The films of Italian director Antonioni (THE ADVENTURE, THE ECLIPSE,
BLOW UP, ZABRISKIE POINT), of Swiss filmmaker Godard (BREATHLESS,
A MARRIED WOMAN, ALPHAVILLE, NUMBER TWO, GERMANY YEAR NINETY NINE
ZERO) and of German-born Wenders (ALICE IN THE CITIES, THE AMERICAN
FRIEND, THE STATE OF THINGS, PARIS, TEXAS, WINGS OF DESIRE, BUENA
VISTA SOCIAL CLUB) have had a major influence on international art
and avant-garde filmmaking since the 1960s. While their work clearly
differs in style, narrative preference, and political orientation,
they all share a highly self-reflexive interest in probing the relationship
of cinematic images, sounds, and stories. Moreover, in spite of
their different cultural backgrounds and institutional working bases,
all three had a profound influence on each other, resulting in collaborations
such as BEYOND THE CLOUDS (1996) and BERLIN CINEMA (1997). This
seminar explores and compares the work of Antonioni, Godard, and
Wenders. It will closely examine their most important films, situate
their work in historical and film historical contexts, and theorize
their concern with the aesthetics of cinematic representations,
the politics of storytelling, and the vicissitudes of human existence.
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