Volker Schlöndorff - Seminars / Workshops / Lectures

LITERARY CINEMA: The Transformation of Thought (3 Credits)

Volker Schlöndorff

Description: This course examines the relationship between literature and cinema. We will examine the innovative interpretative works of Volker Schlöndorff. His ability to adapt literature into film provides the grounding for this course. Demonstrating the transformation of literary texts — of authors diverse as Günther Grass, Heinrich Böll, Marcel Proust, Max Frisch, Michel Tournier, Margaret Atkins, James Hadley Chase — into cinematic art. We will explore the philosophical relationship between literature and film, the change in narrative structure from the written word to visual moving language.

Objectives: Students shall leave this course with a practical and theoretical understanding of the process of turning literature into films. We will aim to inspire our creativity and move towards new ways of seeing and interpreting film. Students will gain practical knowledge related to the film making industry and will also be pushed to discover their own voice in relation to the materials presented during the intensive seminar.

Required Reading:

Levi, Primo. The Drowned and the Saved. Paperback: 208 pages, Vintage, ISBN: 067972186X. Buy it at Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.de, Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.fr.

Mann, Thomas. Confessions of Felix Krull, Confidence Man : The Early Years. Paperback: 400 pages, Vintage,ISBN: 0679739041. Buy it at Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.de, Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.fr.

Required Films:

Schlöndorff, Volker. The Handmaid's Tale. Bioskop Film. 1990. Starring: Natasha Richardson, Faye Dunaway, Aidan Quinn, Elizabeth McGovern, Victoria Tennant, Robert Duvall, Blanche Baker, Traci Lind, Zoey Wilson, Kathryn Doby. 108 min, DVD, ASIN: B00005PJ6P. Buy it at Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.de, Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.fr.

Schlöndorff, Volker. Death of a Salesman. Bioskop Film. 1985. TV, Starring: Dustin Hoffman, Kate Reid, John Malkovich, Stephen Lang, Charles Durning, Louis Zorich, David S. Chandler, Jon Polito, Kathy Rossetter, etc. 130 min, DVD, ASIN: B00007ELDP. Buy it at Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.de, Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.fr.

Schlöndorff, Volker. Die Blechtrommel. (The Tin Drum). Argos Films. 1979. Starring: Mario Adorf, Angela Winkler, David Bennent, Katharina Thalbach, Daniel Olbrychski, Tina Engel, Berta Drews, etc. 142 min, DVD, ASIN: B0001VO38S. Buy it at Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.de, Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.fr.

Recommended Readings:

Schlöndorff, Volker and Anthony Kaufman (Interviewer). "Interview." in: Indie Wire. January 31, 2001. (English).

Schlöndorff, Volker and Prairie Miller (Interviewer). "An interview with German filmmaker Volker Schlöndorff." in: World Socialist Website. February 2001. (English).

Schlöndorff, Volker and Peter Craven (Interviewer). "Volker Schlöndorff, Oscar Winning Film Director." in: DW World. April 26, 2009. (English).