Postmodern Film

Postmodern Film

There are postmodern films and postmodern ways of looking at films. Does this distinction resonate for you? In Philosophy class we've watched “Run Lola Run” which most viewers would consider a postmodern film. Can you describe the features of this film that reflect elements of postmodernism? How are these revealed thematically and technically? What other films would you select if you were compiling a list of postmodern films?

Read through the articles linked below about postmodern films (yes, yes, there is a whole article about "The Matrix") and their themes and techniques. It would be best for you to watch as many of the films mentioned in these articles as possible.

"Baudrillard and Hollywood: subverting the mechanism of control in The Matrix." http://www.uta.edu/english/apt/collab/texts/hollywood.html

Review: Oh Brother, Where Art Thou? http://www.pandorapressus.com/dsm/autumn01/greida.htm

Star Wars: The Gateway to Postmodern Film http://fishmanproductions.com/lucas.html

Time Travel Films as Postmodern Parables http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/cyberwriter/history.htm

Distinctions Between Classical and Postmodern Horror Films http://www.ac.wwu.edu/~wesmith/pinedoi.html

Your Task:

WRITE an in-depth critique of a postmodern film. Select one of the films mentioned in the reading, or find one of your own that is worthy of an honor student's attention. Your critique should respond to the following questions:

How are postmodern themes illustrated or brought to life in this film?
In what ways does this film transcend or transform earlier film styles or techniques?
What does it mean to view this film from a postmodern perspective?
How are your interpretations of this film different now that you have explored the principles of postmodernism?

Present an abstract of your paper to the class. You may want to show a short (video) clip from the film to illustrate your analysis.

CREATE a short film (video) of your own. This film should be scripted, shot, edited and presented to the class. Your 'screening' should include a Director's Commentary on the postmodern elements of the film. Remember, you are on a strict, linear, non-time-travelling deadline for completion of this project.