Exam 2 - Open Response Flashcards
(6 cards)
Explain how the character of Rama represents positive aspects of both African and Western cultures. Then explain how the character El Hadji represents negative aspects of both African and Western cultures. (4 sentences, 12 points)
Rama serves as a female role model in the film who represents positive aspects of western culture by openly opposing polygamy, going to college, and just generally being feminist. However, she still holds onto positive elements of African culture by wearing traditional African clothing, speaking Wolof, and having a communitarian perspective. This is contrasted by her father El Hadji who wears western clothes, speaks french, drinks Evian, and seeks individual wealth; negative elements of Western Culture. He also represents the negative cultural elements of Africa by being polygamous and matriarichal.
Explain two functions of the minimalist style in Jeanne Dielman, 23 Quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles. In other words, describe two things that Chantal Akerman is trying to accomplish by using this style in her film. Be sure to give examples from the film to illustrate your points. (4 sentences, 12 points)
One function of the minimalist style in Jeanne Dielman is to establish Jeanne’s routine so as to expose the fragility of her life in the small breakdowns of her routine. After watching her spend almost two days of seemingly perfect order, the audience gets so used to her mannerisms and habits that it is immediately clear when her client on the second day unsettles her. She seems immediately flustered and overcooks the potatoes she was making for dinner and she has to go get more. The minimalist style also forces viewers to see the empty intervals and domestic spaces often ignored in mainstream films. So much of the film seems unimportant until you realize that it forces you to notice subtle patterns that lead to the murder at the end of the film feeling no more important than Jeanne washing her hands after breading pork cutlets.
In one full sentence, define what is meant by “synthetic documentary”. In another sentence explain how The Thin Blue Line an example of synthetic documentary. (2 sentences, 6 points)
A synthetic documentary is a more modern style of documentary that combines techniques to give more context and shift away from the objectivity of direct cinema. The Thin Blue Line serves as an example of this as it includes a variety of techniques such as recreations of events, interviews with key players, non-diegetic music and many artful uses of archival footage.
In one full sentence, explain what is meant by “meta-documentary”, or “reflexive documentary”. In another sentence explaine how The Thin Blue Line an example of a meta-documentary. (2 sentences, 6 points)
A meta-documentary is a reflexive documentary that questions the ability to acquire an absolute truth. The Thin Blue Line is an example of a meta-doc in that it calls into question the reliability of people’s accounts but never suggests there is no such thing as truth.
In a full sentence define the term “structural film”. In another sentence, describe how Lemon is an example of a Structural film. (2 sentences, 6 points)
Structural film aims to break down film into its material as a medium which concentrates viewers’ attention on one non-narrative subject that organizes the film. Lemon is an example of structural film as it focuses on one simple lemon and utilizes repetition, patterns, and gradual change to exemplify film as a illusionist medium.
Explain what is meant by the term “return to the sources” in relation to African filmmaking. Explain with two examples how the film Yeelen is an example of a “return to the sources” film. (3 sentences, 9 points)
The term “return to the source” in film means drawing on pre-colonial African culture and showing indigenous culture concealed by Western images. The film showcases the Komo sorcerers which has roots in pre-colonial and pre-islamic culture. The film also includes griot which are historians, storytellers, poets, or musicians that are crucial to preserving Senegalese aural history.
