851-0101-62L  Bollywood and Beyond: A History of Indian Cinema In The 20th Century

SemesterSpring Semester 2019
LecturersH. Fischer-Tiné
Periodicitynon-recurring course
Language of instructionEnglish


AbstractThe Indian film industry has been around for over 100 years and is one of the richest and most variegated of the world. The lecture reconstructs the historical development of Indian cinema from late 19th to early 21st centuries and uses it as a lens through which technical, cultural, social and political change in the Indian sub-continent can be explored.
ObjectiveThe objectives of this course are three-fold. For one, the participants shall learn to question aesthetic cetainties and received modes of perception of cinematographic art. Secondly they will be acquainted with the huge potential of films as a historical source to grasp processes of social and cultural change. Besides, the reconstruction of the international career of a specific variety of an art form and entertainment techology will also raise important questions of cultural globalisation and consumerism. As a side-effect, as it were, the students will will also be provided with important insights into the chequered history of the Indian subcontinent in during the course of the 20th century.