This seminar studies the intersection of film, architecture and urbanism, focusing on the œuvre of the 1960s by Michelangelo Antonioni and Jean-Luc Godard. In their films of the booming postwar years, these ‘auteurs’ show us that the political, economic and social environment and their consequences for the inner ‘conditio humana’ can be analyzed through changes in architecture and urban planning.
Objective
The seminar offers methods of analysis and insights in theories and historical contexts. Through the analysis and discussions of films, critical readings and historical contextualisations, we try to draw awareness to today's context. In addition to the regular attendance of the seminar sessions students present specific film examples/sequences that we will discuss together.
Content
The directors Michelangelo Antonioni (1912-2007) and Jean-Luc Godard (*1930) are not only very much appreciated 'auteurs' by film scholars. Many architects still share their interests in and sometimes even passion for these two filmmakers. In the booming postwar years Antonioni and Godard show us that changes in the political, economic and social environment and their consequences for the inner ‘conditio humana’ can be analyzed through changes in architecture and urban planning. These are at times contrasted with buildings of former years and their (forgotten?) values. The seminar intersects research in film, architecture and urbanism through analysis and discussions of selected films and readings.
Intended Antonioni films: La Notte (1961), L’Eclisse (1962), Il deserto rosso (1964)
Intended Godard films: Le Mépris (1963), Une femme mariée (1964), Alphaville (1965), Deux ou trois choses que je sais d’elle (1967)
Prerequisites / Notice
The courses are held in German. Language skills in French and Italian are most welcome. It is compulsory to watch the films before the related sessions. Screenings take place in/after the sessions on THU night.
Performance assessment
Performance assessment information (valid until the course unit is held again)