Course syllabus

This course traces a thematic history of filmmaking in Aotearoa New Zealand from the mid-1980s until the present day. While examining a range of films as individual texts, we also locate them in their historical, social and political contexts by concentrating on the issues that arise for a small nation defined by its indigenous and settler past, immigrant present and global future.

Topics include the country’s colonial history, the effects of settlement, the struggle to create a bicultural nation, the film industry’s relationship with Hollywood, changes in the concept of nation in an age of increasing internationalism, and the recurrent themes of local film culture: sex, adolescence and death, sometimes leavened by humour. To help us organise these topics, the course is divided into four thematic blocks: Fourth Cinema, Political Economy of Settlement, Gothic Adolescence and Comic Horror. We shall look at the ways in which New Zealand films have explored these themes in order to (re)tell our history and help us imagine our nation.

Learning Outcomes

Through the study of the last three decades’ of New Zealand film, students will learn:

• To reflect on the relationship between national culture and national identity
• To evaluate the impact of colonial and settler history on filmic storytelling in Aotearoa New Zealand
• To understand the history, purpose and continuity of filmmaking from a Māori perspective
• To grasp the relation between national, indigenous and migrant voices and representations
• To understand New Zealand film from an industry perspective

Course Delivery Format

The teaching for this course comprises weekly two-hour lectures, which will include film clips, plus a weekly tutorial. This is a concurrent course, which means that students enrolled in FTVMS 208 attend the same lectures as students enrolled in FTVMS 300, but have a separate tutorial programme, assignments and exam questions.

Tutorials
Tutorials begin in Week 1! There will be no tutorials in Week 12. You will need to check your timetable on SSO for times and rooms.

Assessments:

Tutorial Participation                                     10%

Weekly Film Log (1000 words)                     10%

Film Review (800 words)                              15%

Assignment One (1200 words)                      25%

Assignment Two (2000 words)                      40%

Readings

Required readings for each week will be available on Canvas via the Readings List link. In addition, you may find the following recommended texts helpful:

Babington, Bruce. A History of the New Zealand Fiction Film. Manchester and New York: Manchester University Press, 2007.

Dennis, Jonathan and Jan Bieringa, eds. Film in Aotearoa New Zealand. Wellington: Victoria University Press, 1996, 2^nd ed.

Martin, Helen and Sam Edwards, eds. New Zealand Film, 1912-1996. Auckland: Oxford University Press, 1997.

Pivac, Diane and Frank Stark, eds. New Zealand Film: An Illustrated History. Wellington: Te Papa Press in association with The Film Archive, 2011.

In addition, further readings and related viewings for each film studied will be available on Canvas to help students conduct more in-depth research, prepare for assignments and study for the exam.

Film Viewings

There are no group screenings for this course, so you will need to watch the required film(s) for each week in your own time. Films are available either in the AV collection in the General Library (by request at the lending desk), or online through the Llibrary's TV & Radio Database (Link). Online viewing material is also available through NZ Film On Demand, the New Zealand Film Commission's digital on-demand service, which offers great New Zealand films for streaming and downloadin (Link).

Please note that in some weeks there is only one required film and in some weeks there are two required films. In those weeks when there are two films, you are required to watch both films.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Lecture recordings
Lecture recordings will be posted on Canvas (see individual lecture topics in Modules), but this is never a substitute for lecture attendance. We cannot guarantee that the recording technology will work smoothly each week or that recordings will be made available before the relevant tutorial. You will learn more effectively by using recordings to supplement your in-class learning. e.g. for clarifying or revising specific material.

Tuākana Mentoring Programme: please click here for details.

Library Services: This course will require you to make extensive use of the University library in order to do well on assignments. Please visit the library website for further information about their research and learning support services.

Student Learning Services: SLS provides opportunities for students to improve their academic performance and study skills through workshops, advisory sessions and online resources. Visit their website for further information. All students are strongly encouraged to make use of these resources (they cater for all students, not just those who are struggling with academic work).

English Language Enrichment (ELE): Those who are already aware (or whose DELNA results reveal) that they need help with English reading, listening, speaking or writing should enrol at the English Language Self Access Centre in the Information Commons. You will be able to direct your own learning with help from staff, who will help you get started, and monitor your progress. Click here for more information.