The Wild Side of Cinema
Lukasz Sicinski
Slavic and East European Languages and Cultures
Why are some films difficult to watch? What is the role of unusual cinematography and confusing narrative structure? Why do some filmmakers choose to display disturbing content? Do such cinematic transgressions have a meaning or are they nothing more than empty provocations?
This course explores films that break away from traditional cinematic conventions and subvert dominant stylistic and thematic norms. We will approach these films as philosophical exercises, analyzing the nature of their subversiveness and the ways they challenge our assumptions and engender new ways of thinking. In order to fully understand their import, we will also contextualize these cinematic provocations within the settings in which they were created. We will take into consideration the cultural developments to which they respond and the main cinematic movements with which they are in dialogue.
The course examines these issues in the context of Polish cinema, focusing on selected works of Polish filmmakers from the late 20th century to the present. Knowledge of Polish language and culture is not required.
Catalog Information: HON-H 303 INTERDEPARTMENTAL COLLOQUIA