Cinema can be defined as a medium of seduction. Narrative cinema confronts us with situations, decisions and narratives that might appear disturbing in real life. Yet we are willingly accept this cinematic seduction and enjoy where it might lead us.
In the heart of this cinematic seduction lies the mythic narrative. Mythology is an endless field of inspiration for screen writers to find archetypical and highly effective plotlines, quest models and character prototypes. Especially within Hollywood cinema this mythical substructure is regularly used to huge effect. At the same time mythology reflects society and can be used as a pattern to analyze cinematic narratives.
The master class ‘Mythic Seduction’ will define the terms mythology and seduction within the context screen writing and comment on mythology based theories by Joseph Campbell, Roland Barthes and others. Finally the affirmative and the critical mytho-poetical approach will be discussed along a choice of film examples.
Professor film studies
DEKRA Hochschule Berlin