1、Chapter 5 Critical PerspectivesThe Definition of ThemeTypical Thematic ConcernsAuteur Theory StructuralismFeminism and Gender Studies1第1頁，共19頁。Introduction . Film Theory provides an alternative set of critical approaches: Auteur Theory, Structuralism, Feminism and Gender Studies, Psychoanalysis and

2、the Spectator, Politics and Ideology.2第2頁，共19頁。Typical Thematic Concerns Here is an overview of some of the forms in which theme is expressed in Hollywood (and other English-language) films: Broad Human ConcernsLife Philosophies Religious and Ethical Concerns Historical Issues Nations and National C

3、haracteristics Social/Cultural/Technological Changes Social Problems 3第3頁，共19頁。Typical Thematic Concerns Here is an overview of some of the forms in which theme is expressed in Hollywood (and other English-language) films: 1.Broad Human ConcernsNature of love and beauty4第4頁，共19頁。Typical Thematic Con

4、cerns Here is an overview of some of the forms in which theme is expressed in Hollywood (and other English-language) films: Broad Human ConcernsLife Philosophies Life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what youre gonna get. 5第5頁，共19頁。Typical Thematic Concerns Here is an overview of some of

5、 the forms in which theme is expressed in Hollywood (and other English-language) films: Broad Human ConcernsLife Philosophies Religious and Ethical Concerns 6第6頁，共19頁。Typical Thematic Concerns Here is an overview of some of the forms in which theme is expressed in Hollywood (and other English-langua

6、ge) films: Broad Human ConcernsLife Philosophies Religious and Ethical Concerns Historical Issues 7第7頁，共19頁。Broad Human ConcernsLife Philosophies Religious and Ethical Concerns Historical Issues Nations and National Characteristics Typical Thematic Concerns Here is an overview of some of the forms i

7、n which theme is expressed in Hollywood (and other English-language) films: 8第8頁，共19頁。Typical Thematic Concerns Here is an overview of some of the forms in which theme is expressed in Hollywood (and other English-language) films: Broad Human ConcernsLife Philosophies Religious and Ethical Concerns H

8、istorical Issues Nations and National Characteristics Social/Cultural/Technological Changes 9第9頁，共19頁。Typical Thematic Concerns Here is an overview of some of the forms in which theme is expressed in Hollywood (and other English-language) films: Broad Human ConcernsLife Philosophies Religious and Et

9、hical Concerns Historical Issues Nations and National Characteristics Social/Cultural/Technological Changes Social Problems 10第10頁，共19頁。Auteur TheoryOrigin: The concept of the auteur (theFrenchword for author) came from a group of young French critics who writing for the influential magazine, Cahier

10、s du Cinma (電影手冊). 1.A tendency in French cinema of 1950s: to give too much value to dialogue and psychological realism2.Another approach in Hollywood: to give directors a degree of artistic freedom and control that allowed them to make their own personal marks on their films, thus raising cinema to

11、 the level of an art form. 11第11頁，共19頁。Definition: The auteur was a person who was able to stamp his own identity on a film in spite of the commercial restraints of the studio system. An auteur was contrasted to the metteur en scne (匠人),who treated film directing as a job rather than an art form. An

12、 auteur make his film an art form through its visual style. Usually the signature of an auteur could be seen most clearly through his distinctive personal style, his distinctive themes or narrative structure.Auteur Theory12第12頁，共19頁。Auteur TheorySignificance: Auteur theory remains a useful concept w

13、hen it comes to analyzing films. It allows the critic to gather together separate works into definite groupings that can be analyzed on the basis of their distinctive stylistic and thematic features. It also helps to draw attention to the work of some most creative figures working in the film indust

14、ry.13第13頁，共19頁。Tim Burton is without doubt one of the most interesting and creative young American directors who could be accorded auteur status.Auteur Theory14第14頁，共19頁。Feminism and Gender StudiesFeminism is a broad poetical and intellectual movement that seeks to analyze (social, political, or eco

15、nomic) inequalities between men and women and to take action against them.15第15頁，共19頁。Feminist approaches to the study of cinema have focused on a wide variety of topics: gender discriminationthe representation of women as charactersthe concept of the “male gaze”the idea of a “female cinema”Feminism

16、 and Gender Studies16第16頁，共19頁。ExerciseExplain the critical approach “Auteur Theory”. In film criticism, auteur theory holds that a directors film reflects the directors personal creative vision, as if they were the primary auteur (the French word for author). An auteur makes his film an art form through its visual style, stamps his own identity on a film through his distinctive p