It feels like Spring semester just ended and now Maymester is already beginning! Although it seems like we will have a hectic three weeks, I'm excited to explore the topic of European cinema and see some great films along the way. I hope to use this journal as a place to add my commentary about what we discuss in class.

5/14: Battle of Algiers
Today we watched a clip from Gillo Pontecorvo's Battle of Algiers. As an International Studies major, I've had the pleasure of seeing this film several times and I was pleasantly surprised to learn we would be seeing a clip from it. I was also pleased with the clip itself, as it is one of the two scenes from the film that are particularly memorable for me (the other is the scene where the police chase an elderly Arab man throughout the streets of Algiers, as Europeans look on and scream at him). The scene we watched in class, however, focused on three women and three bombs. It offered an interesting look into the role of women in war and at the role of terrorist acts in general. The Algerian War is significant in that it witnessed the emergence of modern terrorist techniques. This scene remains highly relevant today, as much of the Middle East is still plagued with cafe and suicide bombings. I had difficulty watching the explosions in the cafe and milk bar without thinking of the nearly daily bombings that occur in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Beirut. For this reason, it is easy for me to understand why the Pentagon chose to screen this film recently. The realistic shots of the debris and subsequent response of the police and passerbys reminded me of actual news coverage; these clips could have easily been taken from CNN were it not for the period clothing and black-and-white cinematography. Equally remarkable was the depiction of women as important actors in the rebellion. Particularly considering the status of women in Muslim societies, Algeria included, it was interesting for me to see the responsibility given to these women.

5/15: Sound in Film
Today we discussed the role of sound, and I must admit I learned a lot. I'm a very visual person, so I have really never focused on or explored the role of sound within a film. So, watching The Scent of Green Papaya was an interesting experience for me. While the film features stunning visuals, the film's narrative primarily turns on its sound track. Using sound to develop film, Tran Anh Hung (the film's director) creates an abstract depiction of Vietnamese identity. Even had Mui lived in the United States or France, the music would make her Vietnamese heritage evident. Traditional folk music is present throughout the film, effectively situating the film within a Vietnamese cultural context. From the rhythmic chirping of the crickets to the melodious bird songs, the natural world surrounds Mui. Carefully filmed scenes pan slowly through the home, coordinating with the slow pace of the music. The film opens with Mui cloaked in darkness; the shrill pitch of the music reflects her anxiety, while the dissonance creates a sense of unease.

After a hectic weekend, I am ready to start another week of studying film. I can already feel myself becoming a more critical viewer of film. Particularly with sound, I have started to truly notice sound more. Things that would have escaped me before, such as the non-diagetic roar of the plane, became highly nuanced.

5/18: Characterization and Indochine
Today we discussed the various types of characterization that directors can use in film. The discussion became particularly heated when we discussed Daughter from Danang. I found it interesting that the characters that we, as a class, had the most difficulty understanding were not fictional, but real people. Personally, I enjoyed the film's realistic depiction of Heidi's reunification. I feel like viewer expectation  is one of the primary reasons for the strong backlash to Heidi. Many people want a romanticized version of the reunification, whete Heidi and her birth mother would reconnect immediately. This even seemed to be the primary objective of the film's director, yet Heidi, as a real person, reacts independently of  their plans. I think this exhibits the strength of documentary (and cinema-verite in particular) to present reality. Nothing about the production is contrived or false.
Next, we viewed a short clip from the beginning of the film, Indochine. Catherine Deneuve, cloaked in a the traditional black mourning clothes of her native Europe, is immediately distinguished from the rest of the characters. Colorful outfits and traditional Vietnamese boats are contrasted sharply with the very-French Deneuve. As she holds hands with Camille, who is clothed in a traditional outfit, the viewer is confronted with the clash of cultures that will come to define the entire film. Deneuve comes to represent the paternalistic values of colonial France over its possessions in Southeast Asia.

5/19: Catherine Breillat's Sex is Comedy
From the first shot of a couple along a dark beach, I expected a somber film. The cool colors of the film combined with the wailing song that accompanied the opening credits seemed to support this assertion, yet the film turned out to be somewhat lighthearted and comedic even. The opening scene chronicles a young director's attempt to film a steamy love scene. Debunking the myth of Hollywood, the film reveals the many difficulties inherent in film production. Exposing the film's idyllic beach setting, Breillat chooses a cold beach in winter. The actors are cloaked in blankets and shoved onto set as soon as the director yells go. The film also presents the individual attitudes of the actors, from the lead actor who does no  t want to wear make-up to the extras who refuse to disrobe as a result of the chilly weather. Breillat's comical take on film making invites the viewer to contemplate on their own favorite love scenes, leaving them wondering if they were filmed similarly.

5/20: Day 7
Types of Shots:
- close-up, extreme close-up
- medium shot
- wide shot, extreme wide shot
- zoom shot
- POV or subjective shot

What constitutes a good film?
1. Can I relate with any characters or the film in general? Does it provoke me emotionally?
2. Is the movie realistic? Is it socially relevant?
3. Do the actors give a quality performance? Did they truly embody the characters they are playing?
4. Does the film feature witty or well-written dialogue?
5. Does the movie teach me anything new?
6. How engaging is the plot? Is it predictable?
7. Does the movie make me want to talk about it? Does the film remain with me?
8. Does the film feature innovative or interesting cinematography? Is it aesthetically pleasing?

One movie I really like (it's my favorite movie at the time) is The Departed. I feel like it fulfills most, if not all, of my criteria. My favorite film that we have seen so far this semester is Good Bye, Lenin!. The film definitely fulfills all of my criteria, particularly the seventh. I first saw this movie my senior year of high school and it has stuck with me since then. I even think I would like to further explore this film for my final project.

5/26: European Identity in Film
Films often serve, to a certain extent, as a mirror for the societies that produce them. A certain "American-ness" seems to pervade all of the films made in this country, whether they are glossy Hollywood productions or grittier Sundance features. Similarly, all of the movies we have seen this term seem to reek of their respective cultures. While some films like the French productions La Haine and Russian Dolls attempt to emulate American-style genres, yet is immediately evident that they are European productions. From historical identities to modern social realities, films attempt to depict topics that are relevant to their respective audiences. Thus, the POV from which a film is produced is integral to the overall feel of the production.
Film, however, is not a perfect representation of identity. Many films are romanticized and even the most realitsic films are usually not entirely plausible, so there is always a degree of stylization. Yet films do offer a medium for social representation that is popular and widely accessible. Filma are generally screened to wide audiences and provide a certain entertainment value, attracting viewers who may shy away from other mediums, such as literature or art.

5/27: Salut Cousin!
Today we discussed methods for improving our reviews of Salut Cousin!, a film that the class almost universally disliked. I think that this is a very important skill to have, as it is sometimes necessary to critically examine films that I do not like. I found it interesting that several people found their review of this movie as their worst, yet I thought that they were excellently crafted.

5/29: Last Day!
Today is the last day of Maymester, and I must say that I am both happy and sad to end this class. I have learned so much about film and European culture and in general, although I certainly feel a little bit burned out. Suffice to say, it may be a week or so before I watch another movie! But all in all, I immensely enjoyed this class and I look forward to taking Franco-Asian encounters in the fall!