HIST 319D
LATIN AMERICAN HISTORY AND FILM
Final Paper

Read the Preface and Introduction to Robert Brent Toplin's History by Hollywood. Pay close attention to pp. 13-22, where Toplin sets out a four-principle framework to analyze "the practice of cinematic history."

Choose ONE of the films screened in class (excluding Missing) and analyze the film using Toplin's four principles.

In analyzing the film according to Toplin's model, you will want to make reference to specific scenes, characters, dialogue, and plot devices that demonstrate the presence and significance of one or more of his principles. The analysis will draw upon information presented in the assigned readings and in-class discussion. Finally, the analysis might consider how staging, narration, genre, the history of the film's production, the film's relation to other texts, and audience reception help illustrate how Toplin's four principles of cinematic history are in play.

The relevance of each of the four principles will vary from one film to the next. It will be your judgement to determine which principles work well and which do not. It is not necessary to force connections that are not there. Instead, consider the overall balance of the four principles and how this balance influences your reading of the film as cinematic history.

You need not follow Toplin's precise vocabulary or ordering. That is, you may use terms other than "Artistic License," "Accenting Heroism," etc. You may discuss the concept of "Drawing Lessons" before you discuss the concept of "Artistic License." It is important, though, to discuss your chosen film in an analytical language that is faithful to the concepts put forth by Toplin.

Your analysis should be 7-8 pages in length (double-spaced, reasonable font and margins). Number the pages. You are asked to sign the Honor Pledge.

The paper is due at 4:00pm, Monday, August 4, 2003, in Tawes 2114, the David C. Driskell Center for the Study of the African Diaspora.