Duration
30h Th
Number of credits
Lecturer
Language(s) of instruction
French language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the second semester
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
The Master seminar on contemporary documentary cinema is structured in two distinct but interdependent parts. The first part of the course (4 sessions) introduces students to a set of texts from the Critical Theory (Frankfurt School), which question and problematize the situation, issues and critical potentialities of cultural productions in a given society. At the end of this first part, students will master a series of theoretical tools enabling them to question and evaluate the critical and political significance and effects of a contemporary documentary film. The second part of the course (6 sessions) is made up of a series of screenings introduced by the instructor and followed by a long collective discussion aimed at analyzing and problematizing the screened films. While the foundations of the course " are thus theoretical and philosphical, its purpose is resolutely practical, since the second part of the course aims to train students in the problematization of contemporary documentary productions, as they may do it in the context of professional activities relating to the selection (festivals, programming, etc.), evaluation (commissions, juries, production, etc.) or mediation (festivals, screening series, etc.) of contemporary documentary works. In 2024-2025, the corpus of films analyzed and discussed a will be made up exclusively of contemporary Belgian documentaries by women directors on a range of migration-related themes. In particular, the works of the following directors will be analyzed: Chantal Akerman, Isabelle Ingold and Vivianne Perelmuter, Hara Kaminara, Mary Jimenez and Bénédicte Liénard.
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
At the end of this seminar, students will be able to develop a precise, in-depth and personal analysis of a documentary object by crossing it with theoretical texts issued in other fields than film studies (philosophy, sociology, media studies). In addition, this expertise will be valued though the acquisition of profesional skills in the field of selection, evaluation and mediation of contemporary documentary works.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
Students must have followed earlier courses in the field of history and/or theory of documentary cinema.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
Readings, screenings, seminar discussions, and oral presentations.
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
face-to-face
Course materials and recommended or required readings
A reader will be available via MyULiège (required readings).
Written work / report
Further information:
Students are requested to write a 10 pages essay, presenting a personal, in-depth and rigorous analysis of a documentary film and its political potentialities by crossing it with the theoretical notions and concepts seen in class (first part of the course). The chosen film will be submitted to the teacher for approval.
Work placement(s)
Organisational remarks and main changes to the course
Contacts
Jeremy Hamers
jhamers@uliege.be