AN 11-WEEK ONLINE FILM STUDIES COURSE (May – August 2024)
PRESENTED BY MATTHEW ASPREY GEAR
This film studies course, to be delivered via the Google Meet platform, will give a comprehensive overview of one of the most dynamic and influential eras in the history of the movies.
We’ll begin by examining both classic and lesser-known films of the Neorealist movement – the works of Roberto Rossellini, Vittorio De Sica, Luchino Visconti, and others. We’ll then study new auteurs of the 1950s (Federico Fellini and Michelangelo Antonioni) as well as joyous films in the Commedia all’italiana mode. Finally, we will study two great masterpieces released in the transformative year of 1960.
The class is limited to a maximum of 12 students. Each week I’ll give an original lecture presentation and then lead an in-depth group discussion. All participants will have a chance to contribute. The only weekly homework will be to watch a film (or two) in your own time and occasionally read a short piece. There will be no final exam or essay. This course is designed for exploration and discovery.
Weekly session: Sundays at 9am PT / 12pm ET (North America)
(5pm UK time/6pm CET)
Price per student: US$160 [GBP£130]. Contact me at matthewaspreygear@gmail.com for further information.
LECTURE PLAN 2024
Part A: Neorealism
May 19
Lecture 1. Introduction
ROME, OPEN CITY (1945) – Roberto Rossellini [103min]
UMBERTO D. (1952) – Vittorio De Sica [89min]
May 26
Lecture 2. The Earth, The Sea
LA TERRA TREMA (1948) – Luchino Visconti [165min]
Short film: The Age Of Swordfish (1954) – Vittorio De Seta [11min]
June 2
Lecture 3. Eruptions
STROMBOLI (1950) – Roberto Rossellini [107min]
THE PATH OF HOPE (1950) – Pietro Germi [97min]
June 9
Lecture 4. Fantastic Realism
MIRACLE IN MILAN (1951) – Vittorio De Sica [100min]
June 16
Lecture 5. Alternative Realisms
LOVE IN THE CITY (1953) – Fellini, Antonioni, Lattuada, Lizzani, Maselli, Risi, Zavattini [115min]
Reading: from The Ragazzi (1955) by Pier Paolo Pasolini
Part B: New Auteurs and Commedia all’italiana
June 23
Lecture 6. Michelangelo Antonioni
THE STORY OF A LOVE AFFAIR (1950) [98min]
THE VANQUISHED (1953) [113min]
— ONE WEEK BREAK —
July 7
Lecture 7. Federico Fellini
I VITELLONI (1953) [123min]
IL BIDONE (1955) [104mins]
July 14
Lecture 8. The Italian Miracle
TOO BAD SHE’S BAD (1955) – Alessandro Blasetti [95min]
TOTO, PEPPINO, AND THE HUSSY (1956) – Camillo Mastrocinque [103min]
Reading: “The Fanatic” by Alberto Moravia
July 21
Lecture 9. Mario Monicelli and Commedia all’italiana
BIG DEAL ON MADONNA STREET (1958) [111mins]
Reading: ’Screenwriting With Your Eyes: An Interview with Suso Cecchi d’Amico’
Part C: Two Films from 1960
July 28
Lecture 10. The Legacy of War
TWO WOMEN (1960) – Vittorio De Sica [100min]
August 4
Lecture 11. Paola’s Wave
LA DOLCE VITA (1960) – Federico Fellini [174min]
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Header source image: The Trevi Fountain, Rome, by Jebulon @ Wikimedia Commons. Public Domain source, modified, 2024.
MATTHEW ASPREY GEAR 
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