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Accessibility statement
An image to illustrate Cinema in the Spanish-speaking world short course
Discover the immense diversity of the cinematic landscape with this 25-hour online short course. You’ll explore how cinema has influenced the cultural imagination of Spain, Argentina, and Chile and learn how cultural events have impacted their films. Don’t worry if you’re new to cinema or the Spanish language – no previous knowledge is required. Throughout the course, you’ll find quizzes in each unit to test your understanding and progress. On completion, you’ll receive a digital badge that can be shared on social media, added to email signatures, or used as a certificate.
This course is divided into 5 units which explore the cinematic landscapes of the Hispanic world, focusing on Spain, Argentina, and Chile.
Unit 1: Silent cinema and Luis Buñuel
In Unit 1, you will be introduced to early cinema, starting with the first films produced by the Lumière brothers in France. You will then progress to study several shorts from the Spanish genius of early cinema, Segundo de Chomón, which collectively take everyday circumstances and transform them into exceptional events through various film techniques. You will also delve into Luis Buñuel’s Un chien andalou (1929), a masterpiece of Surrealist cinema that still hasn't lost the power to surprise the audience. This film disrupts all sorts of assumptions about the so-called 'grammar' of film language and storytelling.
Unit 2: Introduction to Argentinian cinema
You will be introduced to Argentinean cinema, beginning with the early pioneers before moving on to the new wave of Argentinean cinema in the 1950s and 1960s. You will consider the concept of 'Third World Cinema' and explore La hora de los hornos (The Hour of the Furnaces), the seminal 1968 film manifesto by Fernando Solanas and Octavio Getino. You will reflect on the importance of the Solanas and Getino manifesto for the contemporary cinematic landscape and the history of Latin American cinema.
Unit 3: Pedro Almodóvar and La Movida
In your third unit, you will discover an extraordinary period in the history of Spanish cinema where we witnessed a transition from the type of films endorsed by the Francoist regime to the open expression of creativity after the death of Franco. Additionally, you will explore La Movida madrileña, the countercultural movement that originated in the early 1980s in the capital of Spain. This movement disrupted the Francoist legacy and influenced all art forms, including cinema. One of the most iconic figures of this period is the filmmaker Pedro Almodóvar. You’ll delve into his way of working and explore one of his most famous films: Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown (Mujeres al borde de un ataque de nervios, 1988).
Unit 4: Woman filmmakers – the new Spanish cinema
In unit 4, you will learn about the role that film festivals play in discovering and promoting new talent and how film festivals, along with national-level mentoring programs, have launched the careers of many contemporary Spanish female filmmakers. You will probe deeper into the work of Jaione Camborda by watching Arima (2019). The film explores female identity in the face of a disruptive encounter with patriarchy, presenting an oneiric 'thriller' that delves into the mystery of the female gaze.
Unit 5:  Chilean cinema
The history of Chilean cinema has been tumultuous and shaped by political upheavals. However, it is currently undergoing a resurgence. In your final unit, you will gain a brief overview of the history of Chilean cinema while learning about the lasting cinematic impacts of a crucial period in Chilean history: the military coup of 1973. Finally, you will be introduced to a contemporary film by Patricio Guzmán, Nostalgia for the Light (2010), that explores the enduring trauma of Pinochet’s dictatorship.
Please note that although this course is non-accredited, it can be used towards the module Making your learning count (YXM130) to gain OU credits.
By the end of this course, you will:
The course is taught entirely online, with the aid of a learning adviser to offer support where needed. You will have access to online forums that you are strongly encouraged to participate in, as they are an excellent source of support and information. These forums combine peer support with input from the specialist learning adviser(s). Other support is available via the StudentHome website and computing helpdesk.
The course is made up of 5 units, with each unit expected to take about 5 hours to study. In total, you’ll need around 25 hours to complete the course.
You can begin at any time during the life of the course and study at your own pace. The course will be open to you for a time period of between 6 and 18 months depending on your course registration date and you will be advised of the specific time limitations upon enrolment.
All learning materials are delivered entirely online and there is no formal tuition for this course.
Your study is self-directed and you’ll have access to a course website, which includes:
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the academic regulations, which are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.
There are no entry requirements for this course.
If you have any doubt about the suitability of the course, please contact us.
The course is delivered online and makes use of a variety of online resources. If you use specialist hardware or software to assist you in using a computer or the internet you are advised to contact us about support which can be given to meet your needs.
The OU strives to make all aspects of study accessible to everyone and this Accessibility Statement outlines what studying LG006 involves. You should use this information to inform your study preparations and any discussions with us about how we can meet your needs.
StartEngland fee
At anytime before 31/07/2026£195
We accept American Express, Mastercard, Visa and Visa Electron.
If this course is geared towards your job or developing your career, you could ask your employer to sponsor you by paying some or all of the fees. Your sponsor just needs to complete a simple form to confirm how much they will be paying and we will invoice them.
The fee information provided here is valid for short courses starting in the 2026/27 academic year. Fees typically increase annually. For further information about the University's fee policy, visit our Fee Rules.
You can start this course anytime.
You can start this course anytime.
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