Silent cinema reached extraordinary artistic heights during the 1920s, with filmmakers around the world pushing the boundaries of what film could achieve. This course explores the international flowering of silent cinema and the dramatic transition to sound that forever changed the medium. We begin with the major artistic movements of European cinema, including German Expressionism, French Impressionism and the avant-garde, examining landmark works such as The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, Nosferatu and Metropolis. We then explore Soviet montage theory through the films of Eisenstein, Pudovkin and Vertov, while also considering the development of documentary filmmaking and the growth of film industries in India, Japan and China.

No prior knowledge is required. Designed as a standalone course or as a companion to Vol. 1, this series offers a rich exploration of the creativity, innovation and global influence of silent cinema.

DELIVERY MODE

Face to face

COURSE OUTLINE

• Week 1: Art Cinema in Europe
• Week 2: Montage and the Wider World
• Week 3: The Peak and the End of Silence (1927-1930)

LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

• Describe the major artistic movements and filmmaking innovations that shaped international silent cinema during the 1920s.
• Compare different national approaches to silent filmmaking, including European, Soviet and Asian traditions.
• Evaluate the significance of the transition from silent films to sound cinema and its impact on filmmakers and audiences.