There are two papers for the course. The first paper (due in the 5th week) should examine one of the themes we have discussed in class that occurs in a Japanese film not shown in class.
      These themes, giri vs. ninjo, the use of the past to reflect on the present, the place of people in nature, and depiction of gender, do not occur in all films (nor should you attempt to discuss all of them in our paper). Choose ONE of these themes and examine it in a film which you have watched outside of the class (and which is not on the list of films to be shown).
      You should make sure that the paper is analytical and does not just "retell" the story. I am not looking for a synopsis for "A Guide to Japanese Films". You should in fact avoid this. The paper should stress the way in which the theme is handled by the film maker.

      The second paper (due April 16th) should concern a film of a different genre than the first. If you chose a period piece (jidaigeki) for you first paper, select a different genre for the second. Under no circumstances whould you do two animation films.
      In this paper, you should discuss one of the following:

            (1) Some motion picture technique which seems to you to be typically Japanese and how it impacts the film you watched, not seen in class.
            (2) Some aspect of style of a Japanese director. For this you need to see more than one of the director's films (some may be in class)
            (3) Compare a "period" (jidai-geki)film with a "modern" (gendai-geki) film and indicate what differences there are in these and style
            (4) Compare a film made by a Japanese director and the same film made by an American director relative to the differences in the ways the films are handled (e.g. Rashomon/Outrage; Seven Samurai/Magnificent Seven; Ringu/Ringu; Tokyo Monogatari/Make Way for Tomorrow etc.)
            (5) Examine some these that is common to a few films and discuss the way the theme is visually handled.

It is important that in the choice that deals with comparing Western and Japanese films of the same story you must o several things. First you need to explain on what grounds the stories are "the same". Some are clear like those above, but is Kumonosu-jo (Throne of Blood) really Macbeth; or is Ran really King Lear?

Once you decide if the two films are really "the same" your comparison must examine the two films to find significant contrasts is film technique. DO NOT WRITE SOMETHING LIKE "Both films are in color"! Discuss the way the characters are handled, organized in shots, use of color, music and so on.

IMPORTANT NOTE: NEW OPTION

Remember your grades are based on the two papers and the final. If you like, you may write a paper which is more in depth (say 15 - 20+ pages) which you may use for the second paper as well as the final examination.

If you write the short paper (3-5 pages) you must turn it in the first Wed. you come back from the spring break. If you choose to write the longer paper it must be turned in NO LATER THAN THE DATE OF THE FINAL.