The course offers the students a panoramic view of the most representative Spanish films from a historical point of view, with special emphasis on the social, political, artistic and cultural context. As well as the specific contents of the period with regards to authors, films and genre, students will be taught to understand the cinema phenomenon and its introduction into contemporary Spanish society and therefore includes the social and cultural backdrop (cinema policy, subject matter, filming, production and showing …). The period covered is from 1960 to 2012 and, in general terms, is intended as an introduction to Spanish film.
Prerequisites:
General knowledge of Spanish history and culture in the XX century. Elementary knowledge of audiovisual narration, aesthetics and cinematographical analysis. General understanding of the Spanish language is required in order to watch the films and understand them, as there are not many productions available edited with subtitles.
Learning outcomes:
The objective of this course is to ensure that by the end of it, the students know and understand Spanish films from 1960 to the present day, emphasising the role of the State in the development of Spanish film, in addition to the action of the censors from a political, moral, religious, economic and creative point of view.
The texts that the students have to read will allow them to study in depth, analyse and debate the questions posed in the classroom. The student will have the opportunity to express him/herself in front of the rest of the class and discuss with the instructor any doubts arising from the topics.
Method of presentation:
At each session, the instructor will provide an introduction to the historical, social and cultural context and will use films from each of the periods analysed in order to facilitate a better understanding of film production. The showing of the films will help students understand how narration takes place in Spanish films and the subjects dealt with in Spanish film.
Student participation is essential in order to see to what extent they can understand films from another country. The students will have to read the general text provided by the instructor beforehand in order to have the precise information they need on the subject matter, which will enable them to join in spontaneously with their comments, and respond to suggestions and ideas transmitted in class.
The sessions will be continuous, with no breaks; after the presentation, the selected film will be shown. After they have seen it, the students will discuss what they have seen and the instructor will add to the comments made.
Required work and form of assessment:
Assessment will take into account the following aspects:
a) Attendance, attention and participation in class.
b) Capacity to understand the subjects broached.
c) Analysis of the fragments and films shown.
d) Critical appraisal of the recommended readings.
e) Written work set by the instructor.
f) Other complementary films watched.
The overall mark will be awarded as per the following percentages:
1. Written partial exam. The students will answer a general topic question related to the matters discussed in class and the films included in the first half of the programme. (30 % of the overall mark).
2. Attendance and participation in class. Punctuality and attendance are important. Students are reminded that only one unjustified absence is permitted (3 hours of class) and that, as of the fourth hour, the partial and final marks will be docked proportionally. (10 % of the overall mark).
3. Commentaries on the compulsory reading items (one general text and four articles). The instructor will, as established in the programme, indicate which texts are to be read by the students and how the précis is to be made. (30% of the overall mark).
4. Final written exam on the films seen and those seen by the students on their own, as well as the topics discussed and debated in class. (30% of the overall mark).
content:
Session 1:
Presentation of the course: objectives, methodology, basic concepts and assessment. Artistic, social, industrial and cultural dimension of Spanish film.
Selection of introductory images: 1896-1960.
Reading of the text “Brief history of Spanish film” (placed on the Virtual Campus by the Instructor). Compulsory reading for class commentary each day. This text contains a brief summary of what the students have to learn throughout the course.
Session 2:
Spanish films of the sixties I:
Film to be shown in class: Viridiana (1961), by Luis Buñuel.
Students are to also watch one of these films (DVD available from the IES Secretariate): Plácido (1961), by Luis García Berlanga; Bienvenido, Mr. Marshall (1961), by Luis García Berlanga; Atraco a las tres (1962), by José María Forqué.
Session 3:
Spanish films of the sixties II:
Film to be shown in class: El verdugo (1963), by Luis García Berlanga.
Students are also to watch one of these films (DVD available from IES Secretariate): La Caza (1965), by Carlos Saura; El extraño viaje (1964), by Fernando Fernán Gómez; Tristana (1969), by Luis Buñuel.
Compulsory reading of the text “Por un cine español”, by Santiago Sánchez (placed on the Virtual Campus by the Instructor). Pupils are to make a 2-page appraisal of this text.
Session 4:
Spanish film during the political transition I
Film shown in class: El espíritu de la colmena (1973), by Víctor Erice.
The students are to also watch one of these films (DVD available from IES Secretariate): Mi querida señorita (1971), by Jaime de Armiñán; No desearás al vecino del 5º (1970), by Ramón Fernández; Queridísimos verdugos (1973), by Basilio Martín Patino.
