what auteur traits and themes are you using. There are so many for Allen
What made you decide on Woody Allen and auteur theory?
the problem here might be too much info.
He has done 40 films that reuse themes and ideas (and every now and then jokes) .
He is truly one of my favorites and I have written about him myself in philosophy courses but this sounds like a lot to handle, of course dissertations are a lot to handle too (mine was 90+ pages)
Den is right, you should definitely focus on selected films by Allen, and maybe take a specific look at his artistic control as a writer, director and actor.
An interesting topic I’ve touched on in a few essays was how he almost does “Cover Movies” like a cover song. Many of his films are directly inspired by films or novels of other artists.
as far as a title …
Would help to see the topics/themes you are touching on.
Indeed, “Stardust Memories” as a Fellini cover and “Interiors” as a Bergman cover. It would be interesting to shine a light on which elements Allen takes from the mentioned directors, and which can be regarded as his own.
not to mention deconstucting harry a wild strawberries cover
love and death as bergman/dostoevsky
hannah and her sisters as altman
husbands and wives as bergman
sleeper as chaplin/marx
etc etc etc
lots of juicy room for school work :)
is this a doctoral diss or undergrad?
Do you have a specific aspect of Allen’s style that you’re interested in exploring, Tom? Or are you interested in particular films that you can explore for elements of personal style? The problem with talking about the films as specifically Bergmanesque, Felliniesque, etc. is that focusing on borrowed stylistic elements tends to make it more difficult to argue for Allen’s style as uniquely personal (if that is what you’re intending to do).
Thanks for the help so far. This is an undergrad dissertation.
Actually, Matt, it’s supposed to serve as an investigation — so as much as Allen does have auteur written all over him, I do need that contrasting opinion to keep it more objective than subjective. For example, his Bergman and Fellini influences argue that he is influenced by other auteurs e.t.c.
I’ll be looking at a number of his select films as case studies and the history of auteur. I’m just trying to name and title my dissertation — when I do so, I believe the “focus” will fall into place and I can form a more cohesive structure.
something about Magic, Romance or Jazz Music
since those are often returned to themes
Tom Barnard
I’ve decided to write my dissertation on Woody Allen and auteur theory. I just can’t seem to find a logical title to link these huge topics together. Any ideas, gang?