A2 Film Studies

World Cinema Topics: Cinematic New Waves Assignment Korean New Wave: Oldboy (2003) Park Chan-wook

Due: Tuesday 1st November

3 sides of A4 minimum

Question: New Wave films are just style over substance- How true is this statement in relation to the Korean New Wave and Oldboy (2003) Park?

Handy Hints! This question is asking you if new wave films are all about breaking the rules through their use of film language (rejection of narrative and genre etc) and nothing else! OR that they have substance something to sayand reflect the zeitgeist (social contexts) of the time and place in which they are made? Remember in EVERY new wave essay you must define what a new wave is (copy your first essay if you want!) Then introduce the new wave Korean and why it began what was it rejecting? Then argue BOTH SIDES of the debate yes it is experimental and deliberately breaks the rules (of Hollywood/ mainstream filmmaking) in its use of film language. Genre and narrative (rejection of the Classical Narrative System and audience expectations of mainstream characters.) BUT it also has clear narrative themes/ ideologies running through the film (supported by the visual motifs of reflections and split screens) that reflect the zeitgeist. Remember to support each point with evidence (key scenes) In the exam you will discuss both Korean new wave film examples but in this essay just focus on Oldboy.