Week Four: Women Make Film Episode 4
Tuesday, September 22
Night Four: Staging, Journey and Discovery
Two Airings on TCM: 8:00 PM and 11:00 PM
Women Make Film: A New Road Movie Through Cinema Episode 4 moves away from the “photographic language of movies” to the interaction of people and things in front of the camera. Chapter 9 explores staging and how people and things move within the space held by the camera and thereby shape the space. Staging is a kind of choreography; it’s movement. While staging is used in live theater and in film, cinema is literally moving pictures. Chapter 10 examines journey as a theme and conveyor of movement in many films. From lone travelers taking to the open road, to twosomes thrust into adventure, to high-stakes chases, journey can carry a film. Discovery – in childhood, adulthood and old age – and what it reveals to characters is the subject of chapter 11.
Complementary Film Schedule
Airing on TCM, times given in Eastern Time
9:15 PM – The Cave of the Yellow Dog (2005) directed by Byambasuren Davaa
12:15 AM – Salaam Bombay! (1988) directed by Mira Nair
2:30 AM – Daughters of the Dust (1991) directed by Julie Dash
4:30 AM – Krane’s Confectionery (1951) directed by Astrid Henning-Jensen
6:30 AM – Mikey and Nicky (1976) directed by Elaine May
8:45 AM – The Juniper Tree (1990) directed by Nietzchka Keene
10:15 AM – The Women Who Loved Cinema (1 & 2) (2002) directed by Marianne Khoury
Academy Assignment
For individual pondering or sharing via the site comments. Watch one of this week’s films through the lens of staging, journey or discovery. Questions to consider:
- What scene stands out as one with distinct staging of people and things?
- How did a journey push or pull a character in a particular direction?
- How was discovery or something hidden used to further the story?
- Bonus: How did the Women Make Film staging, journey or discovery chapter material influence how you watched this film?
Classic Couple perspectives will be shared before next week’s assignment so check back regularly.