Surrealism Revision Guide

Themes and things to talk about

1. The birth of the film movement
2. The evolution of the style over time
3. What what are / where the intentions of the film makers?
4. How is surrealism different from dominant film forms?

Theorists
You do not need any specific THEORISTS in this section.
You CAN look at the films from a Marxist / Feminist /
Freudian perspective if you wish (and Id encourage it)
but EXPLICITLY QUOTING them is not essential.

YOU SHOULD WRITE ABOUT 2 FILMS EXPLICITLY. I

WOULD RECOMMEND 3.
SURREAL FILMS TO CONSIDER

Director(s Film
)

Luis Bunuel Un Chien Andalou

/ Salvador
Dali

Jan Alice
Svankmaje
r

Vera Daisies
Chytilova

Alejandro Holy Mountain

Jodorowsky

Maya At Land

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 Deren Meshes in The Afternoon

Here are some past paper questions and a

mark scheme:

How far can the impact of your chosen international film style be explained by
reference to its historical context?

Discuss how far your international film style was developed by directors and how
far by other influences

To what extent is your international film style characterised by a particular

approach to performance and/or mise-en-scne?

Consider the significance of cinematography and/or editing in creating a

distinctive style of cinema in the films you have studied for this topic.

How important is it to see the films you have studied for this topic as being
marked by their specific time and place of production?

How important is it to locate your chosen films in a particular time and place in
order to understand their meaning and significance?

There are significant stylistic variations within international film styles. How far
have you found this to be true in the films you have studied for this topic?

Discuss some of the ways in which your chosen film style can be seen as
exciting and new.

How useful has it been to place your chosen films within an historical context?

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Level 3 upper (24-27)
At the upper end of this level, candidates will have a good knowledge and
understanding of their chosen films and topic. Clear points of view will be
developed and the use of appropriate specialist language will inform
discussion.
Quality of written communication will be good. It will be fluent, well-
structured and accurate.

Level 4 Lower (28-31)

At the lower end of this level, candidates will be distinguished by a very
good knowledge and confident understanding of their chosen films and
topic. Points of view will be developed very effectively with appropriate
specialist language a feature of all film references.
Quality of written communication will be very good. It will be fluent, well-
structured and accurate, showing signs of sophistication.

Level 4 Upper (31-35)

At the upper end of this level, candidates will be distinguished by an
excellent knowledge and a highly sophisticated understanding of their
chosen films and topics. Arguments will be developed with subtlety,
showing a keen respect for the quality of evidence and a natural
scepticism. There will be a high level investigative approach with signs of
genuine originality.
Quality of written communication will be excellent. It will be fluent, well-
structured and accurate, showing considerable sophistication.

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There are significant stylistic variations within
international film styles. How far have you
found this to be true in the films you have
studied for this topic?
Start by outlining what the question is asking you. Remember:
Be critical: Agree to some extent but make sure you argue
against the point raised in the question.
Balance: Ensure you outline that there is more than one
reading / interpretation of surreal cinema
Themes: Regardless of the question, always talk about
HOW these films are constructed and USE Micro analysis
(MeS / Cine / Editing / Sound)
Write your findings into an introductory paragraph that outlines
your discussion. I have underlined the parts that cover the
three above points.
Surrealism as a film style is unique in that is is devoid of many
formal conventions that govern other stlyes German
Expressionism with its chairascuro lighting or the French New
Wave with its discontinuity and hand-held camera. However,
by assuming there are no similarity in the construction of a
surreal film is too simplistic. It rejects the principles upon which
the surrealist movement was founded upon; Freudian
psychoanalysis, a disgust and anger an the oppressive nature
of the Church and State whilst not forgetting a dissatisfaction
with tired contemporary art forms.

Then construct your essay based upon what you outlined in

your introduction. Include in every paragraph:

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 A point that relates to the introduction.
A piece of theory that supports your point.
A piece of textual analysis that supports your point.
An explanation of how your point expands, explores the
initial question.

Use the example on the next page to help you:

POINT In this Stylistic variation exists in surrealism and this

box write a is exemplified in the mise-en-scene of the
statement that first notable example of surrealism Un Chien
responds to the Andalou.
question you
are being
asked. Either
agree or
disagree.

TEXTUAL For example, the audience are seen to be

EVIDENCE deliberately confused by the juxtaposition of
Relate your the palm of the hand and the ants or the
point directly to cows on the piano being dragged across the
an extract from floor.
the film.
Mention: Mise-
en-scene,
cinematography
, editing, sound.
EXTEND your By seeing the ants emerge from the hand the
analysis to help male character can bee seen as symbolic of
support the his realisation of his unconscious sexual
point you are desires and how I plagues his existence.
making.

EXPLANATION The symbolic juxtaposition is a technique is

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and LINK an example of how surreal films that do not
Explain how all look similar are still using similar techniques.
of the above As in Alice, where the bone animals are
helps you dressed in dolls clothes
answer the
question.

REMEMBER: These sections dont need to follow the order on

the page here. Just make sure every section is covered in your
paragraph.

On the next page is a practice you can complete. Use what Ive
put here as a guide!

To what extent is your international film

style characterised by a particular approach
to performance and/or mise-en-scne?

In the space below write an introduction:

________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

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________________________________________________________________

Now write a paragraph that helps you explain an element of

this question using the table:

POINT In this ______________________________________________

box write a ______________________________________________
statement that ______________________________________________
responds to the ______________________________________________
question you ______________________________________________
are being ______________________________________________
asked. Either ______________________________________________
agree or ______________________________________________
disagree.

TEXTUAL ______________________________________________
EVIDENCE ______________________________________________
Relate your ______________________________________________
point directly to ______________________________________________
an extract from ______________________________________________
the film. ______________________________________________
Mention: Mise- ______________________________________________
en-scene, ______________________________________________
cinematography
, editing, sound.
EXTEND your ______________________________________________
analysis to help ______________________________________________

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support the ______________________________________________
point you are ______________________________________________
making. ______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________

EXPLANATION ______________________________________________
and LINK ______________________________________________
Explain how all ______________________________________________
of the above ______________________________________________
helps you ______________________________________________
answer the ______________________________________________
question. ______________________________________________
______________________________________________