Course materials

1. Write an essay on two of the following topics: (you can connect the two
topics i
Write an essay on two of the following topics: (you can connect the two topics in your essay
or you can write one page about one topic, and the second page about the other topic you
select. Please clearly state the topic you are analyzing).1. Describe the relationship between
Bruno and his father, and how it develops and changes.2. Compare Marina and Pina. What
are their main differences and what is their philosophy of life?3. Analyze and compare the
important role of the children in both movies, particularly in the last scene. What message is
the director giving us through them?4. Bicycle Thieves and Rome Open City are considered
the two masterpieces of Neorealism.5. How do they represent the main characteristics of
this movement? Provide specific examples.Analyze a specific element of mise-en-scène and
make an argument for how its use functions in the film. You might consider how 2 elements
of the same cinematic element work together to achieve a certain expressive meaning (e.g.
costume and blocking for mise-en-scène). Consider the entire film, but you may want to
analyze a specific scene. How does it contribute to your interpretation of the film as a
whole? (Some of you might want to analyze the films from a more technical point of view.
This would be your option.)Requirements:1. 2 pages (4 pages maximum) word or pdf
document (Typed, 12-point font and double-spaced, MLA format).2. Integrate support from
assigned readings, digital sources, and films. (Bondanella, Sizov, and articles read).3. Use
proper MLA format to include 3 sources in a Works Cited page (2 should be our books or
articles selected in the reading section of the Module & 1 the film, plus other material you
read or you find online). This does NOT count as 1 of your 2 pages.4. Have a clear,
developed thesis and critically analyze the texts and films.5. The essay should have a title
(or two titles if you decide to analyze the two topics separately).