Realism in World Cinema

What do we mean by realism in the cinema? What is at stake in cinematic realism? The course is organized around these two leading questions. In order to articulate a response to such questions, we will move along two parallel tracks. On the one hand, we will explore realist film practices and the conventions that we came to associate with a realist approach to filmmaking. The films under consideration will shed light on the vicissitudes of realism within a range of film cultures and during different historical moments. On the other hand, the course will investigate the discourses about cinematic realism, by focusing on key contributions in both classical and contemporary film theory, including the work of André Bazin and Sigfried Kracauer, as well as the contributions by Lucia Nagib, Thomas Elsaesser, and Seán Cubitt.

A preliminary question tackled within our course will concern the status of Hollywood realism. Through the analysis of the classical Hollywood style, we will articulate a foundational distinction between two key understanding of realism, one based on the pursuit of an accurate reproduction of the referent’s appearance, and another premised on the commitment to reveal inapparent aspects of the referent. Developing further our inquiry into this second type of realism, we will tackle the question concerning the profilmic space, the relationship between realism and the senses, to conclude with a consideration of realism’s significance in the digital era. During the course, students will learn to apply basics skills in film analysis and, by working in groups, they will realize a short narrative or documentary film.