Modern Times

This is Charles Chaplin's full movie Modern Times, a very good film to understand the changes in industrial work as a consequence of mechanization:

The Girl with the Pearl Earring

This short video explains why this Vermeer's painting is considered to be a masterpiece:

Here you have the trailer of the 2003 film inspired on the painting, where you can learn how Vermeer painted and the typical life in the city of Delft in the 17th century. You will see many of the paintings we have seen in class today:

 

Some videos about absolutism, Louis XIV and Versailles Palace

- Here you have a short overview on absolutism, focused on Louis XIV's example. At the end there are some other absolute monarchs, like Frederick II the Great of Prussia, Peter I of Russia and some late absolute monarch, like Emperor Franz Ferdinand II of Austria and tsar Nicholas II of Russia. 

   

 - This is another short video that explains the origins and use of the divine right of kings, which means that kings' power came from God and made them untouchable:

 

- And this is a BBC documentary about Louis XIV and his use of the Royal Palace of Versailles. This period of France's history is really well explained: 

- Finally you can have a look on Versailles dance parties with two scenes of the film Le roi danse and another one from the film Vatel: : 

Novecento

This is a very good film to understand the context in which Fascism appeared in Italy. The name of the film in English is 1900 (Twentieth Century). It was released in 1976 and the main roles were performed by Gerard Depardieu, Robert de Niro and Burt Lancaster.

PART ONE

 PART TWO

And here you have the link to the full version in Spanish, just in case you are interested in watching it: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDYH2AXW3VU

The Agony and the Ecstasy

Source: http://www.filmaffinity.com/es/film610438.html

The Agony and the Ecstasy (1965) is a very good film that tells the story of how Michelangelo painted the Sistine Chapel's ceiling. It was based on a bestseller written by Irving Stone and it's focused ion the relations between Pope Julius II, the commissioner of the work, and Michelangelo Buonarroti, the artist. This is a good film to understand the creation of a magnificent work of art, the problems Michelangelo went through with this project, the discussions with the Pope and the criticism of some cardinals to Michelangelo's paintings. The Agony and the Ecstasy was directed by Carol Reed and the actors in the leading roles were Charlton Heston as Michelangelo and Rex Harrison as Pope Julius II. 

Source: http://www.allposters.com/-sp/The-Agony-And-The-Ecstasy-Charlton-Heston-Rex-Harrison-1965-Posters_i9340796_.htm

Here you have the trailer of the film: 

The Dumbfounded King

As I have told you today, there is a Spanish film called El rey pasmado (The Dumbfounded King), set during Philip IV's reign. The film is based on the novel Crónica del rey pasmado, written by Gonzalo Torrente Ballester, and it's a satirical chronicle of religious and moral intolerance and hypocrisy in the court of the Hispanic Monarchy. The main theme of the film is King Phikip IV's desire for watching the queen's naked body, after having seen a naked prostitute. This desire creates a lot of debate bertween the members of the Church, who don't agree in deciding whether this is a sin or not. The powerful Count-Duke of Olivares also appears with  personal problems that he tries to solve following the Church's advice. 

Historical setting is one of the most outstanding features of this film. The Dumbfounded King was filmed in the Palace of the Marquis of Santa Cruz in El Viso del Marqués (Ciudad Real) and the Monastery of Uclés in Cuenca. And the ressemblance of some actors with the historical figures they performed is astonishing. Look at these pictures: 

Gabino Diego as Philip IV

              Sources: http://blogdeheraldica.blogspot.com.es/2009/12/atribucion-de-armas-iii.html

http://www.aieteariane.com/peli.php?id=16

Javier Gurruchaga as the Count-Duke of Olivares: 

Sources: http://www.artelista.com/ypobra.php?o=10008

http://www.diariodecine.es/sscineclasico308.html

And this is one of the key images of the film, when the king watches the naked body of a prostitute called Marfisa: 

 Source: http://www.diariodecine.es/sscineclasico308.html

Can you guess what famous painting did the director of the film use as inspiration for this scene? If you watch the poster of the film, you will know. 

