.
Code
FM2089
Name
FILM GENRE: MELODRAMA
Credits
4
Pre-requisites
None
Co-requisites
None
Can be taken twice for credit?
No
Discipline
FM (Film)
Level
Undergraduate
Type
Regular
CAMS ID
4486
Last update with CAMS
Students will engage with theories related to film genre, spectator-ship and affect.
Students will deepen their understanding of how genres develop through history and across different national contexts.
Students will recognize and identify elements of narrative and mise-en-scene that characterize a specific film genre.
Students will develop a strong understanding of the social and political issues addressed by melodrama.
Students will strengthen their critical analysis and written expression through an individual research project and a peer-reviewed paper.
| Term | Code | Name |
|---|---|---|
| Spring 2021 | FM2089 | FILM GENRE: MELODRAMA |