Gypsies in Film
Film Reviews
With the exception of Week One, each Wednesday students will hand in an analytic review that connects the film to the readings and lectures. Reviews are no less than two pages, double-spaced. The review is not a summary, but an examination and distillation of key themes throughout the readings, lectures, and films. Good reviews examine the assumptions and implications of the films compared/contrasted to the readings and lectures. In addition, as the semester progresses, reviews should read across the texts and lectures. Students should aim to be very specific and cite all passages and concepts. Ideally, students will also draw from the previous Friday’s class discussion of the week’s film.
Final Paper
The final paper is detailed in the syllabus as follows:
The final paper should be a minimum of eight double-spaced pages not including the works cited or title page with one-inch margins. The final paper is an opportunity to pull together and demonstrate what you have learned from the lectures, readings and films. No outside research is required. You will use your reviews, lecture and reading notes, and the films to synthesize and analyze how filmmakers represent the Roma, why filmmakers choose to characterize Roma the way they do, and how characters compare to Romani realities. You can do this in one of several ways:
1.Compare and contrast two films. Analyze the differences and similarities in which the director(s) represented the Romani characters in the film. Consider why the Roma are depicted in specific ways. What is the director’s background? Who is the target audience of the film? Were Roma involved in the making of the film?
2.Discuss the overall ways in which Roma are characterized in mainstream film. Think about what you knew of the Roma at the beginning of the semester. How does the film world create or enforce Romani stereotypes and reality? Choose at least four films from class. You may also include films we did not view in class in addition to those we did. A list of recommended films is included at the end of this syllabus.
3.Focus on one specific theme, such as the discrimination or music. Discuss how films follow that theme and what relationship the films have to reality. Use at least three films.
4.Compare the work of Tony Gatlif with that of non-Roma filmmaker(s). How does Gatlif’s background influence the making of his films? Does he have an advantage or disadvantage over other filmmakers? Do you think his background as a Roma makes his work biased as compared to other directors?
5.You may also choose your own topic. However, I must approve your topic before October 17.
Students have the option of turning in a draft for comments before final submission.
Final Exam
The final exam consists of essay questions from which students must choose two and write a clear, cohesive response.
Choose two of the following essay questions and right a clear and cohesive essay.
1.Hancock argues that, in film, Gypsies are used to add color and not plot development. Consider the films you have viewed this semester and make a case for or against this statement.
2.Borenstein writes, “the hostility toward Gypsies is much less shocking and scandalous to an American audience, since most Americans probably have only a vague sense of Gypsies as a mythical rather than an actual people. Indeed, one could almost imagine Borat convincing yet another crowd of midwestern yokels that the Gypsies were only narrowly defeated by Frodo and his Fellowship somewhere between Mordor and Lothlorien.” Given the alien nature Roma have in American culture, are films like Borat be harmful or helpful?
3.Dina lordanova distinguishes two trends in recent films from the Balkans featuring Romani themes: predominantly documentary films, which intend to 'correct the record' by setting images of exploited Romanies in opposition to prejudiced media images, and films that 'celebrate the non-conventional' by exoticizing and idealizing Romani lifestyles. Why would filmmakers wish to exoticize and idealize the Roma? What does it accomplish? Provide some examples of exoticization in the films we watched in class. What are the alternatives? How would mainstream audiences receive those alternatives?
4.Music is a common theme throughout Romani films. What are the different ways in which music was used in the films in this course? What was the director’s purpose in presenting music that way?
Assignments
