Class Minutes :   Monday   2/19/01

The first part of the class was used discussing the formal short-length paper.  Dr. Reimer emphasized the word formal.  The paper needs to be well organized, well structured, and well stated.  Dr. Reimer showed a few sentences from previous students’ papers as examples of past attempts at proper thesis sentences.  The main idea must be clearly stated so that no interpretation or “sympathetic reading” is required.  The introduction of the paper should include the film title, the full name of the director, and the year the film was made.  The movie title is to be underlined or italicized, not placed in quotations.  Avoid using vague terminology such as “it” without an obvious antecedent, or unidentified “you”.  Proof-reading of the paper is a must.  Dr. Reimer suggested to have another person read the paper for a check.  Another proof-reading suggestion given was to read the paper aloud to detect any missing or misplaced words.  As for the topic of the paper, the requirements are found in the syllabus, but to restate: the paper is to be a formal, short-length (approx. 3 pages) essay discussing any film; it may or may not relate to the future medium-length (8 pages) paper.

 The second part of class was used to discuss Through a Glass Darkly (director Ingmar Bergman, 1961).  Dr. Reimer handed out a copy of the original ending of the screenplay.  He then had three students read aloud the script.  Then Dr. Reimer showed the film ending.  Afterwards, the class discussed why Bergman changed the ending in the film.  The original ending shows Minus and David walking along a beach having their conversation.  The film ending places Minus and David inside the house.  Among the reasons for the change: walking and splashing along a beach seems very upbeat in comparison to the rest of the movie;  Bergman wanted to show that Minus and David would not forget Karin’s problem since they were both still in the house;  inside the house, Bergman is able to bring Minus and David very close together, and yet show separation (the window pane divides the two characters).

 The remaining part of class was used to start answering the questions for the film.   Question 1 was to describe “Bergmanesque” qualities in the film.  A few of the responses:

·        God - His silence and neglect; spider god

·        Death - suicide (David’s contemplation), ghosts (the voices Karin hears), “dance of death” (the opening scene when all four characters are walking in a line...Bergman uses this as a symbol of people following the “pied piper” of Death)

·        Character traits - two characters within one (the two sides of Karin), reconciliation (Minus and David and their broken father/son relationship)

·        Actors and Acting - the “Shakespearelike” play

·        Performances in performances - echoes one of the main themes, again the play put on by Minus, Karin, and Martin

·        Light and shadow - the opening view of the water with all of it’s moving shadows; heavily shadowed scenes with minimal lighting, such as candlelight or lanterns; the movie is focused on early dawn and twilight time (birth and death image); shadow scenes of crucifix (during David’s crying scene when he is looking out the window, he leans both hands against the wall, and his head is bent in inner pain)

·        Half-lighted faces - this shows the double nature of a person (Karin and her two selves)

·        Closeups - allows audience to view pure emotion on the faces of the characters

·        Imprisonment - the four characters are on an island; Karin is experiencing self-entrapment with her dual nature; the wrecked ship; the wall-papered room

·        Sounds - guitar during the play; Karin’s rooster crow; whispers; bird’s cry; helicopter; the cello chamber music at dramatic points

Question 2 was to state the themes of the movie.  A few of the responses:

·        loneliness

·        search for God

·        brokenness

·        life and death

 The class ended here.  Take note:  these are the titles of films along with the directors and dates for the clips that will be shown in class on Wednesday 2/21/01.

·        Fassbinder’s   Katzelmachrer (1969) and   Marriage of Marie Braun (1979)

·        Herzog ‘s  Woyzeck (1979)

·        Schlöndorff ‘s  Tin Drum (1979)

·        Wim Wenders’   Wings of Desire (1987)