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Film Theory I

Code 16622
Year 1
Semester S2
ECTS Credits 6
Workload OT(15H)/TP(45H)
Scientific area Cinema
Entry requirements Not applicable.
Learning outcomes 1. Determine the origins of cinema and its specificity as an art.
2. Identify and conceptually master the main Cinema theories.
3. Identify and creatively establish the relationship between cinematographic theory and practice.
Syllabus 0. INTRODUCTION Presentation of the historical evolution of film theory.
1. CINEMATOGRAPHIC ART 1.1 Genealogy of the cinematographic image. Notions of field, off-field, film space and plane.
1.2 Optical visuality VS haptic visuality.
1.3 Revisiting the notion of plane: chemical image and electronic image.
1.4 Sound: cinema has never been silent. Sound cinema.
1.5 The invention of the cinematograph: “the myth of total cinema” and “from the cinematograph to the cinema”.
2. CINEMA STUDIES 2.1 Theoretical paradigm of “silent” cinema: Formalism. Theoretical paradigm of “sound” cinema: realist theory. Contemporary extension of the realist and formalist paradigms 2.2 The movement-image. The time-image.
2.3 Contemporary theoretical discourse: the cognitive approach. Emotions and gender.
2.4 Writings on cinema by filmmakers: the first French wave.
2.5 A manifesto/a film. Presentation in class.
Main Bibliography ANDREW, J. Dudley (1976), The Major Film Theories: an introduction, London, Oxford University Press
AUMONT, J.et alii. (1983) A Estética do Filme, 2ª Ed., Papirus Editora [2002]
AUMONT, J. (1990), A Imagem, 8ª Ed., Papirus Editora [2004]
AUMONT, J. (2002) As Teorias dos Cineastas, Campinas, Papirus Editora, [2004]
BAZIN, A. (1975), O que é o Cinema?, Livros Horizonte, 1992
CASETTI, F. (1994), Teorías del Cine, Cátedra
ELSAESSER, T.s (1997), Early Cinema – Space, Frame, Narrative, BFI
ELSAESSER, T. & HAGENER, M. (2009), Film theory-an introduction through the senses, Routledge
KRACAUER, S. (1960), Theory of Film, The Redemption of Physical Reality, Princeton University Press [1997]
PASOLINI, P. P. (1972), Empirismo Hereje, Assírio & Alvim [1982]
STAM, R. (2000), Film theory – an introduction, Blackwell
TARKOVSKY, A. (1986), Sculping in Time, The Great Russian Filmmaker Discusses his Art, Austin, University of Texas Press [1998]
TUDOR, A. (1973), Teorias do Cinema, Edições 70 [1985]
Teaching Methodologies and Assessment Criteria Taking into account that there are classes presenting topics and discussing texts, the assessment consists of two assessment elements:

1) written test (Will be consulted).

2) Written essay, with presentation in class, which consists of the following:

Part 1: Summary of a manifesto;

Part 2: Presentation and framing of a film on that manifesto.

Language Portuguese. Tutorial support is available in English.
Last updated on: 2025-04-02

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