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CS92PROD
From Theater to Cinema in the French Avant-Gardes
FREN 227
Fall 2011 not offered

At the beginning of the 20th century, actors, directors, and playwrights were confronted with two significant upheavals: a shift from theater to silent films and then from silent films to "talking pictures." This transition was greeted by the French avant-gardes alternately with enthusiasm and reservations, especially by the authors we will study: Antonin Artaud and Jean Genet. We will read both their literary and theoretical texts, focusing on the questions they raise within the avant-garde movement: How does one avoid the pitfalls of representation? How can one use, or, indeed, mix, theater and film to change, enlarge, or upset our perception of the world? We will study two silent films by Artaud and Genet, paying particular attention to their technical, aesthetic, political, and legal implications. Throughout the semester, we will likewise study some 20th-century film adaptations made from the works of these two major playwrights.

Essential Capabilities: Intercultural Literacy, Interpretation
Students will be introduced to 20th century French theater and cinema.
Credit: 1 Gen Ed Area Dept: HA RLAN
Course Format: Lecture / DiscussionGrading Mode: Graded
Level: UGRD Prerequisites: None
Fulfills a Major Requirement for: (RMST)

Last Updated on MAR-29-2024
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