This midterm asks you to draw upon your class notes, readings for class to date, and the first five class films: Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, Earth, Garam Hawa, Train to Pakistan, and Pyaasa.You are asked to write a total of FIVEresponse essays, which you may select as indicated from the following twelve questions. In your answers, you may wish to consider the specific visuality of the film(s) you are discussing and how that visuality is created; how the film(s) are involved in history; and how the film(s) promote some set of beliefs (such as a certain political ideology or a set of social values). Your answers should draw from course readings and discussions as well as from your own responses to the film.
Part I: Write an essay (approx three-quarters of a page, single-spaced) on TWO of the following questions:
What are the key characteristics of Bollywood cinema? How is it distinguished from an art film (parallel cinema)?
Explain the concept of subaltern and give at least one example of a film from class in which the concept of the subaltern can be perceived.
Part II: Write an essay (approx one page, single-spaced) on THREE of the following questions:
How is the other nation construed in Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, Pyaasa, and either GaramHawaor TraintoPakistan? How is anti-othering accomplished in these films?
Discuss the present-tense framing of Bhaag Milkha Bhaag,Earth,andTrain to Pakistan. What is the role of the present-tense/past-tense dialectic and why is it such a common
2 cinematic devices in South Asian film?
links to summaries for films: (use for film questions)
https://www.gradesaver.com/train-to-pakistan/study-guide/summary
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2356180/plotsummary
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhaag_Milkha_Bhaag
http://tech.mit.edu/V119/N50/eartha.50a.html
https://www.youthkiawaaz.com/2015/02/pyaasa-movie-review/#:~:text=Pyaasa%20is%20a%20story%20of,abandons%20art%20as%20a%20trend.
