Film Studies
This term, I opted to take a film studies course as a part of the requirements for my diploma. When I tell people that I'm taking a film studies course, I often wonder if people have the impression that all we do is watch movies in class, and what kinds of movies we watch. Actually, I find Film Studies classes like English lit classes: there are presentations, discussions, and papers (50% of your grade!), as well as tests. In addition, instead of reading a book a week, you watch a movie a week. Yet, it feels more challenging in comparison to literature.
Unlike books, you can't easily grab a copy of a movie, quote from them or reference them easily. Most probably haven't heard of the movies we watch as they're not typically mainstream ones (can't find in video stores), but thankfully, today's technology allows for easier access to them. They're more drama/artsy (more my type than action/thriller movies); the only one I had heard of prior to this class was Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. I now have been exposed to the more famous directors from China at least (e.g. Zhang Yimou who directed Hero and Raise the Red Lantern). Some of them the plot is confusing or abstract, but yet those seem to do very well in film festivals around the world. Hopefully, I'll come out of this more cultured as a result!