Here you have more information about the film: 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dumbfounded_King

Prohibition and the consolidation of the mafia in the USA

Sources:

 http://mbwda.com/prohibition

http://www.broadsheet.ie/tag/prohibition/

The Prohibition era was a period in which producing, transporting and selling alcoholic beverages was forbidden in the USA. This period extended from January 1920 to December 1933. Two amendments to the Constitution of the USA were necessary to approve prohibition first (18th Amendment) and  to repeal it later (21st Amendment). The alcohol prohibition was related to the campaigns launched by temperance leagues across the USA. These associations were related with religious groups in many cases and their main argument was that alcoholic drinks contributed to the depravation of the consumers and were linked to prostitution, criminality and other morale sins. Those who supported prohibition were called "dries" and were linked to pietistic Protestant groups, such as Methodists, Baptists, Presbyterians, Disciples of Christ, Congregationalists, Quakers and Scandinavian Lutherans. Those who opposed prohibition were the "wets", identified with Roman Catholics and liturgical Protestants (Episcopalians and German Lutherans). These two opposed factions also represented the division of the country into two different areas: the rural and the urban places. And it also showed different opinions about the limits of the power of the government. The question was: can the government legislate on morale matters? Anyway, the Prohibition came into force when 36 of the 48 states of the Union  (75% of the states) ratified the 18th Amendment in January 1920. 

Although consuming alcohol was officially forbidden, people were not persecuted for consuming or possessing alcohol. The population easiliy found ways of producing and consuming alcohol: fermenting grape juice or making their own drinks with home stills they could easiliy buy in shops. In fact, alcohol consumption increased a lot during the Prohibition. People also took advantage of some exceptions to the law. For example, pharmacists could sell whiskey by prescription, because it was recommended to treat some illnesses. Pharmacies became the perfect cover for bootleggers. The number of pharmacies tripled in New Yourk City during Prohibition. Another exception to the law was wine consumption for religious purposes. Churches and synagogues could buy wine to use it in ceremonies. This led to the growth of the number of people who pretended to be rabbis or priests to get wine for their "congregation". 

Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/29/books/review/jews-and-booze-becoming-american-in-the-age-of-prohibition-by-marni-davis-book-review.html?_r=0

The Prohibition had an important impact in the industries related with alcohol. Many people lost their jobs. There was also a decline in amusement and entertainment businesses (reataurants, saloons, theaters...). The worst effect of Prohibition was the development of the mafia. Gangsters found a new source of incomes with production and contraband of alcoholic beverages. Big mafia gangsters like Al Capone (also known as Scarface), Meyer Lansky, Bugsy Siegel and Lucky Luciano started becoming legend during Prohibition. The HBO  TV series Boardwalk Empire tells the story of the origins of the mafia in Atlantic City during the Prohibition years. 

Link to Boardwalk Empire´s website:

http://www.hbo.com/boardwalk-empire/index.html

If you want to learn more about Prohibition, visit this PBS link: 

http://www.pbs.org/kenburns/prohibition/

You probably heard about the Prohibition for the first time in your life on The Simpsons.  Here you have the episode called Homer versus the 18th Amendment: 

http://en.simpsons-live.net/season-8/episode-18_Homer_vs_the_18th_Amendment/smotri

And these are some good films about Prohibition and the rise of the mafia: 

THE PUBLIC ENEMY

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Public_Enemy

Based on the book Beer and Blood, this 1931 film tells the story of a small criminal who joins a gang during the Prohibition and works as bootlegger until things become complicated. This was the first film with James Cagney in a leading role. 

SOME LIKE IT HOT

Source: http://skyethelimit.wordpress.com/page/2/

This comedy is one of my favourite films. It tells the story of two musicians (Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis), members of a jazz band, who witness the Saint Valentine's Day Massacre in Chicago, the killing of seven gangsters during the war between Al Capone's gang and Bugs Moran's gang. The musicians have to flee from Chicago and they decide to dress as women and join a women's band. The band is going to Florida and the musicians think that it would be the perfect cover for them.One of the girls of the band (Marilyn Monroe) and a millionaire interfere their plans and everything becomes more complicated. The name of this film in Spanish is Con faldas y a lo loco. 

THE UNTOUCHABLES

This 1987 film tells the story of Al Capone's persecution by a group of FBI agents headed by Eliot Ness, the Untouchables. Capone was finally caught and sentenced to 11 years prison by tax evasion. Eliot Ness was performed by Kevin Costner and Robert de Niro performed Capone's role. 

This film includes a very famous scene at Chicago Union Station, inspired on Sergei Eisenstein's masterpiece Battleship Potemkin. 

http://www.denofgeek.com/movies/18343/iconic-movie-scene-the-untouchables%E2%80%99-union-station-shoot-out

Some films about World War 1

As you need to improve your film culture, here you have some very good films about World War 1. I'm including a short explanation of the plot in order to pique your curiosity ;)

ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT (1930)

This is an American film that tells the story of German soldiers on the Western front and how their opinion about war transforms from patriotism to disillusionment. The film was forbidden in several countries due to its anti-war content. 

Source: http://www.likecinema.net/movie/11704/all-quiet-on-the-western-front/

LA GRANDE ILLUSION (1937)

This is a French film that tells the story of two French war prisoners who try to escape from several Prisoners of War camps. During their confinement, they meet some Germans and receive news from the Battle of Verdun. This film was forbidden by the Nazis and also in France during World War 2.

