Visual Analysis Essay
ENC1102 Essay #3 – Film Analysis Write a thesis-driven interpretation/analysis of one of the following films. Most films
are available via the MDC streaming services Kanopy and Swank, which can be accessed
at http://mdc.edu/learning-resources/libraries/.
Kanopy
Bicycle Thieves (1948)
Rashomon (1951)
The Seventh Seal (1957)
Breathless (1961)
Aguirre, Wrath of God (1972)
Amarcord (1974)
Wings of Desire (1988)
Oldboy (2003)
Swank
Rear Window (1954)
12 Angry Men (1957)
Dr. Strangelove (1964)
Network (1976)
Inception (2010)
Moonlight (2017)
Other:
The Graduate (1967) - Netflix
Pan’s Labyrinth (2006) - Netflix
Her (2013) - Netflix
The primary goal of this analysis is to demonstrate how elements of cinema, such as
cinematography, lighting, editing, sound design, dialogue, performance, directing, or set
and costume design, create mood (an emotional response from the viewer) and meaning
(an intellectual response from the viewer).
In the body of the paper, you should support your argument with descriptions and
specific examples from the film. You may also quote dialogue directly.
This essay should include research about selected film. Cite 3 sources total; at least 2 must be scholarly, or from the library databases, and 1 may be popular, or from a google
search.
Provide MLA in-text citations and a Works Cited page. Give your essay a creative title,
and use MLA format throughout. This essay should be 4 pages long (1000 words). Due Dates Rough Draft – Monday, June 17th (bring digital copy for review in computer lab)
Final Draft – Friday, June 21st (digital submission via Blackboard, not a hard copy)