The Class - Entres Les Murs

The Class (Entres Les Mur - Laurent Cantet, France, 2008, 128min)

On the final day of the Institute, we joined Ara to disucss themes surrounding Pedagogy, Postcolonialism, Ethnic and Racial Difference, Immigration and Diaspora, the Role of Language, Ethics, Authorship and Performance.

Bonus Material: In This World

Check out clips shown in Thursday's lecture below:

-The Immigrant (Charlie Chaplin,1917)
-The Godfather Part II (Francis Ford Coppala,1974) - Immigration scene
-The Terminal (Steven Spielberg, 2004)
-Golden Door (Emanuele Crialese, 2006)
-Amira Al Sharif, Photojournalist from Yemen's photographs of Women in the U.S.

Companion Resource: Crossing Boundaries

Which Way Home (Rebecca Camissa, USA, 90 Mins)

Which Way Home, referenced in Thursday's lecture, was an Oscar Nominee for Best Documentary directed by Rebecca Camissa. The film follows several unaccompanied child migrants as they journey through Mexico en route to the U.S. on a freight train they call “ The Beast.”

On Sontag: Regarding the Pain of Others

Sontag's overall statement is that she rejects the idea, one posed by herself and others in the past, that the over saturation of images reduce their power. Instead she posits that it is not the amount of imagery, or the horror of those images but the lack of agency around how to respond.

Instead she argues for the ethics of looking - Asking Questions, such as

Who caused what the picture shows?
Who is responsible?
Was it inevitable?
Is it excusable?
Is there some state of affairs which we have accepted up to now that ought to be challenged?

She goes on to say that these questions and what they raise, do not in themselves provide courses of "action." Just as empathy or compassion in themselves do not result in knowing how to respond.

Therefore, I would ask,

What is the role of empathy as it pertains to the construction of the image?

-Holen Sabrina Kahn

In This World

In This World (Michael Winterbottom, UK, 2003, 88min)

On day four of the Institute, we focused on Crossing Boundaries: Migration/Immigration; Constructions of geography and difference; Identity and reflections on self;  Agency of subject and viewer; and Narratives of desire with Holen Sabrina Kahn.

Also included in these discussions were ideas around war, displacement, asylum, and refuge.

Bonus Material: Sugar & Zidane

Directors Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck on Sugar

Zidane: A 21st Century Portrait (Anna Lena Films, France, 2006, 90 min)

Companion Resource: Process & Labor

These micro-documentary films by Laura Kissel focus on ideas around labor, encounter and humanity in contemporary China; while primarily about process, they are useful for class discussions concerning themes of labor and livelihood.

-Window Cleaning
-Heddling
-Cotton Road

Bonus Material: Last Train Home

Last Train Home (Lixin Fan, Canada/ China, 85 min)

For more information on the film, check out these sites:

-Last Train Home Official Website
-AVClub
-NPR
-NYTimes

Still Life (Shania Haoren, China, 2006, 111min)

Also referenced in Wednesday's class were the films Still Life (Sanxia Haoren)







and





Up the Yangtze (Yung Chang, Canada, 2007, 93min)

Up the Yangtze (Yung Chang).You can find clips of these films here.

Manufactured Landscapes (NFB, Canada, 2006, 80min)

Additionally, we've added a clip of Manufactured Landscapes, a documentary on Edward Burtynsky's photography, also referenced in today's discussion.

Watch This: The Danger of a Single Story

Chimamanda Adichie: The Danger of a Single Story (19 min)

Last Train Home

Morning Screening: Last Train Home (Lixin Fan, Canada/ China, 85 min)

On Wednesday, we join Ara to examine themes of Migration, Labor, Globalization, Individual vs. Collective, Images of Asia, Orientalism, Photography, and Capitalism.

Talk Back

What are the challenges of the "gaze" if you are not of the dominant perspective? Why is being aware of this relevant to your classroom discussions?
We're eager to hear from you. Share your thoughts.

Watch This: Opening of When We Were Kings

When We Were Kings (Leon Gast, US, 1996, 89min)

Sugar

Morning Screening: Sugar (Anna Boden & Ryan Fleck, US. 2008, 120min)

Today we will explore Identity & Iconography in Unconventional Sports Narratives with Sean Weiner.
-View, print and/or download the readings for Tuesday's discussion here.

Talk Back

What constitutes a responsible, ethical, complex and respectful image of others?
We're eager to hear from you. Share your thoughts.

Nothing But a Man

Afternoon Screening: Nothing But a Man (Michael Roemer and Robert Young, US, 1964, 95 min)

On day one of the Institute, we explore the History of Racial Representation in American Cinema, Realism, Gender, and Authorship with Dr. Ara Osterweil.

-Course outline now available, please review in STI 2011 and check out Monday's readings here.

Welcome to STI's 2011 Blog!

I hope you’ve all been enjoying your summer and are looking forward to next week. I know we certainly are! This year, for the first time, we’re going to use Blogger as a teaching tool for communication.

You are encouraged to use this site for program updates, to access readings, and post comments and reflections. The main navigation tool bar above says “STI 2011,” “Readings,” and “Clips,” which as the titles suggest contain the STI 2011 course description and course outline, as well as the readings and selected clips for the entire week. The readings are to be done after each day’s lesson--so, the reading titled “Monday” should be read on Monday evening. You do not need to read anything in advance of Monday morning. We’ll be using the Blogger site to upload additional readings, materials, handouts, and even video clips when appropriate. Please check this site regularly!

Transportation

The JBFC is providing a FREE shuttle bus from Pace University, which is about ¼ mile from the JBFC Theater. You are encouraged to use the shuttle bus as parking in Pleasantville is very limited. While metered parking is available it is approximately for periods of one to three hours. In the "Parking/Directions" section on the menu bar you will find the detailed information about the shuttle bus and parking.

Schedule

The Institute runs from July 25-29 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with a break for lunch from 12-12:45 pm.

Lunch

You are responsible for providing your own lunch. There are a number of delis, cafes and restaurants within walking distance of the JBFC Theater. If you wish to bring your lunch, you are welcome to eat in the Jane Peck Gallery, on the third floor of the Theater, with the exception of Friday, when this space will not be available.

Course Credit

We will provide you with certification demonstrating your successful completion of the Institute on Friday afternoon. Please remember to sign in every day.

What to Bring

Our expectation is to keep the program interactive and discussion-based; however, there will be some segments of lecture. You are welcome to bring materials to take notes, although this is up to your discretion and personal preference. All the readings will be available through Blogger.

I’m looking forward to a fantastic week with all of you. Many thanks for your interest

Best regards,

Emily Keating
Director of Education Programs