Film Analysis Assignment

Overview (Definition)

As simplified by John Rawls (1971), "[C]ivil disobedience is a public, non-violent and conscientious breach of law undertaken with the aim of bringing about a change in laws or government policies. On this account, people who engage in civil disobedience are willing to accept the legal consequences of their actions, as this shows their fidelity to the rule of law. Civil disobedience, given its place at the boundary of fidelity to law, is said to fall between legal protest, on the one hand, and conscientious refusal, revolutionary action, militant protest and [organized] forcible resistance, on the other hand."

Writing Prompt:

• Considering this brief definition, your assigned readings and lecture videos concerning civil disobedience, how has your film portrayed the act of civil disobedience? What is the creator's message about the political and/or civil unrest in the film and civil disobedience, and more importantly, how does the various narrative and cinematic techniques function to rely the creator's message?

Also, as you review your film, consider the following questions:

• How does the changing consciousness and the developing awareness of the major characters affect the story and help the audience discover the theme?
• What acts in the movie do you consider civil disobedience?
• Do the results justify the means?

To support your answer, reflect on the various visual elements used. Remember, the author uses these elements to help guide readers to his or her message. Your analysis will explain how these elements influence the audience and solidify the creator's message.

Select one of the following films for your analysis:

• Gandhi (1982)
• V for Vendetta (2006)
• Milk (2008)
• Selma (2014)
• Straight Outta Compton (2015)

Length: In standard written English, write 750-word (850 max) essay using MLA conventions for formatting, in-text citations, and a works cited list. Your essay should be an analytical essay that explains the overall message and/or effectiveness of a visual piece. You must provide an explicit thesis -located in your introduction- that will provide a focus for your paper.

Genre: This is a formal analysis paper; you may not use first or second person (example: avoid "I think," "I believe," "I discovered," "you can see," "you should understand," etc.) Also, follow MLA formatting and documentation rules. Write your analysis in essay form, typed and double-spaced.

Audience: For this essay, you will be writing to academic professionals. You are to dissect the film, analyze it, and synthesize it, critically. Keep in mind, you are not arguing the issue, but how effective the creator presents it.

Visual Analysis Steps

1. Study the assigned film by watching it several times, answering the questions on the basic approach to analysis of the whole film ("Cinematic Techniques").
2. After watching the film, choose four or five elements that contribute significantly to the film's overall effect, and analyze, in some detail, the contributions of each. Use technical terms and concepts discussed when they are pertinent to your analysis.
3. Use your analyses of the individual film elements as the body of your paper; then add an introductory paragraph (providing context, a brief summary, and your claim), transitions, and a conclusion (evaluating the significance of the film) to shape the paper into a complete essay.
4. Include an accurate works cited page with all of your sources