John Cassavetes' Cinema of Love

Pre-requisites for enrolment

For individuals interested in independent cinema. No prerequisites required.

Content of Course

This intensive one-day course will consist of a lecture and clip-based exploration of the films of John Cassavetes followed by a screening and close study of his film, A Woman Under the Influence (1974). Lecture topics to be addressed will include:

1. A biographical profile of John Cassavetes illustrated with clips from Charles Kiselyak’s documentary film, A Constant Forge – The Life and Art of John Cassavetes (2000).

2. Cassavetes’ seminal contributions to American independent filmmaking.

3. Key stylistic trademarks of Cassavetes’ films – improvisational acting, realism, location shooting, hand held camerawork.

4. Cassavetes’ narrative and thematic representations of love and human behaviour.

Teaching method(s)

The class will introduce John Cassavetes’ films and filmmaking through a lecture, illustrated with clips from 5 key films spanning his career. Our collective screening of the film A Woman Under the Influence (1974) will be followed by group discussion and additional analysis of clips.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

• Identify and describe the key stylistic trademarks of Cassavetes’ films.

• Appreciate Cassavetes’ realist approach to love and human relationships.

• Understand the advantages and limitations established by independent filmmaking.

Sources

Core Readings

Recommended:

• Carney, R. ed., 2001. Cassavetes on Cassavetes. London: Faber and Faber.

• Carney, R., 1994. The Films of John Cassavetes: Pragmatism, Modernism, and the Movies (Cambridge Film Classics). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

• Fine, M., 2007. Accidental Genius: How John Cassavetes Invented the American Independent Film. New York: Miramax Books.

Class Handouts

One double-sided handout with a brief overview of John Cassavetes’ film career and synopses of 5 films which we will discuss, will be provided to students as a guide to our day course.

Queries

If you have questions regarding the course or enrolment, please contact COL Reception at Paterson's Land by email COL@ed.ac.uk or by phone 0131 650 4400.

Student support

If you have a disability, learning difficulty or health condition which may affect your studies, please let us know by ticking the 'specific support needs' box on your course application form. This will allow us to make appropriate adjustments in advance and in accordance with your rights under the Equality Act 2010. For more information please visit the Student Support section of our website.