FREN 2801

Given in English, with no knowledge of French required, this course traces the history of French film from the author-based cinema of the New Wave period (1950’s and 60’s France) right up to contemporary developments in France and the contemporary Francophone world at large: Québec, the Maghreb, West Africa, Acadia, Belgium, the Antilles, etc. As with FREN 2800.03, this course will consider the social and broad cultural dimensions of the French and Francophone film world and its rich and changing aesthetic and theoretical implications. Lectures will blend with open discussion periods based on selected readings and viewings. Directors and scriptwriters whose work will be discussed include Godard, Robbe-Grillet, Varda, Truffaut, Malle, Rohmer, Chabrol, Besson, Tavernier, Jutra, Chiasson, Perreault, Arcand, etc. Actors as varied in technique as Deneuve, Depardieu, Dauteuil, etc. will draw attention. Consideration will be given to the documentary tradition, particularly its manifestations in French Canada.