The Historical Film
F06
Isabel Roche
Many of the most significant periods and events in French history have been recreated on film. In this intermediate course, we study cinematic representations, from the reign of Louis XIV, to the French Revolution, to 19th-century France, to the first and second World Wars. With the goal of developing an understanding of both the historical frames of reference and the ways in which politics, social structures, geography, and cultural symbols are reconstructed on the screen, students will complete a variety of written and oral exercises throughout the term. Emphasis is placed on the formulation and investigation of hypotheses as well as on the further development of narrative, descriptive, and analytical skills. Films include Cyrano de Bergerac, Ridicule, Le Hussard sur le Toit, La Vie et Rien d’autre, L’Accompagnatrice, and Le Dernier Métro. Students also undertake a research project on a topic related to the course.