Paper #2

Discussing specific details from one of the films you watch at the Athens Film Festival, develop some idea you have about how the film works to make its point(s). In other words, what does the movie say and how does it say it?

Your paper should be a critical analysis and not a plot summary. For the most part, you should assume that your reader is familiar with the film, including limited summary only as needed to make clear what your assertions refer to. At the same time, there should be enough detail that someone who hasn't seen the film will be able to get something out of what you write, even if they don't understand everything that happened. It is not necessary to keep the ending secret. If how the film ends is important to a critical discussion of what the film means, then it needs to be discussed.

Finally, you are free to look into what other critics have written about the movie. You should, however, get your basic ideas down first, and then see if what others have said lends any insight into your reading. Remember that you must give credit for any ideas that are not your own with proper MLA citations.

• Rough Draft: at individual conferences May 2-4--two copies
• Revision: Tuesday, May 6--four copies for workshop
• Final: Monday, May 12