This module is not currently running in 2024 to 2025.
This module will cover aspects of contemporary Spanish history and culture with specific focus on post-1975 filmic production but in the wider context of pre- and post-Franco society, history and politics. Students will become familiar with important issues such as national stereotypes, gender and sexuality, social transformations, as well as relevant concepts in Film Studies such as cinematic genre, spectatorship, and representation. While the module will focus to some extent on the individual voice of each of the directors, it will to analyse how their work represents major currents of development in Spanish cinema, both in relation to form and content.
Total Contact Hours: 20
Presentation (15 minutes) – 20%
In-Course Test (45 minutes) – 20%
Examination (2 hours) – 60%
Indicative Viewing List:
Los santos inocentes (Mario Camus, 1984), Film
¡Ay, Carmela! (Carlos Saura, 1990), Film
Mujeres al borde de un ataque de nervios/ Women On the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown (Pedro Almodóvar, 1988) Film
El día de la bestia (Alex de la Iglesia, 1995), Film
Te doy mis ojos (Icíar Bollaín, 2003), Film
La vida secreta de las palabras (Isabel Coixet, 2005), Film
See the library reading list for this module (Canterbury)
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
Demonstrate a critical awareness of the main trends and key issues which characterise contemporary Spanish cinema.
Demonstrate a coherent understanding of films as cultural artefacts – both in their production and reception contexts – that reflect cultural, artistic, social and political debates within Spain.
Demonstrate a knowledge of critical debates relating to cultural theory (representation of gender, sexuality, national identity, and subjectivity).
Demonstrate a knowledge of technical terminology relating to cinema.
Demonstrate their ability to critically analyse and describe filmic narratives and the ways in which they are made.
Demonstrate a cogent appreciation of cultural diversity.
Research, to plan and write an essay, as well as to organise it in terms of a coherent argument.
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