This is a course in contemporary international film cultures and national cinemas. We will examine the idea of world cinema and set up a model of how it can be explored by studying contemporary film in various countries. We will explore ways in which cinemas from around the globe have attempted to come to terms with Hollywood, and look at forces which lead many filmmakers to define themselves in opposition to Hollywood norms.  We will also consider an equally powerful tendency in such films to explore the language of cinema independent of Hollywood influences, and we will keep this in mind as we see films which are distinctive in their style and their creativity. Finally, we will engage with the questions of which films/cinemas get labeled as “world cinema,” what determines entry into the sphere of world cinema, and examine the importance of film festivals in creating world cinema.