“Salaam Bombay!” and “The Headless Woman” Each film calls our attention to the way we observe the world, and in this way belongs to the tradition of cinematic realism.

This paper will be covering two films.

“Salaam Bombay!” and “The Headless Woman”

Each film calls our attention to the way we observe the world, and in this way belongs to the tradition of cinematic realism. However, the specific means by which each film invites us to see the world differs starkly in each instance. In some cases, we are invited to look “behind the scenes,” in other instances we are asked to occupy the position of the surveillance camera or the judge. Sometimes we are made aware of other figures at the margin of the story (tourists, domestic laborers, children, or even ghosts). In some cases, a film includes sequences which stand out stylistically in sharp contrast to other the rest of the film’s realist style, as if to remind us that realism is also a carefully constructed way of seeing (and not simply a transparent window on the world). Taking these observations into consideration, choose two films and write a short essay that addresses the following questions:

Describe a specific scene where each film makes use of (or otherwise references) the codes of realism. Be sure to explain clearly what those code or conventions are and how the film employs them in the two sequences you have chosen to describe.
Be sure to situate each scene you describe within the larger story and use formal film terms (shot, take, etc.) in your visual analysis.
What important historical or cultural context or background knowledge (described in the lectures, or researched further by you) would it be important for a viewer to understand in order to grasp the meaning of each scene?
What does the use of realist conventions enable you to notice in each case? How, in other words, does each film use cinematic form (framing, editing, lighting, mise-en-scene, etc.) to communicate narrative meaning? NOTE: This is the most important part of your essay. Take your time here and think carefully about what you are observing. You’ll need to rewatch each scene a few times to do this well.
Set up a comparison between the two scenes you have described. What strikes you as meaningful or interesting about the differences you have noted? Here, you might consider the different strategies, positions, or marginal perspectives/figures described in the prompt as they relate to the films you have selected to write about. Or alternately, you might consider what each film does to contrast moments of realism with other styles of filmmaking and the meaning this contrast produces.
Suggestion for structuring your essay in three parts:

Film A
Describe scene [explaining how it relates to realism as a film style]
Situate film in relationship to overall narrative
Identify relevant historical/social/cultural background
What did you notice? How does the form of the film convey the meaning of the story in this scene?
Film B
Describe scene [explaining how it relates to realism as a film style]
Situate film in relationship to overall narrative
Identify relevant historical/social/cultural background
What did you notice? How does the form of the film convey the meaning of the story in this scene?
Compare A & B.
(You don’t have to follow this structure, but it might make it easier to make sure you’ve answered each part of the prompt.)