Critical Approaches
Lesson 2
What makes film a valid university subject?
What do we mean by ‘critical approaches’?
• Critical approach: watching
and considering films in a
different way than a casual
spectator
• Critical approaches: more
than one way of studying
film
These approaches have been crucial in establishing and
developing Film Studies as an academic discipline.
Attempts to
rigorously
examine the
very nature
and functions
of film
what
distinguishes
it as a unique
art form
how films
work
what messages they
communicate about life
and society etc.
Is film an art form? Are all films art? Are all
films worthy of scholarly attention?
What roles does cinema play in society?
What are its social/political functions and
effects? Do they matter?
Is this film worthy
of academic
study?
Why/why not?
Are all films worthy of
scholarly attention?
Arguably yes, but perhaps
not always for the same
reasons
What roles does cinema play in
society?
What are its social/political
functions and effects?
What are the
implications of
how this film
represents
history?
… or how these
films represent
gender?
Does it matter?