You are asked to write a brief (say four or five pages, typed, double-spaced) essay on one of the following topics:
1 Compare two contemporary films from Latin America, selecting from five films we screened: Zama, Foreign Land, City of God, Heli, or Who the Hell is Juliette? All of these films have received critical acclaim and are said to offer a “commentary” on contemporary Latin America. What do the two films you select suggest about views, or interpretations, of Latin America today? What, in fact, is the view of the state in the two films and what does it mean for citizens? Alternatively, what do the films you select suggest about being today a citizen in one of Latin America’s many countries?
2 Compare the role of women portrayed in two contemporary Latin America films we have screened. One possibility is to compare Who the Hell is Juliette? with Foreign Land. Or either film could be compared with Heli.
3 Compare the classic Los olvidados (The Young and the Damned) with either City of God or Heli.
4 Compare the classic Mexican film María Candelaria with Heli. How has Mexico changed?
5 Compare Black Girl with Who the Hell is Juliette?
6 Compare Memories of Underdevelopment with Who the Hell is Juliette? What does the comparison suggest about how Cuba is perceived to have changed? Do intellectuals, including film directors, look at Cuba today the same way they did in the 1960s?
You do not need to do research for the writing of the paper (although you may draw upon assigned reading for the class). Instead, you should focus on your analysis of the films. Your essay should have an argument which is clearly stated in the introduction, developed and supported in the body of the essay, and reiterated in the conclusion.
Your essay should have a title page (with a title). Your essay should be built around cohesive paragraphs of four to six sentences. Each paragraph should have an explicit purpose, explained in a topic sentence. Do not use contractions, or colloquial words and phrases. Do not say “I think,” “I believe,” and other such expressions—just say what you have to say.
Your final drafts should be clean and neat, free of distractions from misspelled words and grammatical mistakes. Proofread at least your first draft, making any necessary corrections.
The essay should be sent to me as a word document attached to an email message. It is due before our final class meeting on May 25. That evening, at 6:00 pm, we will have our final examination.
