cfp.english.upenn.edu

FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM CONFERENCE IV
GENRES

Interested scholars are invited to submit papers on aspects of film from traditions other than English, for the fourth-annual Foreign Language Film Conference. The conference will take place October 7-9, 2010, at Louisiana State University (Baton Rouge).

The theme for FLFC IV will be “Genres.” We propose to consider how national cinematic traditions represent, challenge and redefine both individual genres and the question of genre itself. How does a film’s genre shape the story it tells, and affect its reception? Are genres absolute or relevant, shifting over time? What does it mean for a director to choose one genre or depart from it? How are new genres created? When and why do subgenres come into play? Abstracts are invited that discuss foreign language films in the following categories:

- Genres
o The classics, the moderns, the independents
o Intertextuality, permeability, and hybridity
o Directors, films, cinematic theory and genres

- Subgenres et al.
o Definitions, hierarchies, rules, roles of classification
o Questioning and challenging genres
o Underground, experimental and other(s)(’) cinemas

- Expectations and Reception
o Popularity, fads, longevity and posterity
o Geopolitics, cultures and genres
o Discussing cinematic genres in foreign language classes

These possible topics are not exhaustive and other suggestions are welcome. All submissions should be in English, including citations. Abstracts should include presenter’s name, contact address, telephone number, professional affiliation and status. Presentations should be no longer than 15-20 minutes including any media support.

Deadline for submission of abstracts (papers and panels): 1st June 2010.

Please send 250-word abstract as an email attachment in Microsoft Word format to Rosemary Peters (rpeters@lsu.edu) and Véronique Maisier (profmaisier@gmail.com).