Asian Cinema

AY2023/2024 Semester 2

This course aims to introduce you to the martial arts cinemas of Asia. You will study classical and contemporary films produced by East Asian cinemas (China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea), allowing you to become acquainted with the historical, institutional and cultural contexts behind these films. You will be introduced to a wide variety of Asian cinematic styles and they will learn the richness and diversity of regional film cultures as well as the respective societies of the countries featured. Due to the wide range of films and countries covered in this course, you are encouraged to view each lecture as a critical introduction to pertinent critical issues within each national cinema rather than a comprehensive overview of each film culture. Therefore, you are expected to use the various lectures as starting points for more in-depth research on particular films and national cultures. This course introduces a range of Asian cinemas and specific films in the genre of martial arts cinema to foster awareness and intercultural communication. 1. Generic analysis of films from the prism of intercultural awareness 2. Application of knowledge through discussions and tests of study cases