Detailed Notes from Critique and Analysis of Environmental Apocalypse in Film

Critiques from Greg Girard

• Vision Beginnings: Initial PDF provided at the start of the semester, available on Brightspace.
• Animals Chapter: Discusses the dualities in the relationship between humans and nonhumans, underpinning themes in war films.

Key Themes in Environmental Apocalypse

• Apocalypse in Film: The session focuses on Alfred Hitchcock's "The Birds," exploring its environmental theme as part of the last unit on environmental apocalypse.
• Scholarly Articles: Emphasis on readings, particularly Carter Stowles’ piece on environmental apocalypse and its representation in the context of both films.

Upcoming Assignments

• Readings: Important to finish Carter's article, along with chapter five from Corrigan's guide.
• Next Film: "Take Shelter" is to be watched for the next class, introducing another perspective on horror and environmental narrative.
• Oral Presentations: Set to begin in week 14, students to prepare a 10-12 minute presentation on one film they felt deeply connected to throughout the course.

Importance of Peer Reviews

• Extensions Offered: Understanding that students are overwhelmed, extensions are available until next Monday for peer-reviewed drafts. The class is encouraged to stay on track but communicate issues experienced with peer reviews.

Discussion on Apocalypse

• Imagination and Scale: The term 'apocalypse' evokes chaos and the large-scale psychological and physical breakdown of society during catastrophic events. Both temporal and spatial scales are critical in understanding apocalyptic scenarios in films.
• Humanity’s Role: Generally acknowledged that humanity often causes apocalyptic scenarios, whether through environmental neglect or societal structures.
• Global Perspective: Discussions around distinctive narratives concerning despair, hopelessness, and the impact on humanity's essence as reflected in various film genres, particularly horror.

Film Analysis: The Birds

• Cinematic Techniques: Alfredo Hitchcock’s distinct approach in utilizing suspense with sound, visual framing, and overarching eerie stillness foreshadows the unparalleled intelligence of nature.
• Environmental Commentary: The film makes statements on humanity’s interaction with nature, especially in scenes where man-made constructs are juxtaposed against natural elements (e.g., birds on telephone wires).
• Key Scenes: Highlights include the gathering of birds at the school and the diner scene, emphasizing a return to nature's dominance over humanity.

Apocalyptic Rhetoric in Environmental Discourse

• Apocalypticism Defined: The narrative around environmental threat is interwoven deeply with apocalyptic concepts within Western culture. This includes the anticipation of an 'event' that dramatically alters civilization.
• Dichotomies and Moral Blame: Tragic apocalypticism often shifts blame onto 'others,' casting significant populations as scapegoats for environmental issues, creating a cycle of fear and division.

The Trouble with Apocalyptic Language

• Efficacy in Advocacy: Using fear as a primary tool for environmental activism raises ethical concerns about hopelessness, creating awareness versus inducing despair.
• Complexity of Issues: It's crucial to understand that environmental issues are multifaceted; reducing them to a singular catastrophic narrative may obscure essential discussions around equity and action.

Student Engagement and Queries

• Discussion Points: Various prompts raised by students about specific scenes in "The Birds," offering insights into how cinematography, character actions, and thematic elements cultivate an apocalyptic atmosphere.
• Critical Reflection: Students encouraged to analyze how personal and societal perspectives frame their interpretation of environmental issues as depicted in film, addressing both historical contexts and contemporary issues.