The Hour of the Furnaces
watch the clip from Solanas and Getino’s The Hour of the Furnaces below. Using your FH textbook, the “Towards a Third Cinema” manifesto, and our lecture video on the film and manifesto, closely analyze the clip and write an argument about the meaning and effect this clip has on its viewer. The clip is part of the film chapter “Ideological War” in The Hour of the Furnaces, so feel encouraged to see where it is located in relationship to the other chapters in the film (its towards the end). In your answer, make sure to write about specific examples in the clip, that you vividly describe, to make your argument about the meaning and effect the clip has on its viewers–and, perhaps, the intentions of the filmmakers, especially since we have their manifesto. 2. This week you have seen multiple examples of political filmmaking: in Third Cinema (Battle of Algiers, The Hour of the Furnaces, One Way or Another, Xala), in Political Modernist film (Tout Va Bien), and in New German Cinema (The Marriage of Maria Braun) . Within these political film movements, you have witnessed different approaches and styles of filmmaking, everything from mainstream political narrative film, to experimental documentary, to fiction films that use documentary techniques, to films that are not clearly fictional or documentary, but more of a hybrid between the two. For this question, please make an argument for what styles, approaches, principles, techniques, etc. you believe are the most effective for achieving the aims of political filmmaking. It will be important to address the specific political contexts and aims of the films and film movements you choose as examples in your answer. However, you can also think creatively. What kinds of techniques, styles, principles would you borrow to make your own political film? Though this question asks you to think creatively, it is just as important to demonstrate your knowledge from this week’s course materials and to use (at least) two specific film examples in your answer. 3. Choose one film from this week and relate it to last week’s film The Spook Who Sat by the Door (Ivan Dixon, 1972). Your answer can compare the two films, contrast the two film, or focus on a particular relationship they share. The connection between the two films will be up to you. Remember, the strongest answers are those that highlight your knowledge of the course materials and pull from multiple places (lecture, readings, screenings, videos) to construct your answer. Strong answers also provide specific examples to back up your claims. PLEASE NOTE: Written clearly, proofread, organized in a clear and effective way (no more than 300 words per question) Addresses the questions directly and completely (especially, if there are multiple parts to the question) Demonstrates (even highlights) knowledge of the course materials, especially by constructing answers with examples that connect readings, lectures, and films Integrates quotations from textbook, readings, lecture videos, or films (needs to be cited correctly, MLA style (Links to an external site.) , and appropriatelynot too much quotation, addressed in your own words after citing) Demonstrates deep analytical and critical thinking (through a cultural studies lens) Attentive to the political and historical context of the period, film, filmmaker, movement, etc. being written about When appropriate, develops a strong argument that is proven through well-chosen evidence that is vividly described in your answer
