Film and Revolution (P4100A)

15 credits, Level 6

Spring teaching

This module explores the connection between revolutions and the development of film language. You’ll study radical and revolutionary film movements throughout history and focus on modern revolutionary expression, particularly from 2011 onwards in the Middle East and North Africa. Films and movements will be examined through the lenses of aesthetics, ideology, politics, and history.

Questions we’ll explore include:

• what makes a film revolutionary?
• how can filmmakers capture the many sides of revolution?
• are films about revolution always revolutionary themselves?

You’ll analyse films that emerged from key historical movements, learning about history through film and film through history. Past films studied include:

• Battle of Algiers (Gillo Pontecorvo, Italy, 1966)
• October (Sergei Eisenstein, USSR, 1928)
• Born in Flames (Lizzie Borden, USA, 1983)
• Memories of Underdevelopment (Tomas Gutierrez Alea, Cuba, 1968)
• Out on the Street (Jasmina Metwaly and Philip Rizk, Egypt, 2015)

 

We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2026/27. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum.

We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.

Courses

This module is offered on the following courses:

• American Studies and Film Studies (with a study abroad year) BA
• Art History and Film Studies BA
• Drama and Film Studies BA
• Drama, Theatre and Performance BA
• English and Film Studies BA
• Film Studies BA
• Filmmaking BA