Session 5:
Spanish film during the political transition II:
Film shown in class: Pascual Duarte (1976), by Ricardo Franco.
The students are also to watch one of these films (DVD available from IES Secretariate): Furtivos (1975), by José Luis Borau; El pícaro (1974), by Fernando Fernán Gómez; Operación Ogro (1979), by Guillo Pontecorvo.
Compulsory text “¿Dónde está el enemigo del cine español?” (placed on the Virtual Campus by the Instructor). Students are to make a 2-page appraisal of the text.
Session 6:
Spanish film in the eighties I:
Film shown in class: Opera prima (1980), by Fernando Trueba.
The students are also to watch one of these films (DVD available from IES Secretariate): Mujeres al borde de un ataque de nervios (1987), by Pedro Almodóvar; El crack (1980), by José Luis Garci; Demonios en el jardín (1982), by Manuel Gutiérrez Aragón
Session 7:
Spanish film in the eighties II:
Film shown in class: Los santos inocentes (1984), by Mario Camus.
The students are also to watch one of these films (DVD available from IES Secretariate): La colmena (1982), by Mario Camus; El viaje a ninguna parte (1986), by Fernando Fernán Gómez.
Compulsory reading: text “La fragilidad comunicativa del cine español” (placed on the Virtual Campus by the Instructor). Students are to write a 2-page appraisal of the text.
Session 8:
The generation of the nineties I:
Film shown in class: Tesis (1996), by Alejandro Amenábar.
The students are also to watch one of these films (DVD available from IES Secretariate): El día de la bestia (1995), by Alex de la Iglesia; La buena estrella (1997), by Ricardo Franco; Cuando vuelvas a mi lado (1999), by Gracia Querejeta.
Session 9:
The generation of the nineties II:
Film shown in class: La niña de tus ojos (1998), by Fernando Trueba (OVwS).
The students are also to watch one of these films (DVD available from IES Secretariate): Hola, estás sola? (1995), by Iciar Bollain; Todo sobre mi madre (1999), by Pedro Almodóvar.
Compulsory reading “La producción de cine en España en la década de los 90” (placed on the Virtual Campus by the Instructor). Students are to write a 2-page appraisal of the text.
Session 10:
Spanish film today I:
Film seen in class: La caja 507 (2002), by Enrique Urbizu.
The students are also to watch one of these films (DVD available from IES Secretariate): El bola (2000), by Achero Mañas; Te doy mis ojos (2003), by Iciar Bollaín; En construcción (2001), by José Luis Guerín.
Session 11:
Spanish film today II:
Film seen in class: La caja Kovak (2006), by Daniel Monzón (OVwS).
The students are also to watch one of these films (DVD available from IES Secretariate): Un franco, 14 pesetas (2005), by Carlos Iglesias; Azul oscuro casi negro (2006), by Daniel Sánchez Arévalo.
García Fernández, Emilio C.: “¿Dónde está el enemigo del cine español?”, en Alonso García, Luis (Coord.): Once miradas sobre la crisis y el cine español. Madrid. Ocho y Medio. 2003. ISBN: 84-95839-43-1. (Article). Consult and read at: http://www.axenciaaudiovisualgalega.org/ficheros/664_1.pdf
García Fernández, Emilio C.: “La fragilidad comunicativa del cine español”. V Foro de Investigación en Comunicación. “La Comunicación: nuevos discursos y perspectivas”. Madrid. 24 de noviembre de 2003. ISBN: 84-88365-15-2. (Discourse). Consult and read at: http://www.axenciaaudiovisualgalega.org/ficheros/672_1.pdf
García Fernández, Emilio C.: “La producción de cine en España en la década de los 90”. VII ciclo de Otoño de Comunicación. Madrid. 10 de diciembre de 2003. ISBN: 84-608-0176-4. (Discourse). Consult and read at: http://www.axenciaaudiovisualgalega.org/ficheros/721_1.pdf
Recommended readings:
BOOKS
García Fernández, Emilio C.: Historia ilustrada del Cine Español. 1985. Barcelona. Planeta. ISBN: 84-320-6552-8.
García Fernández, Emilio C.: Cine español: una propuesta didáctica. 1992. CILHE. Barcelona. ISBN: 84-87411- 20-7.
García Fernández, Emilio C.: El cine español contemporáneo. 1992. CILHE. Barcelona. ISBN: 84-87411-25-8.
