This course examines the cultural dimensions of selected films—Touch (dir. Baltasar Kormakur, 2024), Parallel Mothers (dir. Pedro Almodóvar, 2021), Under the Open Sky (dir. Miwa Nishikawa, 2021) and Little Buddha (dir. Bernardo Bertolucci, 1993). Through analysis of cinematic elements such as character, dialogue, gender, image, mise en scène, lighting and music, we’ll examine how each film reflects cultural perceptions and reveals the significance of its represented way of life. Each screening will be followed by discussion and Q&A.