Source: http://www.criterion.com/films/351-grand-illusion

THE AFRICAN QUEEN (1951)

This film happens in Eastern Africa and tells the story of a Canadian boat captain and a missionary woman who try to make war against the Germans on their own and attack a German warship. This film is a comedy with Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn in the leading roles. 

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:The-african-queen-1-.jpeg

PATHS OF GLORY (1957)

This film was directed by Stanley Kubrick and is one of the best anti-war films in history. It tells the story of the soldiers' mutinies in the Western Front and the officers' cowardice and ambition. This film was forbidden in Spain during Franco's dictatorship and wasn't shown in cinemas until 1986. 

Source: http://cinephilearchive.tumblr.com/post/37410427979

LAWRENCE OF ARABIA (1962)

This film tells the story of T. H. Lawrence, a British officer who had an important role in the allied victory against the Ottoman Turks. He convinced the Arab tribes to revolt against the Ottoman Turks, but his promises of self-determination were not included in the peace plans of the winners. 

Source: http://themoviesdb.blogspot.com.es/2009/11/posters-lawrence-of-arabia-1962.html

JOHNNY GOT HIS GUN (1971)

This film tells about the dramatic consequences of the war. It was written and filmed by Dalton Trumbo, who was very shocked when he met a soldier disfigured during WW1. The hero of the film is a quadruple amputee, who lost his eyes, ears, mouth and nose on the front, buy is still able to think. He remembers his life  and thinks about what he can expect in his situation. 

Source: http://filmotecatemasdecine.wordpress.com/category/johnny-got-his-gun/

GALLIPOLI (1981) 

This film tells the experience of the Australian soldiers in the battle of Gallipoli, one of the biggest disasters of the British army during WW1. 

Source: http://www.gallipoliexperience.com/en/gallipoli_movie.html

LIFE AND NOTHING BUT (1989)

This French film by Bertrand Tavernier tells the story of a French officer in charge of identifying unknown dead soldiers at the end of the war. 

Source: http://www.moviepostershop.com/life-and-nothing-but-movie-poster-1989

CAPTAIN CONAN (1996)

This one is another French film by Bertrand Tavernier about what war makes with men. Captain Conan is a French officer used to kill who has to adapt to the end of the war when his troops are in Romania. 

Source: http://www.imdb.com/media/rm1562156032/tt0115822

A VERY LONG ENGAGEMENT (2004)

This film tells about five French soldiers accused of desertion from the trenches of the Somme. One of the soldiers' girlfriend doesn't believe the official version of their disappearance and tries to find him. The recreation of the trenches and the war front is extraordinary. 

Source: http://www.allposters.co.uk/-sp/A-Very-Long-Engagement-Posters_i6130258_.htm

I liked all these films. Watch them if you have the chance. Some of them are frequently broadcasted on the TV. 

Khartoum, an example of colonialism in Africa

I´ve found the film we´ve talked about on Youtube, just in case anyone wants to have a look on it. It's about an episode of the British domination of Sudan: the Sudanese Arabs, headed by Muhammmad Ahmad, know as the Mahdi, revolted againts the British rule and started fighting for their independence. The British government sent an army commanded by General Charles Gordon to defend the city of Khartoum. The film shows the Western version of the story: Gordon is represented as a hero and the Mahdi and his supporters are depicted as zealots. 

Here you have a short review of the film: 

http://www.britishempire.co.uk/media/war/khartoum.htm

Paris is well worth a Mass

Henry IV of France

Source: http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/9035 

Yesterday we studied that religious conflicts intermingled with political affairs very frequently during the 16th and 17th centuries. That happened in the German Empire, where many German princes supported Martin Luther´s ideas as a way of facing the power of the Emperor, Charles V. The same happened with the wars of religion in France, which took place in the second half of the 16th century.  The quote Paris is well worth a Mass, pronounced by Henry IV of France in 1593, can be another example of this. 

There were eight wars of religion in France between 1562 and 1598. This fact reflects the extension of religious intolerance in those changing times. The doctrine spread by John Calvin had found a certain support in France, where a community of Huguenots (the name Calvinists received in France) was created. The Huguenots were initially tolerated, but later persecuted. The big noble families of the French kingdom aligned in different sides (Huguenots and Catholics) and violent confrontments broke out. 

