Writing Across Cultures

Take a look at Ingmar Bergman . Considered the most influential Swedish director, his films are artistic masterpieces and generally regarded as excellent the world over. You should particularly pay attention and read "technique" and "themes" in the article. Here's a few clips of various famous films: The Seventh Seal (1957) Wild Strawberries (1957) Italian dubbing. Through a Glass Darkly (1961) The Silence (1963) Persona (1966) Scenes from a Marriage (1973) The Magic Flute (1975) Autumn Sonata (1978) Fanny & Alexander (1982) Saraband (2002) Ingmar Bergman interview (part 1 of 6) You can view the other parts on the sidebar if interested. Woody Allen on Ingmar Bergman (part 1 of 2); again, if interested check out the second part. The interviews have some great clips from Bergman's films.

Today (Monday) we are going to chat about the Gothic Tales. Please participate in the discussion for credit. The Seven Tales are : The Deluge at Norderney The Roads Round Pisa The Supper at Elsinore The Poet The Dreamers The Monkey The Old Chevalier Karen Blixen wrote the Seven Gothic Tales under the pseudonym Isak Dinesen, perhaps so that the publisher would take her work seriously. Isak in Hebrew means "one who laughs" and it seems that Blixen did indeed get the last laugh on her public. Published in Denmark in 1935, the book was a best seller and she rocketed to fame. Some critics indicate that there is a bit of "one who laughs" in her stories. There are ironic and humor, even in the tragic stories. Dinesen, like her characters, is hiding behind her storytelling. We can consider why an author decides to hide in historical or early settings. In a world so very realistic, writers sometimes suggest that fiction attempts to present the truth in mythic,...

Please take a look at the links for Albert Camus. Please use them to take notes on the following. You may use this information to help you answer your homework (due Wednesday): Existentialism Albert Camus 1. Jot down a few notes about Camus' life and biography. 2. In your own words explain Camus' view on Absurdity. 3. In your own words explain Camus' view on Solidarity. 4. Who was Sisyphus and how might this myth be a good example of absurdity? 5. Explain Existentialism. 6. How might The Stranger be considered an example of existentialism? What is Camus' point about the meaning of our lives? 7. What are some basic principals, movements or themes of existentialism? Choose a quote from Albert Camus and use this somehow in your writing (either as an epigram or perhaps as a starting point for a story/poem/essay/script.) By the way, the link on the right also has a plethora of other existential ideas. Peruse and use any of these topics to help you create writ...

Information about Isak Dinesen is posted here . Please read about her. Seven Gothic Tales was first published in 1934. It is written in the Modern style, but is borrowing heavily on the tradition of Gothic literature (more info forthcoming). Please read ONE of the seven tales in Dinesen's collection. You may, of course, read more than one if you wish. Your tale should be read by next week, so please start. More details will follow on Friday. Here's a few clips: Out of Africa trailer. Out of Africa (a school project) from the novel. Babbette's Feast trailer. Karen Blixen in the U.S. The Blixen Museum in Denmark .