Bright Sun Mansion Critique/Reflection

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1. Introduce/Summarize. Demonstrate careful viewing and understanding of the assigned film by providing key contextual details about its production and distribution, and by concisely summarizing its main themes, concerns, and stylistic features.

2. Analyze. Closely examine just one element of the film using illustrative examples or—in the case of script analysis—direct quotes that you fully contextualize and analyze. Remember that there are many potential elements besides the script to analyze in a film, including the scenic design, the sound design, the costume design, the lighting design, the cinematography, the editing, the actors' performances, and so on. If you've studied film in previous classes and know filmmaking terminology, you're welcome to use it, but what's most important is that you're able to analyze the film in your own words.

3. Respond. Share your opinion of the film, based on your own subjective viewing, and reflect on the relative effectiveness of the artist’s aesthetic choices in conveying ideas, telling a story, and/or evoking an atmosphere. If the film reminded you of material you'd previously encountered—including course readings or other films—or in some way spoke to your personal experience, you're welcome to draw connections to these. You're also welcome to include relevant details or quotes from the supplemental interviews/articles assigned with the films. Just be careful not to spin off on a tangent that pulls too much focus away from the film, which is the subject of your response.

The critical response is not thesis-based: it is analysis and reflection, not argumentation. What I'm proposing you aim for is a high level of attention, precision, and context, and a thoughtful, logical order to your information and ideas. You should write your critical response using the first-person "I," as it is understood to be based on your individual viewing and interpretation of the film.