S/MD/109. Close Analysis of a Sequence from 'Gone with the Wind' (Dir: Victor Fleming, 1939)

The paper analyses the use of Technicolor and lighting in the final scene from the Hollywood film 'Gone with the Wind' showing the techniques of reflecting the emotional state of the characters, i.e. Scarlett and Rhett.

S/MD/106. Melodrama and Realism in 'Á Bout De Souffle' by Jean-Luc Godard

The paper examines the contrast between the melodramatic and the realistic in Godard's film 'Á Bout De Souffle' ('Breathless') discussing the film's digressions from the cinematic norms, its soundtrack, technical aspects, etc.

S/MD/102. The Libertine

The paper analyses the film adaptation of the play by Stephen Jeffreys 'The Libertine' set in post-puritan England. The gist of the story line is presented; its themes are discussed in the historical perspective of the Restoration and from the perspective of modern views on sex and hedonism.

S/MD/78. Mel Gibson's "The Passion": Compare the treatment of the story of the passion in this film with one earlier film treatment of the story. Does on treatment expound the nature of Christ's passion better than another, and if so, how?

The paper analyses the interpretations of the Passion of Jesus Christ in the films "The Passion" by Mel Gibson and "The Greatest Story Ever Told" by George Stevens arguing whether they are historically and scripturally accurate. The portrayals of Christ's physical suffering are compared; the criticism of the films is reviewed.

S/MD/77. Disney Women: from Snow White to Esmeralda

The paper examines the cinema portrayals of the female characters of Snow White and Esmeralda in Disney films 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs' (1937) and the 'Hunch Back of Notredame' (1996). The background of both films is described; the representations of masculinity and femininity are analyzed arguing that the films reflect the societal ideology of the time.

S/MD/75. Andy Warhol

The paper examines the work of the US filmmaker Andy Warhol discussing the themes and the cinematic techniques used in his films 'Sleep', 'Kiss', 'Blue Movie', 'Bad', etc., and arguing the artistic value of voyeurism.

S/MD/74. Living in the city: comparison of two movies on urban life: 'Metropolis' and 'Bladerunner'

The paper offers comparative analysis of city life presentations in the films 'Metropolis' by Fritz Lang (1926) and 'Bladerunner' by Ridley Scott (1982). The plots of both films are summed up discussing the themes of workers' enslavement by technology, the separation of social classes, the issues of gender, the challenges of the city life, etc.

S/MD/72. 'Broadly speaking, there are two types of masculinity in popular cinema: new man and retributive man'. Discuss this statement in relation to 'Rebel without a Cause'.

The paper reviews the film 'Rebel without a Cause' presenting the summary of the plot, analysing the types of masculinity portrayed in the film, and discussing the attitudes of men towards expressing emotions. Cinematic techniques of portraying masculinity are examined with the emphasis on the use of signs and symbols.

S/MD/68. Portrayals of black Americans in the films "Birth of a Nation" and "Gone with the Wind"

The paper analyses the portrayal of African Americans in the films "Birth of a Nation" and "Gone with the Wind" discussing racist mentality, the role of the Ku Klux Klan (KKK), the emergence of black producers in Hollywood, the improvements in race relations over the period between the two films, etc.

S/MD/66. Sign-systems in cinema: analysis of two films: 'L.I.E.: Long Island Expressway' and 'Life is a Long Quiet River'

The paper analyses the use of sign-systems in the films "L.I.E.: Long Island Expressway" by Michael Cuesta and "Life is a Long Quiet River" by Etienne Chatiliez. The essential principles of semiotics are reviewed; social connotations of the signs used in the films are interpreted.

S/MD/64. The term 'postmodern' has several related meanings. Discuss these meanings in relation to no more than three films or television programmes of your choice

The paper examines the concept of post-modernism analysing its reflections in the futuristic technocultural world created in the 'cyberpunk' film 'Brazil' and the dreamlike world of the TV series 'Twin Peaks'. The study focuses on the methods of mixing dreams with reality, the juxtaposition of incongruous elements, intertextual references, irony, self-reflexivity, etc.

S/MD/61. Write a detailed textual analysis of a cult film or television programme of your choice, focusing on the reasons for its status as a cult text

The paper analyzes the TV series 'The X-Files' exploring the reasons behind its success and discussing it as a hybrid of genres presenting paranormal storylines in the context of modern reality. Intertextual references in 'The X-Files' and the references to other 'cult' texts with mythological features are discussed.

S/MD/63. Analyse the issues raised in cross-dressing films about gender and transgendered identities. Draw on at least two different genres in your answer

The paper addresses the issues of gender identity in the context of cross-dressing comedy arguing that the comic effects of men disguised as women accentuates the inflexibility of sexual difference rather than promotes the idea of transvestism. The convention of the mainstream cross-dressing comedy and the breaches of these conventions are analysed using examples of several films.

S/MD/62. Representation of American teenagers in the 1950s and 1990s films

The paper examines American films related to the problem of juvenile delinquency analysing the cinematic ways of depicting teenagers in the films 'Rebel without a Cause' (1955) and 'Kid's (1995). Literature is reviewed on the controversy and innovation in portraying urban youth culture, the values of traditional morality, the concept of antihero, etc.

S/MD/58. Hollywood: Frank Capra and America's Fragile Depression Era

The paper examines the reasons behind the success of the films by Frank Capra reflecting political and social life in America during the Depression of 1930- 1940s. An overview of Capra's life, political views and cinematic style is presented; his films are reviewed.

S/MD/57. Were early silent era films (1896-1917) politically subversive as some commentators have claimed?

The paper examines the features of the early silent Hollywood films looking into their ideology and the methods of attracting middle class viewers. It is argued whether these films were orientated towards escapism or political subversion.

S/MD/55. Review of Four Films Relating to Thatcherism

The paper looks at the political allusions to the Thatcher Government in the films 'Trainspotting' 'Brassed Off' 'The Full Monty' and 'Billy Elliot'. Traditional views on family relations and middle class values are discussed.

S/MD/54. Review of Four British Films

The paper analyses the films belonging to the so-called 'kitchen-sink drama' focusing on the representations of female characters and their gender roles during the 1960s: 'Room at the Top' (1959), 'Saturday Night and Sunday Morning' (1960), 'A Taste of Honey' (1961) and 'A Kind of Loving' (1962). The features of the Mod subculture are discussed.

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