Time Schedule:
Galya Diment
RUSS 423
Seattle Campus
Early Russian, Soviet, and post-Soviet film. Featured filmmakers include Sergei Eisenstein, Dziga Vertov, Vsevold Pudovkin, and others. Focuses on critical materials pertaining to filmmaking and film theory.
Class description
The course explores early Russian and Soviet Film, from Evgeny Bauer to Sergei Eisenstein, Vsevolod Pudovkin, and Dziga Vertov, arguably the most creative, innovative, and successful years in all of world movie history. All films carry English inter/sub/titles. Readings will include works written by the directors themselves. We will spend two weeks on Bauer (1865-1917) and pre-revolutionary Russian silent film in general; three weeks on Eisenstein; three weeks on Pudovkin, and two on Dziga Vertov.
Required Books (All at the UBookstore):
------------------- Title: Early Cinema In Russia And Its Cultural Reception Author: Tsivian, Yuri ISBN: Publisher: University Of Chicago Press PubYr: 1991 ------------------- Title: The Magic Mirror: Moviemaking In Russia Author: Youngblood, Denise ISBN: Publisher: University Of Wisconsin Press PubYr: 1999 ------------------- Title: The Eisenstein Reader Author: Ed. By Richard Taylor ISBN: Publisher: British Film Institute PubYr: 2008 ------------------- Title: Vsevolod Pudovkin, Selected Essays Author: Ed. By Richard Taylor ISBN: Publisher: Seagul Books PubYr: 2006 ------------------- Title: Dziga Vertov, Kino-eye: The Writings Of Dziga Vertov Author: Ed. By Annete Michelson ISBN: Publisher: UC Press PubYr: 1984
Student learning goals
General method of instruction
Lectures, discussions (MW); film viewing (F -- attendance required; it's a regular class session).
Recommended preparation
No prerequisites. All readings and discussions are in English. All films have English inter/sub/titles. Students who can are encouraged to read the materials, whenever available, in Russian.
Class assignments and grading
Reading, viewing and analyzing films; a take-home midterm, and a ten-page paper at the end.
Class participation 20%; Midterm 30%; Final (10 pp. paper) 50%
