Major texts of modern French literature. Readings and writing assignments in English for non-majors; in French for French majors and minors. Class discussions in English.

This course will introduce students to a number of classic films of the French New Wave, perhaps the most important and emblematic moment in modern cinema, and still a point of reference for filmmakers ranging from Quentin Tarantino and Martin Scorsese to Alfonso Cuarón and Wong Kar-Wai. Along the way, we will look at the theoretical and cultural factors that help explain this extraordinary flowering of filmmaking talent in the late 1950s and early 1960s; and we will also be reading some important short essays from the period that will help bring the films’ originality into focus. Movies screened will include works by Truffaut, Godard, Varda, Demy, Rohmer, Maker, and others. For additional details, please visit Dept. website at https://french.berkeley.edu.

Course taught in English. Films in French with English subtitles. All films will be available for streaming.

This course satisfies 1 “Literary/Genre” or 1 “Elective” course requirement in the French major. Satisfies 1 course for the French minor with approval.

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Requirements class fulfills