Cinema Chez Rene: The Mastery of Film Narrative

Narrative is one of the essential elements of filmmaking. We will be discussing four sharp examples of streaming films that are, in large part or in total, driven by their mastery of narrative use, leading to a good story amplified to its maximum end effect, with film editing of exceptional balance (hence, creative plot organization). Films in the following weekly order include: Burning (2018), a South Korean drama based on a Haruki Murakami short story; The Invisible Guest (2016), a complex crime drama from Spain; Shadow (2018), a Yimou Zhang Chinese action-adventure period drama; and Nightcrawler (2014), a crime thriller with Jake Gyllenhaal and Bill Paxton. NOTE: Participants should plan to watch each film on their own, the week before it is discussed in class. These films can be rented online or may be available from streaming services to which you currently subscribe. Students are encouraged to research individual accessibility to the listed films prior to registration.

FILM DESCRIPTIONS:

Thursday, March 04 - Burned (2018 -South Korea) Directed by Chang-dong Lee, inspired by Haruki Murakami’s short story, “Barn Burning.” A young man meets a girl from the small village of their childhood. She returns from a trip with another young man met by chance. The film records their haunting relational journey of the three, with their contrasting personalities and obsessions.

Thursday, March 11 - The Invisible Guest (2016 - Spain) - A mystery thriller, written and directed by Oriol Paulo, and very popular in Spain. This Hitchcock-like plot is thick with mounting situations surrounding the death of a young woman as each intriguing story-turn creates more questions. One increasingly senses that a breaking point has to be reached.

Thursday, March 18 - Shadow (2018 - China) - An action-drama “martial heroes” film by Zhang Yimou, one of the best directors in Chinese film history. Portrays, in classic format, the internal struggles of power within an ancient royal court, using four narratives, 80 locations, and exquisite production values to create a Shakespearean conflict on steroids.

Thursday, March 25 - Nightcrawler (2014 - USA) – A multi-genre film (thriller, neo-noir, drama, dark comedy), directed by Dan Gilroy, stars Jake Gyllenhaal, Rene Russo, Bill Paxton. The narrative concerns “stringers,” reporters and photo-journalists who are paid per job, creating sensationalized crime stories that TV and newspapers increasingly use for profit. Add an anti-hero, and what can go wrong?