SCME2107 Asian Cinema

Asian cinemas comprise the fastest growing area of regional film production in the world at the moment. This topic provides an introduction to, and an overview of, the diversity of film industries throughout Asia. It will also give students a grounding in some of the major analytical frameworks which have been applied to the study of these industries. The cinemas which will be studied include: the popular cinemas from Hong Kong and India, the tradition of studio production and the anime industry in Japan, the innovative art cinema movements in Taiwan and Iran, and emergent production industries such as those of South Korea and the People's Republic of China.

This topic aims to:

• Present a survey introduction to the diversity of Asian cinema
• Provide a knowledge of the social and industrial contexts out of which Asian cinema stems
• Introduce students to the range of theoretical and critical approaches which have informed the study of Asian cinemas
• Develop students' general critical and analytical skills and their capacity for independent research

1. Demonstrate a basic familiarity with the principal genres and production contexts of contemporary Asian film industries
2. Engage with ideas of national and regional cinema
3. Demonstrate an enhanced ability to analyse films closely as well as produce critical readings and analytical arguments