International Cinema Essays

As an elective for my film studies minor, I took the class International Cinema. Little did I realize that the class would allow me to develop a further perspective on many cultures through the lens of a camera. The course strictly covered films from around the world in the context of  film making techniques and the themes that are shown visually or within the narrative. I learned that international films demonstrate what is largely valued from the individual countries and cultures that they originate from. I have included two essays that I completed for the course, a film that contrasts a coming of age film from France and a film that explores a similar coming of age story made independently in the United States. My other paper explores specific techniques utilized in the film Cries and Whispers, made in Sweden in 1972. Both essays provide examples of how cinema from around the world differs in how it is created, for example slower plot lines and not having an aversion to diving head first into difficult and at times, uncomfortable subject matter. It allowed me to break down that biases and rules I held about films I have seen that are made in the U.S. within the Hollywood system, gaining an appreciation for how some international films feature open endings, meandering plot lines or lingering shots. Additionally, in watching these films, I learned that films are often tied to history or political actions or statements happening within a country at a certain period of time, allowing me to better understand the filmmakers intent in making decisions in creating a film and looking past the history of my country to dive into the history of another.This course was important in advancing my knowledge and understanding of various cultures and provided me self-awareness of my own biases within artistic endeavors.