International Film Comparison Paper

Watch Ingmar Bergman’s classic 1957 poetic drama The Seventh Seal. Then you may choose
from ONE (1) of the four other films below. After watching The Seventh Seal and the film of
your choice, use the knowledge you have learned thus far in class to compare and contrast the
two films.

REQUIREMENTS

 It will be up to you to come up with an argument that encompasses both films.

 You will need to compare and contrast several elements of the films, developing a multi-
perspective analysis of local, global, international, and communication issues throughout
the films.
 One other source besides Stephen Prince’s Movies and Meaning is required. You cannot
cite IMDB or Wikipedia. Do some research on the director of your film. If you have time
to watch another of his or her films, I encourage you.
 You will then write a 3-4 double-spaced page paper that analyzes and exposes what you
learned from the course about the given films.
As your paper will analyze films directed/written by people from different countries, it is crucial
to dissect how these filmmakers approach the elements of filmmaking to tell a narrative. Some
of the elements to consider are, but not limited to:

 Film Structure
 Cinematography
 Design
 Editing
 Acting
 Sound
 Genre
 Visual effects

Make sure you explain each component you choose in detail and defend your arguments with
sources!
Be sure to write your paper in APA format citing the text when necessary. Include an abstract,
introduction, body paragraphs, conclusion and reference page. The paper will be submitted to
the Turnitin Dropbox on Canvas.

CRITERIA

I will deduct points for poor grammar, informality of expression, and failure to comply with
APA style. If you don’t have a manual, find an online style guide.
Don’t be informal. You’re writing a paper, not a discussion. Don’t offer opinions that sound
like social media posts. Writing, “Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown had incredible
performances!” will get you points knocked off.
Use topic sentences. These are the first sentences of your paragraphs, the organizing ideas. For
example: “Thanks to its use of deep focus and Walter Murch’s sound design, Apocalypse Now
recreates the experience of barely surviving a war in Southeast Asia.”
You must cite the Prince textbook and any relevant secondary sources. If you have seen
movies to which you can compare The Seventh Seal and the other film of your choice, also cite
them. Your paper will be richer if it demonstrates a familiarity with film as a cross-
generational conversation.

ACCESS

To watch these films, you need to visit https://library.fiu.edu/filmandtv/resources and click on

Kanopy Streaming Videos. Create an account. If you access Kanopy through the FIU Library, it
is a free service. I suggest using your FIU log-in info for easy remembering.
Several public libraries have these films available for checkout on DVD or Blu-ray.

Netflix, Amazon, and other streaming services may offer them too.

FILMS
Use IMDB or Wikipedia to read synopses.

 The Seventh Seal (1957), directed by Ingmar Bergman (REQUIRED).

Then choose ONE (1) of the following:
 Eraserhead (1978), directed by David Lynch (United States)
 Wings of Desire (1987), directed by Wim Wenders (Germany)
 13 Assassins (2011), directed by Takashi Miike

FORMAT

Your paper is to be written in an APA-Style format. This includes the following:

 12-point font
 Times New Roman font
 Double-spaced
 1-inch margins
 cover page
 reference page
 in-text citations
For more detailed instructions and information on how to write an APA-style paper, please visit
https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/. There is an extensive databank on how to incorporate in-text
citations, and properly format your references.