Global Film Class will finishing up with one of my personal favorites, “Amelie.” Amelie, IMDB This 2001 French film is rated R for mild sexual situations. It is a semi-fantastical journey through life as seem by the innocent 20 something, Amelie. A fun and light hearted film to end this course on.

Igmar Bergman’s 1957 classic, “The Seventh Seal,” explores the conflict a knight returning from the Crusades feels with death. His home, Sweden is wracked by the Black Plague and he is engaged in a game of chess with death, personified. The film is rated PG. Here is a link to the IMDB site. The Seventh Seal IMDB Here is a link to the assignment attached to this film. The Seventh Seal Assignment

Students who were all caught up in Global Film class viewed “Children of Heaven” today, while students who were behind had a workday. “Children of Heaven” is an Iranian movie released in 1997 about a young boy who looses his sister’s only pair of shoes. He goes to great lengths to find them and well… I won’t spoil it for you.  The film was rated PG. The reasons I chose this film is that it is beautifully acted, has an unexpected ending, and gives an inside look of Iran- a country we rarely get to see here in the US. I would recommend it to anyone- it is very inspiring and moving. Here is a link to the IMDB site: Children of Heaven As this was an ‘extra,’ there will be no major assessment connected to this film.

A German exploration of the powers of fate versus chance, “Run, Lola, Run” is as fast-paced as it sounds. Released in 1998, the movie uses a driving soundtrack, vivid colors, and tons of symbolism as it follows Lola, a heroine trying to save her boyfriend from impending doom in 20 minutes. The film is rated “R” for some language and violence. Here is a link to the IMDB page. Lola Rennt

Here is the assignment attached to this film: Run, Lola, Run assignment

“Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” is the Chinese film that brought director Ang Lee to international and critical prominence. The innovative style he uses to tell his story is full of acrobatics that make this live-action film feel like it could be animated, at times. Here is a link to the IMDB Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon site. This film is rated PG 13, and does not have an accompanying assignment.  Movie Trailer

New Zealand cinema isn’t just famous for “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, as “Whale Rider” introduced the indigenous ‘Maori’ people’s in New Zealand to the rest of the world. “Whale Rider” is a coming of age story that also highlights the injustices young women across the world live with and struggle against in order to realize their potentials. This film is rated PG-13 and you can find more information here: Whale Rider IMDB There isn’t an assignment attached to this film- students should continue to work on their “My Left Foot” assignment.

We are off to Ireland! “My Left Foot,” is the true story of Christy Brown, an artist with cerebral palsy. This 1989 film won Daniel Day Louis a Best Actor Academy Award with good reason- his performance is simply stunning. This film is rated R for language, as Christ Brown struggles to communicate and is is often frustrated to the point of explosion, (a 5 on the 5 point scale)  as many people with communication struggles can get. For more information, here is the IMDB link. My Left Foot

The assignment for this movie is here and is due Dec. 2nd. My Left Foot Assignment

Next week the class will be viewing “Monty Python and the Holy Grail,” a 1974 classic British comedy that exemplifies British humor. Here is a link to the IMDB site: Monty Python and the Holy Grail. The film is rated PG, but would probably be rated PG13 if it were re-rated by today’s standards.

Here is a link to the “Monty Python and the Extra Credit” Assignment. Monty Python Tropes Extra Credit Assignment

The Global Film class is finishing off it’s time in Japan with “Steamboy,” an inspiring film that explores the conflict between three generations of the Steam family men, who are scientific geniuses when it comes to controlling the power of steam. Here is a link to the IMDB site: Steamboy. The film is a fantastic example of Japanese Anime, a genre known for its artistic innovations and wild imaginings. The film is rated PG-13.

The assignment that accompanies this film is a character creation. The students will create a character that fits in the world of the film. This will require them to have a good understanding of this fictional world and all of the elements that the creators considered when making it. Here is a link to the assignment: Character Sheet