What bliss for me to return to my old film class. I taught it for many years, starting in 1991, usually in the Fall Semester. Alas, it was cancelled for various reasons after Fall of '04. And now, as I enter into my dotage, sentience slipping away, a memory from the distant past becomes a reality. I want to thank all the students who had some hand in this. You asked the Principal to fund the class, and he did. Now, let's see if I can avoid screwing it up.
Our first film, All Quiet on the Western Front, by Lewis Milestone, has been my perennial entree into the class. Though it has some definite negatives, namely it is rather primitive, B&W, dated acting (I won't say bad acting) slow pacing, pacifist left-wing message, it suits my purpose to a tee. And the purpose is to introduce the class to the elements of film. It's all there, and in a simple and direct style that is easy to identify and understand. The fact that the film is unquestionably an existential work just adds to the fun. (Did you notice that Paul prayed fervently to God that he not let Hans Kemmerich die? And Hans promptly dies. Oh dear. It may be a sobering semester)
No comments:
Post a Comment