This assignment will function a bit differently from previous module activities. Instead of researching a topic/subject and writing about it, you will construct an analysis of a sequence (scene) from a film and discuss what film elements and cinematic techniques are being utilized in this sequence to achieve meaning for its viewer. In other words, you will consider what content (narrative) is created by these elements and techniques (form).

GRADING: See the Module Activity Grading Criteria for detailed information regarding the minimum requirements.

MATERIALS: Use Chapter 9 in your textbook and the Chapter 9 Required Online Exploration. You will also need to gain access to one of the following four films all directed by Bong Joon-ho. Be sure that you are getting the title directed by Bong Joon-ho, which is why I provide the release date and the link directly to Amazon for three of them; other films with the same name for a couple of them exist out there, so don’t get confused. The titles are:

(You don’t have to watch the video, you can just Google video analysis

That’s what I usually do)

1. The Host (2006)
   • YouTube for FREE with ads: https://youtu.be/zdNqos19xSU
   • Amazon Prime: https://www.amazon.com/Host-English-Subtitled-Kang-ho-Song/dp/B0026ATDQE/ref=sr_1_5?crid=1FMYNAFYTBL4R&dchild=1&keywords=bong+joon-ho&qid=1585160581&sprefix=bong+j%2Caps%2C182&sr=8-5
2. Mother (2009)
   • Amazon Prime: https://www.amazon.com/Mother-Bong-Joon-Ho/dp/B003WKT27C/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1FMYNAFYTBL4R&dchild=1&keywords=bong+joon-ho&qid=1585160539&sprefix=bong+j%2Caps%2C182&sr=8-1
3. Okja (2017)
   • Available on Netflix only
4. Parasite (2019)
   • Amazon Prime: https://www.amazon.com/Parasite-English-Subtitled-Kang-Song/dp/B07YM14FRG/ref=sr_1_4?crid=1FMYNAFYTBL4R&dchild=1&keywords=bong+joon-ho&qid=1585160581&sprefix=bong+j%2Caps%2C182&sr=8-4

INSTRUCTIONS:

After choosing a film from above and watching it at least once, your first task when approaching this assignment is to choose a sequence from the film to focus on for your sequence analysis. To help you choose a worthwhile sequence to work with, consider the following questions:

• What is the narrative structure? How is the story being told?
• What sequences from the film best represent its use of film language? Remember, a sequence in a film works like a chapter in a book; it has distinct beginning and ending points.
• How are specific techniques within the film used to create ideas (in other words, how does form create content?) and what sequences fully showcase the director’s use of film language?
• What is particularly interesting about this film in terms of its form and style?
• What themes are explored in the film?

Keep in mind that these questions exist to help you identify a noteworthy sequence to work with. In some cases, I’ve had students answer these questions and submit it as their “analysis.” Needless to say, they didn’t cover the requirements of the assignment. The purpose of this assignment is to show me that you can apply and combine/synthesize the various elements, concepts, and techniques you have learned into a provocative sequence analysis, so this is just the starting point, since a good sequence analysis requires a good sequence to work with.

Now for the specifics of the written sequence analysis that you will submit for grading:

Provide a single sentence to explain the plot summary in the beginning (without any major spoilers!); this is a sequence analysis, not a summary of the film’s plot and your single sentence should be in your own words, as should the entire analysis. Recognize that themes and motifs in your chosen film are just as important as aesthetic techniques and you want to give adequate coverage to form in your sequence analysis.

Next, provide the beginning and end times for the sequence. Aside from this, explain where the sequence takes place in the film. No more than two sentences should suffice.

And now it’s time to write your analysis. You should assume authority over the analysis of your chosen film (i.e. write as an expert) and this analysis should not use any outside sources. This should be your interpretation of one sequence of a cinematic text and you should comment on all of the various film elements that make this particular sequence important and noteworthy.

Focus on two of the film elements explored in this module that stand out in your chosen film sequence. Here is a short list of the main film elements we have focused on in this module:

1. Production Design
2. Cinematography
3. Editing
4. Sound

The goal is to assert evaluative claims about your chosen film and to analyze both the film’s form (elements and techniques) and its content (narrative, themes, and ideology) to support your claims. A fun title always helps too!