HFMA03134U FM, Viewing the Middle East

During the last three decades the “Middle East Cinema” has emerged as an innovative and exciting “world cinema”. The main objective of this course is to give an introduction to this cinema in relation to its historical, political, social, cultural, literary and artistic contexts. Films by most of the major directors of the region will be reviewed and contextualized, including works by Abbas Kiarostami, Mohsen Makhmalbaf, Jafar Panahi, Amos Gitaï, Elia Suleiman and many others. One of the major topics in this course will be the question of national identity and its relationship with politics and society. Other important themes to be investigated in this course include the roles (and depictions) of women, children and rural and tribal society, war as well as the organization of space. Theoretical issues concerning representation and realism, self-reflexivity, documentary, fiction and propaganda will also be dealt with. Students are expected to participate actively and make presentations.