Sumários

21 Setembro 2026, 10:00 • José Alberto Olivença Duarte

Discussion of the film Shadows (John Cassavetes, 1959): independent cinema, New American Wave, features and characteristics.

17 Setembro 2026, 10:00 • José Alberto Olivença Duarte

Brief History of American Independent Cinema I (from the early period to the 60s)

14 Setembro 2026, 10:00 • José Alberto Olivença Duarte

Meeting with students to explain how classes are organized, including the syllabus

and assessment.

KEY QUESTIONS FOR THE SEMESTER:

1. How does American independent cinema differ from the classical Hollywood

model, in terms of production, aesthetics, and storytelling?

2. How do independent films represent social experiences, identities, and conflicts

that are often marginalized or absent from mainstream cinema? What do these

representations tell us about American society at different historical moments?

ASSESSMENT: One written test (40%) and one oral presentation (40%) + 20%

attendance and participation. Written exam was scheduled for November 5.

NOTE: In-class participation will have an impact on your final mark.

ORAL PRESENTATION: The oral presentation must be done in groups of 3, with no

exceptions. It should consist in a 10-12 minute presentation of an independent film of yoru

choicer based on the list available online.

Each group is responsible for sending the teacher the necessary information about their

project: title of the project (which should include the film you are going to analyze) and

group participants, to avoid repetition. You will have access to a list of films that you can

choose from via Google Drive, as well as other materials.

The presentation should address the two key questions of the course:

a) How can the film be understood as an example of American independent cinema,

considering its production, aesthetics, narrative, or relationship with Hollywood?

b) What social, cultural, political, or identity-related issues does the film explore, and

how are these conveyed through its visual and narrative choices?

If students need to clarify any doubts regarding the final essay, they can schedule a zoom

meeting with the teacher.

* Your choices and groups are to be sent by email until November 16.