This course introduces students to the diverse contemporary culture and society of SEAsia as well as to cinema practices in the region. Since there is too much to cover in one semester, this survey course will focus broadly on three categories: national film histories, genres and social themes. This semester we will focus on cinema from Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. A brief summary of cinema in these three countries will provide students with a sense of the duration of cinema and cinematic traditions in the region. The sheer origin of cinema has always signified modernity for Southeast Asians. With nearly a century of exposure to film in the region, how has this form become unique to each country through self-representation and documentation of a society in socio-cultural transition and economic and political development? Assuming that film not only fulfills the function of reflecting social concerns (through mass entertainment as well as more political concerns), what are the forms of creative and artistic expression that are possible to achieve with new technologies and familiarity with film genres despite censorship and other socio-economic restrictions? Contemporary independent filmmakers in the region have broached topics such as homosexuality (Tropical Malady), teenage gangs (15) race relations and gender/religious identity (Gubra), topics regarded as taboo in their respective societies.

Upon successful completion of this course, students will have the skills and knowledge to:

1. Be cognizant of the specific histories of cinema and film production in these countries and
2. Understand the varied functions of film (as ideological/political, social representation, or as part of the culture industry).
3. Analyse film form and learn about some film genre conventions and film theories.
4. Take a nuanced approach to thinking about films from Southeast Asia as simultaneously a global and local art form and expression.

3 writing assignments:

• Film review (500 words, 15%)
• Mid-term paper (1500 words, 35%)
• Final paper (1500 words, 40%)

Participation and attendance during tutorial and lecture/discussions (10%)

All assessments will target the four learning outcomes above.

1.5 hour weekly lectures for 13 weeks, 12 x 1-hour tutorials, 2 hour film screenings weekly. Also 5.5 hours of associated study time per week (includes readings, and assignment preparation).

Either GEND1001 or GEND1002; or FILM1002 or FILM1003; or permission from the Coordinator.

Aruna Vasudev, Latika Padgaonkar and Rashmi Doraiswamy, eds. Being and Becoming, The Cinemas of Asia. India: Macmillan, 2002.

David Hanan, ed. Film in South East Asia: Views from the Region. SEAPAVAA in association with the Vietnam Film Institute and the National Screen and Sound Archive of Australia, 2001.

Robert Stam, Film Theory: an Introduction. Malden, Mass: Blackwell, 1999.

Useful websites Elevating Discourse on Southeast Asian Cinema, criticine.com Senses of Cinema, Firecracker magazine, kakiseni.com (Malaysian arts and culture website featuring film reviews, etc.) Thai Film Foundation, http://www.thaifilm.com/article_en.asp Asian Film Archive, http://www.asianfilmarchive.org/ The Singapore films showcase, resource and independent cinema, http://www.sinema.sg/ Wise Kwai�??s Thai Films, http://www.geocities.com/curtis_winston/thaifilm-page1.html Indie Malaysia, http://www.ifilmindie.com/