Handbook

Europe is the birthplace of cinema, and from the silent era through to Italian neorealism and the new waves of the 1960s and 1970s, European cinema changed the way we see and know the world. European cinema reflects diverse cultures and identities and challenges traditional conceptions of place and identity. Contemporary European cinema continues this tradition as both a reflection and driving force of social change, addressing such issues as gender, race, migration, climate, globalisation and marginalisation. This unit will trace the development of European cinema from its earliest masterpieces through to the thought-provoking films of today. You will be introduced to a range of films from countries including France, Germany, Italy, Poland and Spain.