García Fernández, Emilio C. (Coord.): Memoria viva del cine español. 1998. Academia de las Artes y las Ciencias Cinematográficas de España. (Cuadernos de la Academia, nº 2). Madrid. ISSN: 1138-2562.
García Fernández, Emilio C. y otros: Enciclopedia del cine español. Madrid. Micronet. 1996. Publicación en CD-Rom.
Alonso, Luis: Once miradas sobre la crisis y el cine español. 2003. AEHC/Ocho y medio Ediciones. Madrid. ISBN: 84-95839-43-1.
Borau, José Luis: Diccionario del cine español. 1998. Alianza Editorial. Madrid. ISBN: 84-206-5257-1.
Deltell Escolar, Luis: Madrid en el cine de la década de los cincuenta. Madrid. Ayuntamiento de Madrid. 2006.
Gubern, Román (et alt), Historia del cine español, Cátedra, Madrid, 1995.
Mínguez, Norberto (Coord.): Literatura española y cine. 2002. Editorial Complutense. Madrid. ISBN: 84-7491-681-X.
Pérez Perucha, Julio (Dir.): Antología crítica del cine español. 1906-1995. 1998. AEHC/Filmoteca Española. Madrid. ISBN: 84-376-1597-6.
Sánchez Noriega, José Luis, Historia del Cine, Madrid, Alianza, 2002.
The course offers the students a panoramic view of the most representative Spanish films from a historical point of view, with special emphasis on the social, political, artistic and cultural context. As well as the specific contents of the period with regards to authors, films and genre, students will be taught to understand the cinema phenomenon and its introduction into contemporary Spanish society and therefore includes the social and cultural backdrop (cinema policy, subject matter, filming, production and showing …). The period covered is from 1960 to 2012 and, in general terms, is intended as an introduction to Spanish film.
General knowledge of Spanish history and culture in the XX century. Elementary knowledge of audiovisual narration, aesthetics and cinematographical analysis. General understanding of the Spanish language is required in order to watch the films and understand them, as there are not many productions available edited with subtitles.
The objective of this course is to ensure that by the end of it, the students know and understand Spanish films from 1960 to the present day, emphasising the role of the State in the development of Spanish film, in addition to the action of the censors from a political, moral, religious, economic and creative point of view.
The texts that the students have to read will allow them to study in depth, analyse and debate the questions posed in the classroom. The student will have the opportunity to express him/herself in front of the rest of the class and discuss with the instructor any doubts arising from the topics.
At each session, the instructor will provide an introduction to the historical, social and cultural context and will use films from each of the periods analysed in order to facilitate a better understanding of film production. The showing of the films will help students understand how narration takes place in Spanish films and the subjects dealt with in Spanish film.
Student participation is essential in order to see to what extent they can understand films from another country. The students will have to read the general text provided by the instructor beforehand in order to have the precise information they need on the subject matter, which will enable them to join in spontaneously with their comments, and respond to suggestions and ideas transmitted in class.
The sessions will be continuous, with no breaks; after the presentation, the selected film will be shown. After they have seen it, the students will discuss what they have seen and the instructor will add to the comments made.
Assessment will take into account the following aspects:
a) Attendance, attention and participation in class.
b) Capacity to understand the subjects broached.
c) Analysis of the fragments and films shown.
d) Critical appraisal of the recommended readings.
e) Written work set by the instructor.
f) Other complementary films watched.
The overall mark will be awarded as per the following percentages:
1. Written partial exam. The students will answer a general topic question related to the matters discussed in class and the films included in the first half of the programme. (30 % of the overall mark).
2. Attendance and participation in class. Punctuality and attendance are important. Students are reminded that only one unjustified absence is permitted (3 hours of class) and that, as of the fourth hour, the partial and final marks will be docked proportionally. (10 % of the overall mark).
3. Commentaries on the compulsory reading items (one general text and four articles). The instructor will, as established in the programme, indicate which texts are to be read by the students and how the précis is to be made. (30% of the overall mark).
4. Final written exam on the films seen and those seen by the students on their own, as well as the topics discussed and debated in class. (30% of the overall mark).
Session 1:
Presentation of the course: objectives, methodology, basic concepts and assessment. Artistic, social, industrial and cultural dimension of Spanish film.
Selection of introductory images: 1896-1960.
Reading of the text “Brief history of Spanish film” (placed on the Virtual Campus by the Instructor). Compulsory reading for class commentary each day. This text contains a brief summary of what the students have to learn throughout the course.
