The 44 films created by business and life partners Ismail Merchant and James Ivory are extraordinary. Many aspects of their work (1962-2005) command attention: direction, screenwriting, casting, production and cinematography, all smoothly choreographed into a dramatic whole. Whether Indian or European, whether modern or period, all films are detailed studies of human manners, values and dilemmas. Their masterpieces often focus on novels; thus, we will examine The Householder (1963) by their “team” member, Ruth Prawer Jhabvala, a fascinating figure on her own. We’ll jump to their golden period with The Bostonians (1984) by Henry James, Howard’s End (1992) by E. M. Forster and The Remains of the Day (1993) by Kazuo Ishiguro. Each deserve rigorous discussion, and it will not be expected that you have read any of the novels. We’ll focus on the glories of the screen!
Course Code
508453