I teach freedom as opposed to determinism and fatalism using Stranger than
Fiction (admittedly this is to 16 yr olds). It is inconsistent in its
presentation but accessible for my cohort
rwm

-----Original Message-----
From: Film-Philosophy [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of
Shaw, Dan
Sent: Friday, 15 October 2010 5:29 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Explorations on Freedom in a Classic Film

If you mean freedom as opposed to determinism, one of the most persuasive
cases for freedom of will can be found in Run Lola Run, with the three
versions of what she chooses and how each series of events turns out so
differently  as a result


Professor Daniel Shaw
Chair, Philosophy Department
Lock Haven University     (570) 484-2052
Managing Editor, Film and Philosophy

"Hope is the thing with feathers--/ that perches in the soul--/ and sings
the tune without the words--/ and never stops at all."

Emily Dickinson
________________________________________
From: Film-Philosophy [[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Frank,
Michael [[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Thursday, October 14, 2010 1:51 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Explorations on Freedom in a Classic Film

i'm assuming you mean what might be called political freedom - in which case
lots of costa-gavras is an obvious choice - but there are many many options

or might you mean something more nuanced, like existential freedom, or
psychological freedom, or freedom of conscience, usw.?? . . . those woud
lead in very different directions

m

From: Film-Philosophy [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of
Nathan Andersen
Sent: Thursday, October 14, 2010 11:49 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Explorations on Freedom in a Classic Film

I'm looking for a film that would serve as the basis for a provocative
discussion of freedom, for a freshmen-level survey course on great themes in
literature and art.  I didn't design the course, but have some input, and
introduced Rashomon for discussion under the heading of "truth"; I'd like to
introduce something comparable in "classic status" as one of the things to
be considered in connection with "freedom."

Any ideas?

My first thought is Pontecorvo's "Burn!" but it's a bit too obscure (and
probably too depressing) for this class.  "Battle of Algiers" probably has
the classic status, but I'm not sure that's the right film for this topic.

The nationality of the film doesn't matter as long as it's a kind of
recognized and obviously important "canonical" work (I don't want to start
an argument here about the canon in film - let's say, for example, Zulawski,
however brilliant and provocative, is not part of the canon, but Kurosawa
is, and most of Fellini is, and so is Welles, and Ford, etc. - is clear
enough, and I'm happy to take any suggestions).

thanks in advance!

Nate
--
Nathan Andersen
Associate Prof. of Philosophy
Director, International Cinema at Eckerd College
4200 54th Ave. S.
Saint Petersburg, FL 33711
(727) 864-7551
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