FILM STUDIES
Step into the world of film - where stories travel across decades and continents. You'll go from the dazzling streets of 1950s San Francisco in Vertigo to the sharp social contrasts of modern-day South Korea in Parasite.
Over your two years on this course, you’ll explore 11 unforgettable films spanning more than a century of cinema—from silent era classics to modern masterpieces.
You won’t just watch films, you’ll learn how they work: how directors tell stories, create meaning, and leave a lasting impact on audiences.
And it’s not all theory—you’ll also bring your own ideas to life, creating either a short film or a detailed screenplay and storyboard as part of the practical side of the course.
At Holy Cross, Film Studies is your chance to see the world through the lens of cinema, develop real creative skills, and gain a deeper understanding of the art of filmmaking.
fILMS SET FOR STUDY 2026
clicking on any film will open up revision materials
Sunrise follows a man torn between a destructive affair and his devoted wife, exploring love, temptation, and redemption through groundbreaking silent-era visuals.
Vertigo follows a former detective drawn into a web of obsession, deception, and desire as he investigates a mysterious woman in 1950s San Francisco.
Daisies is a surreal Czech New Wave film where two rebellious young women embark on a series of chaotic pranks, challenging social norms and traditional filmmaking conventions.
Bonnie and Clyde follows a young outlaw couple on a violent crime spree during the Great Depression, blending glamour, rebellion, and brutal realism in a way that redefined Hollywood cinema.
Saut Ma Ville is a darkly satirical short, studied alongside Daisies, where a young woman playfully destroys her domestic space to critique post-war consumer culture and feminine roles.
This Is England follows a young boy who becomes involved with a group of skinheads in 1980s England, exploring identity, belonging, and the social tensions of the era.
Amy is a documentary that chronicles the rise and tragic fall of singer Amy Winehouse, exploring fame, media scrutiny, and the personal struggles behind her music.
Get Out is a psychological horror film in which a man uncovers disturbing secrets while visiting his partner’s family. Jordan Peele's psychological horror won the Oscar for best original screenplay.
Joker tells the story of a struggling comedian’s descent into chaos and violence.
Portrait... is a period drama that follows a forbidden romance between an artist and her subject in 18th century France
Parasite is a darkly comic thriller that follows a struggling family as they infiltrate a wealthy household.
Fish Tank follows Mia, a socially isolated teenager and her relationship with her mother's new boyfriend.