Intro to Film Paper #1:
Comparative Film Analysis
Choose a pair of films from the
list below, write a comparison of the films by analyzing each film’s narrative
elements, editing techniques and style, and camerawork. Compare and contrast
how each film uses narrative elements, editing, and camerawork in similar or
different ways. For narrative elements, you may for example choose to discuss
plot, character development, time, etc. Whatever elements of narrative,
editing, and camerawork you choose to analyze, please be very specific and
demonstrate how those elements function in the films, therefore, describe and
discuss examples from the films to support your points.
It is important that you do not
just write a synopsis (an outline about what happens in each movie). You need
to analyze how the films are put together and explain why specific effects
support your interpretation. You may wish to focus on differences of plot, how
time is handled, how characters develop, or on the actions of cause-and-effect
in each film. Be sure to introduce your paper with a strong thesis on how you
are examining the films. Whichever narrative elements, editing techniques, and elements
of camerawork you choose to discuss, be as specific as you can in showing how
these elements function in the film (i.e., use examples from the film).
Length: 1,000-1,500 words
(make sure to check your word count before submitting!)
Film Comparisons:
1. Dorothy Arzner, Dance, Girl, Dance (1940)
and Nina Menkes, Magdalena Viraga (1986) OR Phantom Love (2007)
2. Agnes Varda, Cléo from 5 to 7 (1962)
and Amy Heckerling, Clueless (1995)
3. Gille Pontecorvo, Battle of Algiers (1966)
and Tomás Guttiérez Alea, Memories of Underdevelopment (1968)
4. Wong Kar-Wai, In the Mood for Love (2001)
and Apichatpong Weerasethakul, Cemetery of Splendor (2015)
5. Ryan Coogler, Blac Panther (2018) and
Mamoru Oshii, Ghost in the Shell (1995)
6. Fritz Lang, Metropolis (1927) and
Jordan Peele, Us (2019) OR Bong Joon Ho, Parasite (2019) (OR all
three!!)
