FMMC0262A-F09
Documentary Animation
Please register via JAPN 0262A
The Politics of Animation: Documentary, Propaganda, Art
In this course we will examine films in an emerging international genre known as animated documentary. Animation plays a surprisingly influential role in nonfiction films, as in a famous segment in Michael Moore’s Bowling for Columbine. More recently, some directors have relied solely on animation to make films with claims to telling the truth. Often politically controversial and intensely personal, these works challenge traditional definitions of cinematic form. Why is animation so persuasive? To answer this question we will explore the urban origins of early cartoons, Disney’s global hegemony, Warner Brothers’ wartime propaganda, Soviet agitprop, and the diverse ideological perspectives of limited animation in Japanese anime and American television programming. With this preparation in hand, we will analyze several animated non-fictions in their cultural and political contexts, including the artworks of William Kentridge (South Africa), Barefoot Gen (Japan), Persepolis (France/Iran), and Waltz with Bashir (Israel). 3 hrs. lect./ 3hrs. screen.
In this course we will examine films in an emerging international genre known as animated documentary. Animation plays a surprisingly influential role in nonfiction films, as in a famous segment in Michael Moore’s Bowling for Columbine. More recently, some directors have relied solely on animation to make films with claims to telling the truth. Often politically controversial and intensely personal, these works challenge traditional definitions of cinematic form. Why is animation so persuasive? To answer this question we will explore the urban origins of early cartoons, Disney’s global hegemony, Warner Brothers’ wartime propaganda, Soviet agitprop, and the diverse ideological perspectives of limited animation in Japanese anime and American television programming. With this preparation in hand, we will analyze several animated non-fictions in their cultural and political contexts, including the artworks of William Kentridge (South Africa), Barefoot Gen (Japan), Persepolis (France/Iran), and Waltz with Bashir (Israel). 3 hrs. lect./ 3hrs. screen.
- Term:
- Fall 2009
- Location:
- Axinn Center 103(AXN 103)
- Schedule:
- 1:30pm-2:45pm on Tuesday, Thursday at AXN 103 (Sep 7, 2009 to Dec 4, 2009)
7:30pm-10:25pm on Monday at AXN 100 (Sep 7, 2009 to Dec 4, 2009) - Type:
- Lecture
- Instructors:
- Carole Cavanaugh
- Subject:
- Film & Media Culture
- Department:
- Film & Media Culture
- Division:
- Arts
- Requirements Fulfilled:
- ART CMP
- Levels:
- Undergraduate
- Cross-Listed As:
- JAPN0262A-F09 *
- Availability:
- View availability, prerequisites, and other requirements.
- Course Reference Number (CRN):
- 92682
- Subject Code:
- FMMC
- Course Number:
- 0262
- Section Identifier:
- A