Congratulations to Cinema Studies student Trace Cabot for being selected to present his paper at the SCMS Undergraduate Conference April 12-13, 2013

The conference features undergraduates from across North America who present their scholarly work on cinema and media.

Trace is the first recipient of a Cinema Studies scholarship to attend the conference.  The scholarship is funded by a generous donation from James Ivory.

Trace Cabot

“While the importance of film within North Korea cannot be over-stated, their most important domestic productions languish in obscurity outside of the isolated country. The Flower Girl, a 1972 adaptation of a revolutionary opera allegedly written by Kim Il-sung himself, is an iconic work of this scarcely-known national cinema, its titular character even appearing on one of their most commonly-used bills of currency. My paper approaches The Flower Girl as a key for understanding the larger political ideology of North Korea as it is popularly communicated to its people, and ultimately discovers that the various claims made by American pundits that the ‘hermit kingdom’ is governed according to orthodox Stalinist principles, or any other form of communism, couldn’t be further from the truth. While the film pays occasional lip-service to the anti-imperialist rhetoric of Leninism, its aesthetic sensibilities and narrative rely upon the ethnic nationalism and pastoralism characteristic of fascist art. Expanding and challenging the conclusions of B.R. Myer’s research on the influence of Imperial Japanese propaganda on the formulation of the North Korean national identity, my paper attempts to offer an alternative analysis of what may be the world’s most commonly misunderstood country. At a moment when such a misunderstanding can have a truly devastating effect globally, the need to reassess the motivation behind North Korea’s military posturing becomes all the more vital.”  

Trace Cabot
Majors:  Cinema Studies and English
Minor:  Comics Studies
Graduation Date:  Spring 2013

Spend a minute with Trace

Why did you choose Cinema Studies?

“The Cinema Studies department offers some of the most interesting and academically adventurous courses at the University of Oregon, taught by scholars who are passionate about both their research and teaching undergraduates. It brings together talented professors from a variety of other departments to offer students the opportunity to take courses focusing on everything from classical Hollywood to the Japanese avant-garde. As someone interested in pursuing a career in academia focused on film, the Cinema Studies program here at the University of Oregon was a great entry-point into the field.”  

How has the curriculum helped to prepare you for a career in cinema?

“The wide-range of topics explored by courses included in the Cinema Studies major offered me the opportunity to specifically explore my research interests in East Asian (especially South Korean) cinema, and students who are eager to explore a specific topic will find ample opportunities to do so within the flexible framework of the degree. The professors working within the department are truly great at their jobs, and are eager to assist and support students in pursuing their goals after graduation.”  

What advice would you give students considering a major in Cinema Studies?

“I would offer the same advice that I would a student considering any other major: do something you’re passionate about. The Cinema Studies department offers extraordinary opportunities to explore the field, including courses on both production and criticism, and allows for more specific interests to be pursued from there. A love for the material is paramount to taking full advantage of these opportunities, and is, in my eyes, an essential component for anyone interested in the major.”  

What are your three favorite films?

“For the sake of saving me from the agony of having to choose only three films as my favorites, here are my top-three favorite underappreciated films by well-known directors:”

  • Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance

  • Duck, You Sucker!

  • Barton Fink

For more information about the Cinema Studies major:

Cinema Studies Academic Advisor

Shauna Riedel-Bash
Email:  shaunar@uoregon.edu
Phone: 541-346-8613
Office:  261 Knight Library

Cinema Studies Office

263 Knight Library
1299 University of Oregon
Eugene, OR  97403-1299
Phone:  541-346-8104
Email:  cinema@uoregon.edu

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Spotlights