Session 2:
Spanish films of the sixties I:
Film to be shown in class: Viridiana (1961), by Luis Buñuel.
Students are to also watch one of these films (DVD available from the IES Secretariate): Plácido (1961), by Luis García Berlanga; Bienvenido, Mr. Marshall (1961), by Luis García Berlanga; Atraco a las tres (1962), by José María Forqué.
Session 3:
Spanish films of the sixties II:
Film to be shown in class: El verdugo (1963), by Luis García Berlanga.
Students are also to watch one of these films (DVD available from IES Secretariate): La Caza (1965), by Carlos Saura; El extraño viaje (1964), by Fernando Fernán Gómez; Tristana (1969), by Luis Buñuel.
Compulsory reading of the text “Por un cine español”, by Santiago Sánchez (placed on the Virtual Campus by the Instructor). Pupils are to make a 2-page appraisal of this text.
Session 4:
Spanish film during the political transition I
Film shown in class: El espíritu de la colmena (1973), by Víctor Erice.
The students are to also watch one of these films (DVD available from IES Secretariate): Mi querida señorita (1971), by Jaime de Armiñán; No desearás al vecino del 5º (1970), by Ramón Fernández; Queridísimos verdugos (1973), by Basilio Martín Patino.
Session 5:
Spanish film during the political transition II:
Film shown in class: Pascual Duarte (1976), by Ricardo Franco.
The students are also to watch one of these films (DVD available from IES Secretariate): Furtivos (1975), by José Luis Borau; El pícaro (1974), by Fernando Fernán Gómez; Operación Ogro (1979), by Guillo Pontecorvo.
Compulsory text “¿Dónde está el enemigo del cine español?” (placed on the Virtual Campus by the Instructor). Students are to make a 2-page appraisal of the text.
Session 6:
Spanish film in the eighties I:
Film shown in class: Opera prima (1980), by Fernando Trueba.
The students are also to watch one of these films (DVD available from IES Secretariate): Mujeres al borde de un ataque de nervios (1987), by Pedro Almodóvar; El crack (1980), by José Luis Garci; Demonios en el jardín (1982), by Manuel Gutiérrez Aragón
Session 7:
Spanish film in the eighties II:
Film shown in class: Los santos inocentes (1984), by Mario Camus.
The students are also to watch one of these films (DVD available from IES Secretariate): La colmena (1982), by Mario Camus; El viaje a ninguna parte (1986), by Fernando Fernán Gómez.
Compulsory reading: text “La fragilidad comunicativa del cine español” (placed on the Virtual Campus by the Instructor). Students are to write a 2-page appraisal of the text.
Session 8:
The generation of the nineties I:
Film shown in class: Tesis (1996), by Alejandro Amenábar.
The students are also to watch one of these films (DVD available from IES Secretariate): El día de la bestia (1995), by Alex de la Iglesia; La buena estrella (1997), by Ricardo Franco; Cuando vuelvas a mi lado (1999), by Gracia Querejeta.
Session 9:
The generation of the nineties II:
Film shown in class: La niña de tus ojos (1998), by Fernando Trueba (OVwS).
The students are also to watch one of these films (DVD available from IES Secretariate): Hola, estás sola? (1995), by Iciar Bollain; Todo sobre mi madre (1999), by Pedro Almodóvar.
Compulsory reading “La producción de cine en España en la década de los 90” (placed on the Virtual Campus by the Instructor). Students are to write a 2-page appraisal of the text.
Session 10:
Spanish film today I:
Film seen in class: La caja 507 (2002), by Enrique Urbizu.
The students are also to watch one of these films (DVD available from IES Secretariate): El bola (2000), by Achero Mañas; Te doy mis ojos (2003), by Iciar Bollaín; En construcción (2001), by José Luis Guerín.
Session 11:
Spanish film today II:
Film seen in class: La caja Kovak (2006), by Daniel Monzón (OVwS).
The students are also to watch one of these films (DVD available from IES Secretariate): Un franco, 14 pesetas (2005), by Carlos Iglesias; Azul oscuro casi negro (2006), by Daniel Sánchez Arévalo.
