73052 - Cinema and Cultural Industry

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student is expected to know of the economic and cultural system of cinema. Ha can analyze and evaluate elements and codes of film culture in its contexts. He understands the most important historical phases of cinematographic art and recognizes the essential periods and the most important styles for future professional skills.

Course contents

The course addresses the definition of the historical field, analyzes the linguistic aspects of cinema, studies the system of genres, and illustrates the multiple dimensions of the cultural industry related to cinema, with a specific focus on the production and distribution chain of film products.

The course is divided into two modules, but it is important to note that the topics covered in each are interconnected, and there is no strict separation between the subjects addressed in each module. On the contrary, frequent connections and cross-references between the themes discussed in both modules will be made.

The first module, taught by Prof. Veronica Innocenti, will primarily focus on the following topics:

• Cultural industries

• The audiovisual industry

• The life cycle of a film product: from concept to distribution

• Film genres

• Professions in the audiovisual field

The second module, taught by Prof. Roy Menarini, will mainly cover the following subjects:

• Film techniques and languages

• Cinematic storytelling

• Film analysis

• The main phases of film history through key films from each period

Viewing the required filmography is mandatory for the course. Students are responsible for watching the listed films, which they can access through DVDs, streaming platforms, or other available channels.

 

Le voyage dans la Lune (1902)

Metropolis (1926)

Un chien andalou (1928)

Tempi moderni (1936)

Quarto potere (1941)

Roma città aperta (1945)

Bicycle Thieves (1948)

Rashomon (1950)

Rear Window (1954)

La strada (1954)

I 400 colpi (1959)

Fino all'ultimo respiro (1959)

La dolce vita (1960)

8 1/2 (1963)

Cléo dalle 5 alle 7 (1963)

Arancia meccanica (1971)

Pulp Fiction (1994)

Marie Antoinette (2006)

Avatar (2009)

La zona d'interesse (2023)

Readings/Bibliography

Andrea Bellavita, Andrea Bernardelli, Che cos’è la narrazione cinematografica, Carocci, Roma 2021

AAVV., 50 passi nella storia del cinema, Cuepress, Bologna 2018 (It is mandatory to study the film notes for the films on the syllabus; reading the others is also recommended to support a better understanding of the various periods in film history)

Study materials provided by the instructors on the Virtuale platform

Non-attending students must also complete the additional reading Erminia Ferrara, Giulia Fiore, Produrre per il cinema e l’audiovisivo. Dall’idea al mercato, UTET, Milano 2021

 

Teaching methods

The course consists of in-person lectures supported by slides, audiovisual materials, digital sources, and other resources shared with students. The lectures are intended to introduce key issues and provide foundational knowledge of the history, theory, and production and labor context of the film industry.

Students with Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) or temporary/permanent disabilities
It is strongly recommended that students promptly contact the University office responsible [https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/it ] as well as the course instructor, in order to jointly identify the most effective strategies for attending the course and/or preparing for the exam.

Assessment methods

The exam consists of a written test for all students, during which knowledge of the study materials and the required filmography will be assessed. No oral exams are scheduled.

The test is composed of 21 multiple-choice questions (worth 1 point each) and 2 open-ended questions (worth up to 5 points each).

For attending students, additional instructions regarding the exam materials will be provided during the lectures. An in-progress test is planned at the end of the first 30 hours of lectures (Prof. Innocenti’s module), followed by a final test at the end of the module taught by Prof. Menarini, both of which will be held in a special session reserved for attending students only.

IMPORTANT: Attending students who participate in certain activities proposed by the instructors (such as attending the Fellini Conference) will receive bonus points.

All students who are unable to attend the course or who do not pass the test reserved for attending students (although it is recommended) must take the exam for non-attending students, which includes an additional reading requirement.

Achieving a comprehensive understanding of the topics covered, the use of appropriate terminology, the ability to navigate film history, and the ability to connect cinema history to its social and cultural context will be evaluated with top marks. Textbook-level knowledge, basic analytical and summarizing skills, and generally correct—though not always precise—language will result in satisfactory marks. Gaps in knowledge or inappropriate language, as well as a weak grasp of film history and terminology, will lead to marks just above the passing threshold. Serious gaps in preparation, inadequate language, lack of familiarity with the bibliography, and inability to perform analysis will be evaluated negatively.

To take the exam, registration via AlmaEsami is required. Students who are not registered will not be admitted. The exam takes place in computer labs: to ensure optimal use of these facilities, registered students who decide not to attend must remove themselves from the list. Students must bring their Unibo credentials and a valid ID.

Students with Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) or temporary/permanent disabilities
Students are strongly encouraged to contact the University office responsible [https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/it ] in advance. The office will propose any necessary accommodations, which must be submitted for approval to the course instructor at least 15 days in advance, who will evaluate their appropriateness in light of the course’s learning objectives.

Teaching tools

The lectures will make use of the multimedia equipment available in the classrooms (computer, projector, media player), where available, to facilitate the collective viewing of materials relevant to the course, including full-length film screenings.

Office hours

See the website of Veronica Innocenti

See the website of Roy Menarini