Henry III of Navarre was the king of Navarre, son of Antoine of Bourbon, a respected Huguenot and heir to France´s throne. In the religion wars he fought with the Protestants against the Catholics, especially after Saint Bartholomew´s Day Massacre: on the 24th August 1572 several thousands of Huguenots who had come to Paris to Henry III´s wedding, were killed by Catholics. The order was given  by Catherine of Medicis, King Charles IX´s mother. Henry III, who was in the line of succession to the French throne, escaped the massacre under the promise of converting to Catholicism. But some years later he abjured and rejoined the Huguenots, who continued to fight against the Catholics. In 1584, when the French king died without successors, Henry III became the legitimate heir to the throne. A new war started: the War of the Three Henries: Henry III of Navarre, Henry of Guise, a Catholic nobleman supported by Philip II and Henry III of France, supported by the Catholic League. Political interests mixed with religion again: the Catholic League rejected Philip II´s intervention in France and when their leader King Henry III died without children, they looked for an agreement and accepted Henry III of Navarre, the Huguenot, as the new king of France if he converted to Catholicism. And so did he in 1593. This is the origin of his statement Paris is well worth a Mass. The quote means that becoming the king of France was worth the sacrifice of changing religion. Henry III of Navarre was crowned king of France in 1594 and he reigned as Henry IV. He was the first king of the Bourbon dynasty in France. 

The experience of religious intolerance and so many religion wars made King Henry IV aware of the importance of respecting the others´ beliefs. In 1598 he enacted the Edict of Nantes, which meant religious tolerance in France and granted the Huguenots equality of rights with the Catholics. This was an important step in the path to secularization, because it established the principle of religious freedom in France and meant the end of religion wars in this country.

The quote Paris is well worth a Mass is commonly used to talk about sacrifices which are worth doing, because the expected compensation is worthwhile. 

There is a 1994 French film called La reine Margot (Queen Margot), which tells the story of the religion wars in France, focusing on Margot, Henry III of Navarre´s wife. Here you have the teaser. You will discover Miguel Bosé, the singer, who plays the role of Henry of Guise.

Louis XIV´s court portrayed on a film

Last week we talked about Absolute Monarchies and the Sun King. Louis XIV tried to keep the nobles apart from the government and he organized splendorous parties and banquets in order to entertain them. There is a 2000 film called Vatel, which depicts Louis XIV¨s court and all the entertainments the king prepared for his guests. The film tells the story of François Vatel, a famous cook who invented Chantilly cream. The parties organized by the king put so much stress on him that he decided to committ suicide when a seafood delivery arrived later than expected. On the following videos you can have an idea of Louis XIV´s court.

The Twelve Interesting Amendments

Here you have a funny video I always remember when we study the Constitution of the USA and its amendments. It´s a piece of a film called Born yesterday. It tells the story of a businessman (John Goodman) who wants to make business in Washington and has an ex-showgirl girlfriend (Melanie Griffith). As he needs to make contacts with very rich and polite people, he hires a journalist (Don Johnson) to teach his girlfriend general culture  and how to behave in social gatherings and business dinners. The scene of the video shows Billie, the girl, during a business dinner teaching all these important people some of the amendments to the USA Constitution. She has memorized them changing the lyrics to the song On the first day of Christmas. As you know from your recent experience, this is a very useful and funny way of learning something. The video is subtitled in English, so you can sing, if you want ;)

Some films about industrial reconversion / deindustrialization

Here you have the trailers of some good films that reflect the hard reality of deindustrialization in the United Kingdom and Spain: 

THE FULL MONTY

This film shows the story of a group of unemployed who lost their job in a steel factory of Sheffield, in the north of England. They look for different options, trying to survive. One of them has the idea of preparing a stript tease and he tries to convince his mates to join him. 

BRASSED OFF

This film tells the story of a colliery brass band that will disappear after the closure of the coal mine where its members have been working for many years. The miners prepare their participation in a music band contest at the same time they have to face the reality of unemployment, depression and the loss of their normal life. The film was inspired in the real story of the struggle of the Grimethorpe miners against the closure of their mine. 

BILLY ELLIOT

The background of the story of this dancing boy is also reconversion: the 1984-1985 miners´ strike in the United Kingdom. Margaret Thatcher´s government defeated the miners, many mines were closed and the unions lost the main part of their power. 

LOS LUNES AL SOL

This Spanish film tells the story of a group of unemployed who were fired during the shipyard reconversion of the 80's and 90´s in Spain. The film shows the different ways of facing unemployment. 

A famous assembly line

This is a famous scene of Modern Times, a 1936 Charles Chaplin comedy film. The character Chaplin plays, a tramp, works on an assembly line and has problems to follow the rhythm of the machines. On this film Chaplin wanted to criticize the dehumanizing effects of machines in the Industrial Age and he also reflected the hard conditions many unemployed people had to face during the Great Depression era. 

I strongly recommend you the whole film. This was the first time the audience could listen Charles Chaplin´s voice. 

More information about the film: 

http://www.filmsite.org/mode.html