Critical Film Review

Please turn in a hard copy and submit the review to VeriCite on Canvas.
Assignment Description
Write a thoughtful review of one of the three films chosen from the list below. When applying a critical lens, what
aspects of development does this film explore in an effective way? Are there problems with the film when taking into
account issues explored in this course? Consider the film’s agenda and bias—is it problematic or does it prevent the
filmmakers from achieving their goals? You do not have space to summarize the film so avoid doing so (assume the
reader, i.e., me, has seen the film).
You may conduct some background research on the film and context, but this is NOT a requirement. You are, however,
required to draw on materials from this course. Look over the entire syllabus in considering what readings will best
inform your analysis.
Formatting
The review should be approximately 1000 words and 1.5 or double-spaced.
Citing Works
Please cite all sources (be they articles, web sites, books, or lecture notes) both in the text and on a references cited
page. You may use the style format of your discipline or the format to which you are accustomed.
FILM OPTIONS
(1) Living on One Dollar (available on Kanopy via CSU library website [lib.colostate.edu] and on Netflix streaming.)
Living on One Dollar follows the journey of four friends as they set out to live on just $1 a day for two months in rural
Guatemala. They battle hunger, parasites, and extreme financial stress as they attempt to survive life on the edge. An
unimaginable reality for most young Americans, the challenges they face are real and plague over 1.1 billion people
around the world. While the friends quickly learn there are no easy answers, the generosity and strength of Rosa, a 20
year old woman, and Chino, a 12 year old boy, give them resilient hope that there are effective ways to make a
difference.
(2) Living without Water (available on Kanopy via CSU library website [lib.colostate.edu]).
What’s it like to live without running water? In Peru’s sprawling capital, Lima, this is the everyday reality for 1.5 million
children and adults, forced to pay up to a week’s salary for just one day’s water. And the problem isn’t confined to the
capital, across the country, the shortage of water is putting lives in danger and provoking conflict, as it displaces
communities and threatens their agricultural livelihoods.
(3) The Price of Aid (available through videoplay.colostate.edu)
Every day the U.S. donates millions of tons of food to famine victims and other starving people in the world’s poorest
countries. This provocative documentary, through an in-depth case study of a recent famine crisis in Zambia, shows how
these aid programs may address an immediate crisis but at the same time can create long-term problems for the
recipient nation.IE/ANTH 479
Critical Film Review
Spring 2018
Grading Criteria
• Depth of review
Discussion moves beyond a summary of the film and superficial critique. Analysis of the film is thoughtful and
scholarly. Critical ideas are explained, developed, and supported with evidence or examples. The review is also
concise and thorough.
• Incorporation of course material
Readings, lectures and course discussions are used to support your case.
• Presentation and writing
Organization, clarity of writing, grammar, spelling, citing of references, punctuation, and so on will all be taken into
account.