Thoughts on Films - and Essays

Hi Everyone. I thought I'd post some very generic questions to focus on for tomorrow's discussion of Ten Canoes and Atanarjuat. Essay topics have been put on hold as far as the blog goes; I want to discuss them in class tomorrow, with everyone giving each other feedback. This is also because, unfortunately, our March 29th class will have to be cancelled. I will explain tomorrow.

So, generic questions to be used to think about films:

1. What is the film's story? What issues does it raise? Do these issues relate to some of the larger issues concerning oral traditions that we have been discussing in class? Has your opinion regarding oral literatures shifted since seeing the film? How does translation from spoken performance to film function, in contrast to moving from spoken performance to printed word?

2. What is significant about the film's content? What is there? What is not there?

3. Think about the film's style and cinematography. Does it have a unique look? How does the style of the film contribute to the film's message?

4. How does the film align us, as an audience, in terms of indigenous perspectives on oral tradition?

Possible Essay Ideas Coming

Okay folks, I am very behind in my ideas. I promise to post my thoughts on film, and possible essay ideas, by Sunday. In the meantime, keep on thinking!