A Companion to Film is designed for everyday lovers of film who want to do more than simply look at then forget the films they see. It is geared towards people who regard film as more than just entertainment but as a form of art that offers thoughtful penetrating insights into everyday life, or new and interesting perspectives on things you may not have considered before. The course also offers you a chance to make your own short film should you choose and have it looked at in class.
The course will conclude with an exclusive tour by Mr Jean Pierre Borg of the Malta Film Studios and Fort Ricasoli in Kalkara on Saturday 16th January 2027 from 09:00 to 11:00. This is an occasion for the participants to be introduced to Malta’s rich 100-year film heritage. The visit will offer you the opportunity to see the renowned Rinella water tanks, as well as surviving sets from Gladiator II within the historic setting of Fort Ricasoli. Meeting place would be at the Film Studios Gate (https://maps.app.goo.gl/1B5JFrQuBCfXSP4Y9)
The Course aims to:
- Introduce you to a range of films from all over the world;
- develop and extend your knowledge and understanding of the elements of film such as lighting, sound, different forms of storytelling, and the role of time;
- develop and expand your understanding of different forms of cinema from various cultural contexts;
- develop and extend your skills in critical interpretation and fact-based analysis of films;
- understand and discern differences of film genres such as shorts, Westerns, Crime Thrillers, etc;
- develop your speaking skills about films through class discussions;
- develop and expand your knowledge of film as art and how art connects with everyday life;
- discuss and critically assess developments in techniques and technology including Artificial Intelligence; and
- give you a chance to develop your own film-making skills, should you want to.
By the end of the Course you will be able to:
- discuss a variety of films that you may not have encountered;
- explain the elements of film and what effects these elements can create;
- distinguish between different film cultures reflect different societies from around the world;
- critically appraise films drawing on evidence derived from the productions themselves;
- distinguish a number of different film genres;
- express your views and opinions in a respectful, factual, friendly, and discursive environment
- assess art, discuss what makes film an art form, and the importance of art in everyday life;
- explain the impact of technology on modern society including the emergence of Artificial Intelligence and autonomous robotics and drones; and
- make your own short film and had it shown and discussed in class.
