Ryo:
_The Graduate_ (actors: Dustin Hoffman, Katherine Koss) 1969?
_Breaking Away_ (actor: Dennis Christopher) (more on the
transition between HS and college)
_The Paper Chase_
The Graduate can be used to discuss themes going on in the States at the
time - e.g. Benjamin Braddock's mistrust of older adults, and, societal
hypocrisy (Mrs Robinson). The music in the movie is pretty good. Charlie
Chaplin used to say camera close-ups were for tragedy - and far away shots
for comedy. I remember extensive close ups of Dustin Hoffman's face during
this movie - but without the Chaplinesque sense of tragedy. I first saw The
Graduate at a college film festival, and when the father's question to a
lazy Benjamin ("what was the point of those 4 years in college") was
answered with "you got me" - the entire audience fell of its seats and
howled.
In the sleeper category, Breaking Away isn't as good depicting cultural
themes, but is more of a personal odyssey of a HS graduate getting his act
together before he decides to go to college. Set and filmed in Bloomington,
IN, it's not a bad movie. I can't remember much about The Paper Chase.
Ryo Imamura wrote:
> I am planning on teaching a college course in Kobe, Japan, this spring
> on the experience of American college students in the 50's, 60's, 70's,
> 80's and 90's as presented in the cinema from a psychosocial
> perspective. Can you suggest any movies on the college experience
> during those periods? After I collect a list, I have to locate copies
> in Japan that have Japanese subtitles. I imagine such a course would be
> a popular elective because Japanese young people love American movies
> and have a very romanticized view of American life. Thanks in advance.
> Ryo
--
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John W. Kulig [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Department of Psychology http://oz.plymouth.edu
Plymouth State College tel: (603) 535-2468
Plymouth NH USA 03264 fax: (603) 535-2412
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"The only rational way of educating is to be an example - if
one can't help it, a warning example." A. Einstein, 1934.
