Film and Social Change
Module code: ML3034
Films do more than entertain; they ignite movements and inspire new visions for the future. This cutting-edge module invites you to unlock the secrets behind the films that changed the course of history and continue to reshape society today.
On this module we explore the dynamic relationship between international film and social change, focusing on how diverse national cinemas reflect, influence and drive societal transformations across different cultures. You will engage with the cinematic traditions of cultural powerhouses such as France and the Francophone world, Hispanic countries, and Italy, contextualising these films within their unique social and cultural environments. We analyse key trends and movements where art meets activism, recognising how film narratives and aesthetics are used to address issues such as social justice, political resistance, and cultural renewal.
Our engaging discussions and eye-opening film viewings will challenge your perspectives. You will hone your critical skills by comparing and contrasting films through the powerful lenses of equality and diversity, sustainability, transnationalism and identity. By applying your analytical skills to real-world scenarios, you will be able to evaluate the role of visual culture as a catalyst for social change as it shapes national socio-political narratives and reimagines history through the compelling medium of visual storytelling.
The module is assessed via a presentation project and coursework essay.
Topics covered
- Italian Neorealism
- French New Wave
- Francophone cinema
- New Latin American cinema
- Activist cinema