Screening Report 9: Cuba: Chico & Rita

1) Relate what was discussed in class or the text to the screening.

A woman in our class presented her country report on anime films and its' origin/history just before we watched Chico & Rita. We then discussed the background of Cuba's history as a country and its film history.


2)  Find a related article and summarize the content. 

A.O. Scott started off his film review by stating; "Chico & Rita is an animated valentine to Cuba and its music. Sexy, sweet, and laced with a sadness at once specific to its place and time and accessible to anyone with a breakable heart. This film brings alive an almost unimaginably rich and resonant moment in musical history, switching between Havana and New York City and conveying the blend of soul and scholarship that signifies true jazz devotion. They are a fictional couple, but the star-crossed lovers and sometimes artistic collaborators cross paths with real-life legends such as Dizzie Gillespie, Thelonius Monk, and Chano Pozo, who was a great Cuban conga player. A whole palette of feeling- whimsy and pain, longing and laughter- can be experienced in the music, which combines a few vintage tunes with new compositions by Bebo Valdes, the great Cuban-born pianist, and composer. Mr. Valdes is also the physical and biographical inspiration for Chico, whom the film imagines in his prime and also in dignified old-age obscurity, shining shoes and sipping rum in a shabby Havana apartment. 

3) Apply the article to the film screened in class.

I thought the article did a good job of breaking down the historical and biographical, real-life context portrayed in the film. The film strives for a similar balance, evoking a tradition of showbusiness romanticism, even as it takes note of some of the harsh reality of history. The film helps you understand the importance of both your relationships and career goals because sometimes the two cannot mix together. Chico and Rita, who are Cubans of African descent, must deal with discrimination and exploitation as they pursue fame, fortune, and artistic fulfillment.

4) Write a critical analysis of the film, including your personal opinion,  formed as a result of the screening, class discussions, text material, and the article. 

I thought this film was one of the best movies we watched in as a class all semester long. It was entertaining and even a bit funny from the start, I loved the dialogue between characters. The animation was done very well, in terms of facial features and expressions. I have definitely never seen an animated film that was this graphic in terms of sexuality and nudity, but I think that gave it even more of a real-life feel to it. You can see the character growth and development in each character, from start to finish, as well as the different emotions and feelings they experience. This was a very well put together movie and I enjoyed it a lot. 

CHECKLIST FOR PLAGIARISM 
1) (  ) I have not handed in this assignment for any other class.

2) (  ) If I reused any information from other papers I have written for other classes, I clearly explain that in the paper.

3) (  ) If I used any passages word for word, I put quotations around those words, or used indentation and citation within the text.

4) (  ) I have not padded the bibliography. I have used all sources cited in the bibliography in the text of the paper.

5) (  ) I have cited in the bibliography only the pages I personally read.

6) (  ) I have used direct quotations only in cases where it could not be stated in another way. I cited the source within the paper and in the bibliography.

7) (  ) I did not so over-use direct quotations that the paper lacks interpretation or originality.

8) (  ) I checked yes on steps 1-7 and therefore have been fully transparent about the research and ideas used in my paper.

Name: ___Cameron Beall___________________________________  Date: _______5/10/18_____________________

Screening Report 8: Iran: Persepolis

1) Relate what was discussed in class or the text to the screening.

Prior to watching Persepolis in class, we discussed the current state of the country of Iran and how its past effected where they are as a country now. It's war-ridden history played a big part in where they are today, as well as its western ideologies. This relates back to Iran's view on western music, because Marjane was a person of her own, listening to music and wearing clothing that she knew was looked down upon by most of her country. 

2) Find a related article and summarize the content. 

In A.O. Scott's review of Persepolis, he specifically focused on the role of the female characters in the film. Them being Marjane, along with her mother and grandmother. He mentions the matriarchal power, which was rare at the time, and the effect it had on Marjane's character by the end of the film. 

"Ms. Darriuex's grandma is the sturdy matriarchal anchor of "Persepolis", a source of humor, advice and moral guidance for young Marjane, and also an embodiment of the film's no-nonsense feminism. Like her grandmother, Marjane is a natural rebel, someone who takes freedom as her birthright and dares the world to challenge her." 

Marjane grows up in a family of intellectuals who suffer first under the Shah's dictatorship and then, turn on their allies under the rule of mullahs. This political history is conveyed with impressive economy and visual wit. 

 3) Apply the article to the film screened in class. 

I definitely agree with the points Scott made about the strong focus on the role of female characters and the power of matriarchal influence on young women. I like how he mentioned that Marjane went against the forces of intolerance and superstition, and following her grandmother's example, takes a stand as a champion of enlightenment. While he focused on the matriarchal influence, he also mentioned the slight role of patriarchy as well. When bother Marjane's mother and father send her to Austria, where she experiences alienation. The choice was essentially up to her though, she could either be more or less "free" in Austria and give up her home, or she can return home at the cost of her freedom and individuality. 

4) Write a critical analysis of the film, including your personal opinion,  formed as a result of the screening, class discussions, text material, and the article. 

Not being a huge fan of animated films, I at first thought the film was a bit odd. But as it progressed, I began to appreciate it and see the historical importance and context it was portraying. The animation of it is done very well, as I don't think I've ever seen an animated film quite like it. The facial expressions and movements they were able to give the characters were amazing, especially the way it was able to create images of war. Marjane is a great example of a powerful female anime character in a film, which I have not seen much of before. 

CHECKLIST FOR PLAGIARISM 
1) ( x ) I have not handed in this assignment for any other class.

2) ( x ) If I reused any information from other papers I have written for other classes, I clearly explain that in the paper.

3) ( x ) If I used any passages word for word, I put quotations around those words, or used indentation and citation within the text.

4) ( x ) I have not padded the bibliography. I have used all sources cited in the bibliography in the text of the paper.

5) ( x ) I have cited in the bibliography only the pages I personally read.

6) ( xx ) I have used direct quotations only in cases where it could not be stated in another way. I cited the source within the paper and in the bibliography.

7) ( x) I did not so over-use direct quotations that the paper lacks interpretation or originality.

8) ( x ) I checked yes on steps 1-7 and therefore have been fully transparent about the research and ideas used in my paper.

Name: _Cameron Beall_____________________________________  Date: ______5/9/18______________________