Conference Reflection

Attending the Literature/Film Association conference at the University of Montana opened my eyes to the ways in which film is studied outside the context of Grinnell and other undergraduate film studies classes or programs. I presented a paper written for the first film class I took at Grinnell (Film Analysis, Theory, and Criticism) on the role of the masochistic aesthetic in the films Gilda and American Beauty. It was encouraging to present my work alongside film professors and realize that my introductory film class at Grinnell prepared me to write about and discuss film at such a high level. Despite a long-held interest in film and media, I had been slow to consider doing post-graduate work in these fields, but seeing my work in this context made me more confident in my abilities. The criticism and advice I received also proved invaluable and have offered me new areas to research and explore in my work on psychoanalysis which I haven’t yet addressed, such as the role of fetishization in the masochistic aesthetic. Ultimately, I feel very fortunate to have received the opportunity to showcase my work outside the Grinnell academic community, and this conference made clear to me how valuable my film classes at Grinnell have been in preparing me to be an active participant in the world of film studies.