The Films of Michel Gondry

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004), starring Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet


The Science of Sleep (2006), starring Gael García Bernal and Charlotte Gainsbourg


Be Kind Rewind, starring Jack Black and Mos Def

The Commercials of Michel Gondry

Air France


BMW


Coca-Cola


Gap


Levi's


Polaroid

The Music Videos of Michel Gondry

"Carol Brown" by Flight of the Conchords (2009)


"Cellphone's Dead" by Beck (2006)


"Fell in Love With a Girl" by The White Stripes (2002)


"Mad World" by Gary Jules (2004)


"I Wonder" by The Willowz (2004)


"Let Forever Be" by The Chemical Brothers (1999)


"Hyperballad" by Bjork (1996)

"With One Look" from the stage musical, Sunset Boulevard

Like the film, the musical stage version of Sunset Boulevard is about a has-been silent movie star named, Norma Desmond. In it, an obsessed Norma plots her grand comeback—the one, she is convinced, her fans have been begging for. Unfortunately, the new Hollywood establishment is less than enthusiastic about the prospect of an aged silent-era star coming back.

In this song, an impassioned Norma, played on Broadway by Glenn Close, sings about why silent film acting was so powerful—and why she was its greatest star.

“With One Look” from Sunset Boulevard
Lyrics by Don Black and Christopher Hampton; Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber

With one look I can break your heart
With one look I play every part
I can make your sad heart sing
With one look you'll know all you need to know

With one smile I'm the girl next door
Or the love that you've hungered for
When I speak it's with my soul
I can play any role

No words can tell the stories my eyes tell
Watch me when I frown, you can't write that down
You know I'm right, it's there in black and white
When I look your way, you'll hear what I say

Yes, with one look I put words to shame
Just one look sets the screen aflame

Silent music starts to play
One tear in my eye makes the whole world cry

With one look they'll forgive the past
They'll rejoice I've returned at last
To my people in the dark
Still out there in the dark...

Silent music starts to play
With one look you'll know all you need to know

With one look I'll ignite a blaze
I'll return to my glory days
They'll say, "Norma's back at last!"

This time I am staying, I'm staying for good
I'll be back to where I was born to be
With one look I'll be me!

Week 12- In The Director's Chair: Mavericks of Cinema

If only one of Charles Chaplin's films could be preserved,
City Lights would come the closest to representing all the
different notes of his genius. It contains the slapstick, the pathos,
the pantomime, the effortless physical coordination, the
melodrama, the bawdiness, the grace, and, of course, the Little
Tramp--the character said, at one time, to be the most

famous image on earth.

-Roger Ebert in his review of City Lights

M 5.4/W 5.6
Lecture: The Films of Charlie Chaplin—An Overview
Screening: City Lights (Chaplin, 1931 USA)

Week 11- Chills and Thrills: Horror Films

My name is Robert Hawkins. It's 6:42 AM on Saturday, May 23rd.
Approximately seven hours ago, some thing attacked the city.
I don't know what it is. If you found this tape, I mean if
you're watching this right now, then you probably know more about it
than I do. Whatever it is, it killed my brother Jason Hawkins,
it killed my best friend Hudson Platt and Marlena Diamond,
and many many others. We've crashed into Central Park
and we've taken shelter underneath this bridge. The military has
begun bombing the creature and we're caught in the middle...

-Michael Stahl-David as Rob in Cloverfield

M 4.27/W 4.29
Lecture: Classics of Horror—An Overview
Screening: Cloverfield (Reeves, 2008 USA)

Suggested Auteurship Paper Outline

Here is a suggested outline for your auteur research paper:

Part 1: The Introduction
Your introduction should be at least one page long. Remember to have a strong thesis on which to ground your paper. In other words, what is it you want to say about this director? Whatever it is, say it here simply and clearly.

Part 2: Auteur Theory
In this brief section, discuss what auteur theory is and how it applies to your director. Also, identify the three areas on which you will be concentrating (i.e. setting, theme, characterization).

Part 3: The Biography
Begin exploring your director’s life and work experience. Use your director's specific biographical evidence to support your thesis.

Part 4: The Films
Now that you’ve discussed what auteur theory is (and why it applies) and explored some of your director’s personal and professional history, its time to examine the films themselves. You must examine at least three films in this section. Remember, keep film summaries to a minimum and keep your analysis focused. Your task here is to draw connections between "the life" and "the work."

Part 5: The Analysis
In this section, you begin to "connect the dots" about your director's work and life; here is where you explore your findings. For example, what reasonable assumptions can be drawn about your director? What conclusions have you come to? What does an examination of the life and work reveal about the director as a person?

Part 6: The Conclusion
Your closing should be about one page. Remember to reword your thesis, and summarize your findings about your director. In concluding, inform the reader about your insights into the director. Keep in mind, there should be no new information in your closing.