FILM THEORIES

The course is part of the “Related or Additional Studies” programmes included in the curriculum of the “Performing Arts and Media Studies” module for the Bachelor's Degree Programme and part of the “Conservation of Cultural Heritage and Performing Arts Management” segment. Its aim is providing students with a set of theoretical notions that have distinguished the debate about cinema throughout history. The objectives of the course are: developing reflection skills through critical reading and film viewing; recognizing the theoretical dimension of the cinematic experience, in particular considering the epistemology and the fundamentals of the discipline, contextualizing it within its relevant historical period.

1. Knowledge and comprehension: Ability to recognize the principal phases of the theoretical debate that has developed around cinema; Ability to comprehend the current meaning of specific critical texts.
2. Ability to apply the acquired knowledge and comprehension: Ability to distinguish the theoretical aspects of a film text or a text belonging to the specialized literature; Ability to place a text of film theory in its specific historical-social context.
3. Ability of critical judgement: Ability to form and discuss simple possibilities of interpretation of audio-visual artworks; Ability to develop a critical-theoretical approach when evaluating films or other audio-visual products.
4. Communication skills: Ability to participate in discussions around the subjects of the course; Ability to define the specific character of the theoretical and historical discussion using an appropriate vocabulary, during the exam and during lectures; Ability to interact with fellow students and with lecturers in a critical and cooperative way, both during class and via virtual platforms.
5. Learning skills: Ability to take notes and share them in a cooperative manner; Ability to consult the reference texts and the bibliography these contain in a critical manner.

No prerequisites are required, but it is advisable for students to include the following courses in their study plan: History of cinema, Film analysis, Aesthetics, Photography, and History of contemporary art.

The critical-theoretical discourse has accompanied the history of cinema since its inception. In its many and varied articulations, it offers a rich and stimulating perspective on the issues raised by moving images at the very moment of their appearance. The film, in fact, interrogates the viewer (and the scholar) about their own subjectivity, forces a position and a positioning, summons a context, connects to a series of other discourses (critical, theoretical, social), and establishes the conditions for its own (fragile) survival. Given these premises, the course aims to reconstruct part of the debate that has developed around certain film practices that remain central to contemporary modes of viewing: the (ontological) status of the image, the presence of a support/device, the act of composition, the haptic and speculative dimension of the gaze. This will be achieved through the dialogue of various theoretical contributions (classical, modern, and contemporary), the viewing and commentary of significant film sequences, and the reading and commentary of theoretical passages, with active involvement from students in the latter two cases.

Bibliography and Filmography

- A selection of critical-theoretical texts provided by the lecturer, including contributions by, among others, Benjamin, Bazin, Canudo, Casetti, Epstein, Eisenstein, Farocki, Kracauer, Mulvey, Vertov, etc.
- A selection of sequences from film history (discussed in class) where theoretical concepts and issues are developed.
Note: All examination materials and further study materials will be uploaded to the course materials on Moodle.

Verification of the course preparation will be conducted by means of an oral examination. Three questions will be asked, relating to the filmography and the contents of the textbooks and essays included in the programme.

Grading and assessment criteria:
The grading criteria will take into consideration the correctness and propriety in the use of theoretical lexicon (30%), the punctuality and extent of knowledge of the topics explored in depth in class and in any case learnt through the study of the exam bibliography (30%); the ability to critically elaborate the knowledge acquired to the case studies presented from time to time (30%), without forgetting a focus on the care of oral exposition (10%).

Grades in bands 18-22 will be awarded where the aforementioned points reach a sufficient level; grades in bands 23-26 will be awarded where the aforementioned points reach a fair level; grades in bands 27-30 will be awarded where the aforementioned points reach an excellent level; honours will be awarded where the aforementioned points reach an excellent level.

The lectures will take place in class and employ a critical-theoretical perspective. They include reading and commentary on texts, viewing of few emblematic film sequences and active participation of students. The students’ participation will consist of discussions in class or teamwork – when the number of participants allows for it.

Italian

Class attendance is recommended.

Ca’ Foscari follows the Italian law (Law 17/1999; Law 170/2010) for the support and accommodation services available to students with disabilities or specific learning disabilities. If you have either a motor, visual, hearing or another disability (Law 17/1999), or a specific learning disorder (Law 170/2010) and you require support (classroom assistance, technological aids for carrying out exams or personalized exams, accessible format material, note retrieval, specialist tutoring as study support, interpreters or other), please contact the Disability and DSA office disita@unive.it.

oral

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "Human capital, health, education" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development