SPRING 2004 HONORS SEMINAR:
FILM AND IDEOLOGY IN MODERN SPAIN (Prof. Cibreiro)

Through the analysis and exploration of 13 Spanish films produced between 1928 and 2000, students will have the opportunity to learn about the major social and political transformations that have taken place in 20th century Spain. The main focus of the course will be to explore the ways in which Spanish directors have used their artistic freedom (or lack thereof), how they have dealt with censorship, and how they have responded artistically to an often hostile political environment. We will study both the techniques employed by directors during the Franco dictatorship to evade censorship as well as the extreme artistic openness adopted by directors working in total freedom during the democracy. The films selected address fundamental issues in the culture of 20th century Spain, such as the political division brought about by the 1936-1939 Civil War, the role of the Catholic church, the disintegration of the traditional family, the transformation of gender roles, and the process of liberalization in the new democracy. Even though the reality depicted in the films is that of modern Spain, the themes and topics (religious, moral, sexual, political, and ethical) are often universal and relevant to the students' own environment. The course is thus cross-cultural in nature and it is intended, not only to teach students about Spanish culture and film, but also to deal with broader contemporary issues such as political repression, artistic integrity, and social responsibility. The chronological format of the course is intended to provide the students with a solid background in Spanish modern history, from the pre-dictatorship years (before 1939), to the Franco military regime (1939-1975), and the democracy (1975-present). Films include: Un Chien Andalou, The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie, Nazarin, The Hunt, Cria, Goya in Bordeaux, How To Be a Woman and Not Die in the Attempt, Butterfly.