García Fernández, Emilio C.: Breve historia del cine español (1896-2011). Reference text for the course which the instructor will place on the virtual campus. Consult and read chapter by chapter at (ISSN: 1989-8584): http://www.cineyletras.es/Historia-del-cine/historia-del-cine-espanol-una-cinematografia-desconocida.html
Sánchez González, Santiago: “Por un cine español”. Revista Área Abierta. Revistas Científicas Complutenses. Número 18 (2007). ISSN: 1578-8393. Consult and read at: http://revistas.ucm.es/index.php/ARAB/article/view/ARAB0707330001E/4146
García Fernández, Emilio C.: “La influencia del Estado en la cinematografía española” Revista Área Abierta. Revistas Científicas Complutenses. Número 15 (2006). ISSN: 1578-8393. Consult and read at:
http://revistas.ucm.es/index.php/ARAB/article/view/ARAB0606330001A/4161
García Fernández, Emilio C.: “¿Dónde está el enemigo del cine español?”, en Alonso García, Luis (Coord.): Once miradas sobre la crisis y el cine español. Madrid. Ocho y Medio. 2003. ISBN: 84-95839-43-1. (Article). Consult and read at: http://www.axenciaaudiovisualgalega.org/ficheros/664_1.pdf
García Fernández, Emilio C.: “La fragilidad comunicativa del cine español”. V Foro de Investigación en Comunicación. “La Comunicación: nuevos discursos y perspectivas”. Madrid. 24 de noviembre de 2003. ISBN: 84-88365-15-2. (Discourse). Consult and read at: http://www.axenciaaudiovisualgalega.org/ficheros/672_1.pdf
García Fernández, Emilio C.: “La producción de cine en España en la década de los 90”. VII ciclo de Otoño de Comunicación. Madrid. 10 de diciembre de 2003. ISBN: 84-608-0176-4. (Discourse). Consult and read at: http://www.axenciaaudiovisualgalega.org/ficheros/721_1.pdf
BOOKS
García Fernández, Emilio C.: Historia ilustrada del Cine Español. 1985. Barcelona. Planeta. ISBN: 84-320-6552-8.
García Fernández, Emilio C.: Cine español: una propuesta didáctica. 1992. CILHE. Barcelona. ISBN: 84-87411- 20-7.
García Fernández, Emilio C.: El cine español contemporáneo. 1992. CILHE. Barcelona. ISBN: 84-87411-25-8.
García Fernández, Emilio C. (Coord.): Memoria viva del cine español. 1998. Academia de las Artes y las Ciencias Cinematográficas de España. (Cuadernos de la Academia, nº 2). Madrid. ISSN: 1138-2562.
García Fernández, Emilio C. y otros: Enciclopedia del cine español. Madrid. Micronet. 1996. Publicación en CD-Rom.
Alonso, Luis: Once miradas sobre la crisis y el cine español. 2003. AEHC/Ocho y medio Ediciones. Madrid. ISBN: 84-95839-43-1.
Borau, José Luis: Diccionario del cine español. 1998. Alianza Editorial. Madrid. ISBN: 84-206-5257-1.
Deltell Escolar, Luis: Madrid en el cine de la década de los cincuenta. Madrid. Ayuntamiento de Madrid. 2006.
Gubern, Román (et alt), Historia del cine español, Cátedra, Madrid, 1995.
Mínguez, Norberto (Coord.): Literatura española y cine. 2002. Editorial Complutense. Madrid. ISBN: 84-7491-681-X.
Pérez Perucha, Julio (Dir.): Antología crítica del cine español. 1906-1995. 1998. AEHC/Filmoteca Española. Madrid. ISBN: 84-376-1597-6.
Sánchez Noriega, José Luis, Historia del Cine, Madrid, Alianza, 2002.
ARTICLES
Diagnosis of the crisis in the cinema
http://www.guzmanurrero.es/index.php/Cine/Diagnostico-de-un-cine-en-crisis.html
¿What problems does the Spanish cinema face?
http://www.guzmanurrero.es/index.php/Cine/En-torno-a-la-Ley-del-Cine.html
Regarding the “movida madrileña”
http://www.guzmanurrero.es/index.php/Musica/Claves-de-la-movida-madrilena-I.html
http://www.guzmanurrero.es/index.php/Musica/Claves-de-la-movida-madrilena-y-II.html
DATA BASES ON THE INTERNET AND NEWS SOURCES
www.mcu.es/cine/index.html (Data base of Instituto de la Cinematografía y de las Artes Audiovisuales. Ministerio de Cultura)
www.cervantesvirtual.com/portal/LGB (Portal for the Spanish film industry, Biblioteca Virtual Cervantes)
www.cineyletras.es (www.guzmanurrero.es)