Let the Bullets Fly response (extra credit)

Poster for Let the Bullets Fly, photo credit listal.com

Please visit Let the Bullets Fly website and read the New York Times film review after watching the film. After our journey from Stage Sisters (1964) to The Postmodern Life of My Aunt (2006), how would you analyze Let the Bullets Fly beyond this website and this film review? What approach would you take? What in-class films come to mind, and how would your experience with those films enrich your analysis of this film? Due Monday December 9 by 8 pm for one extra credit.

The Postmodern Life of My Aunt response

Welcome back! Please respond to the film The Postmodern Life of My Aunt and the Ann Hui interview in Speaking in Images by Monday 12/2 at 8 pm. Comments to two other responses are due Monday 12/2 at 10 pm. Please write one short paragraph responding to the film and one responding to the interview, use visual and textual evidences (cite minutes or page numbers whenever available) to support your point of view. How do you compare this film with previous films? What is the most memorable scene for you? I look forward to reading your responses and hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving break. Please be prepared to update the class with your final project in class on Tuesday.

Blind Shaft response

Blind Shaft (dir. LI Yang)

Please respond to the film Blind Shaft AFTER reading the Li Yang Interview from Speaking in Images on Blackboard. Read the optional interview from Senses of Cinema to aid your thinking and reflection.

What is the most memorable scene for you? How would you compare this film with previous films we dealt with in this class? Due Monday November 18 by 8 pm. Comments to two other responses due Monday by 10 pm.

Beijing Bicycle response

A still from Beijing Bicycle (dir. Wang Xiaoshuai)

Please respond to the film Beijing Bicycle and the Wang Xiaoshuai interview by Monday November 11th at 8 pm. Wang Xiaoshuai is one of the most interesting figures among the "Sixth Generation," and Beijing Bicycle is among his most celebrated films. Pay attention to the relationship between the city and the countryside as portrayed in the film, a film about two teenage boys' love stories with a bicycle. Write two concise paragraphs: one responding to the film (such as analyzing your favorite scene, discussing the symbolism of the bicycle, etc.); the other responding to the Wang Xiaoshuai interview, "Banned in China." Comments to two other responses due by Monday November 11th at 10 pm.

In the Mood for Love response

Film still from In the Mood for Love (dir. Wong Kar-wai, Hong Kong, 2000) 

 

Which elements of the film are repeated to emphasize a point or a perception?

 Is there a pattern of striking camera movement, perhaps long shots, long takes, or slow motions? What point is such camera movement making? 

Which sequence(s), according to you, is (are) the most important in this film? 

How does the film make you feel at the end? Happy? Depressed? Confused? And why?

Address two of the above questions in two well-written paragraphs with supporting evidence from
“The Cinema of Wong Kar-wai, A ‘Writing Game’”

Cite any sources you quote or paraphrase. Due Monday November 4 by 8 pm. Comments to two other responses due the same day by 10 pm. 

Millennium Mambo response

Millennium Mambo, dir. Hou Hsiao Hsien, 2001

 

Please read Michael Berry's interview with Hou and Zhu before posting your response to Millennium Mambo. Use insights from the reading to help frame your response. Always cite sources (English or Chinese) with page numbers from readings and minutes from films when you are quoting or paraphrasing others. Due Monday October 28 by 8 pm. Read others' responses carefully and your comments to two other responses are due Monday October 28 by 10 pm. Your "talking points" about readings assigned for each class are due at the beginning of classes as usual. Enjoy reading and writing!

   

Comrades, Almost a Love Story response

Pleas read the Peter Chan interview from Speaking in Images before writing your response to the film. Use specific evidence (with page numbers) from the interview to support your specific film analysis.

 

Read Rey Chow’s “By Way of Mass Commodities: Love in Comrades, Almost a Love Story” from Sentimental Fabulations before coming to class on Thursday.

 

Screenings on Thursday at 5 pm in CB336 (alternative location CB331) and Friday at 1 pm in CB 333: Millennium Mambo (Qianxi manbo, 2001, dir. HOU Hsiao-hsien/Hou Xiaoxian, 119 min.)

 

As usual, your film/reading response will be due on Monday by 8 pm on our class blog. Your comments to two other responses will be due on Monday by 10 pm. Your one "talking point" from each reading with your name and date will be due at the beginning of each class.