In an essay that considers how mainstream films construct historical worlds, historian Robert Rosenstone identifies six characteristics of the commercial historical film: the reliance upon a linear story that ends with a moral message; the emphasis on individuals; the privilege given to a single interpretation; the heightening of emotional states; the "look" of the past; and the interweaving of historical processes often broken apart in written history. (Visions of the Past, Chapter 2, esp. pp. 54-61).
Write a eight-to-ten page essay that critically applies Rosenstone's argument to ONE of the following four films:
Burn! (1969)
The Motorcycle Diaries (2004)
Before Night Falls (2001)
Death and the Maiden (1995)
The assigned reading, in-class handouts, and/or DVD bonus material offer important background on the historical story (i.e. what is the narrative about), the historical context film (i.e. when was the film made; what kind of society produced the film), and the production history (i.e. how did the film come to be). These complementary materials provide important material for your paper.
It is important to recognize that two of these films (Burn! and Death and the Maiden) are entirely fictional; The Motorcycle Diaries and Before Night Falls are "based on a true story," but each is a commercialized adaptation of a personal memoir. It is, therefore, important that you resist the temptation to analyze solely on the question of accuracy and reality. All four films contain certain falsehoods and distortions. Work from the premise that even though your selected film is, at least in part, a work of dramatic interpretation, a "real" historical setting is intrinsic to the story and message of the film. Again, refer back to the assigned readings for the information on the historical setting.
In keeping with Rosenstone's approach, alongside the problems of accuracy versus dramatization, consider the moral message of the selected film, the narrative structure, character development, and the cinematic techniques and devices (editing, scoring, cinematography) that allow these works of cinema to shape your understanding(s) of a specific place and time in the past.
The paper is due at the end of the business day on Monday, August 22, 2005. Your paper should follow all the conventional formatting guidelines (i.e. typed; double-spaced; reasonable margins and fonts; stapled; numbered pages). Binders are not necessary. Late papers will be subject to the late policy stated in the syllabus. Rough drafts are welcome, but must be turned in by the last day of class.