FILM 220 The Films of Woody Allen

Woody Allen's long career as a writer, director and performer makes him a prime candidate for cinematic analysis. This course will focus on his philosophical obsessions and also his distinctive working methods. Readings include biographical and critical studies. Students will have the opportunity to sharpen their analytical skills by writing essays about individual films.

Credits

3

Hours Weekly

3 hours weekly

Course Objectives

1. 1. Discuss recurring themes in Allen's movies.
   
2. 2. Identify Allen's methods of building comedies around his own persona and also developing rich acting
   ensembles in his later films.
3. 3. Describe the contributions made by production designers, costumers, cinematographers and others who
   have been part of Allen's technical team for many years.
   
4. 4. Discuss how Allen's one-liners and other gags comment upon larger cultural issues in American
   society.
   
5. 5. Compare and contrast Allen with other comedians of his era and our own.
6. 6. Compare and contrast key elements in film authorship, genre, ideology and theory.
   
7. 7. Analyze Allen’s films and place them in their cultural settings.
   

Course Objectives

1. 1. Discuss recurring themes in Allen's movies.
   
2. 2. Identify Allen's methods of building comedies around his own persona and also developing rich acting
   ensembles in his later films.
3. 3. Describe the contributions made by production designers, costumers, cinematographers and others who
   have been part of Allen's technical team for many years.
   
4. 4. Discuss how Allen's one-liners and other gags comment upon larger cultural issues in American
   society.
   
5. 5. Compare and contrast Allen with other comedians of his era and our own.
6. 6. Compare and contrast key elements in film authorship, genre, ideology and theory.
   
7. 7. Analyze Allen’s films and place them in their cultural settings.