Period Dramas in Japan FINAL PAPER

Period Dramas in Japan FINAL PAPER

1Jidaigeki: Period Dramas in JapanFINAL PAPERChoose ONE of the following questions, develop a well-defined and original thesis, and discuss it in detail inan essay of 5-8 pages, typed and double-spaced. There are two basic requirements that your paper mustfollow. 1) You must include a close and careful film analysis of a segment or segments, and 2) you must usethis analysis to advance your argument.1. Compare and contrast Sadao Yamanaka’s use of jidaigeki in Humanity and Paper Balloons withToshio Matsumoto’s take on jidaigeki in Pandemonium. How do they address the political and socialrealities of 1930s and early 1970s Japan respectively? You may focus on a few recurring themes (e.g.money, class, code of honor).2. Discuss “Americanism” in Hibari’s Ishimatsu and reflect on the film’s social and cultural meaningsby drawing on at least two course readings. Be as specific as possible with your examples.3. Discuss cinematic constructions of masculinity in two films of your own choosing. You may focuson how the films portray the main male character(s)’s bodies and actions and consider how the films’formal and stylistic features contribute to your perception of their masculinity.4. Discuss the use and abuse of history in at least two jidaigeki films shown in class, and consider theirpolitical and ethical implications. What kind of strategies do they use to produce a sense of “pastness”?Be sure to draw on course readings, and make sure to support your argument with cinematicexamples.Submission Guidelines1. Please prepare your paper in doc./docx., pdf, or rtf format.2. If you would like to receive comments on your final paper, please indicate so.3. Please do not include any identifying information in the document you upload via Turnitin.Due, March 21 at 11:59 p.m.