1. Film History

In the Global COE, we continue the Studies of Film Archives that is the one of the results of the 21st Century COE and that helped Film Studies at Waseda University attain world level. In particular, we aim at a formulation of the basic grounds to develop research on silent films. Along with the archive constructions of the films of D.W. Griffith in his Biograph era and of French Films of that era, we conduct area studeis on silent films in imperial Russia and in China, and collect and analyze materials on documents about Japanese films in the same era. Moreover, by collecting videos and copies of European and Asian silent films, we exchange information with researchers around the world in cooperation with film archives overseas. Furthermore, our results are used to provide a platform for researchers in the form of workshops.

2. Film Theory

In order to enhance film theory beyond the remarkable developments of the 1960s and the 80s, we deal with mainly "Meta-Film (Film for Film)", one of the most important themes in the field of film theory today. As there are very few researchers dealing with film theory, Japan has not developed a foundation for research, despite its importance. Accordingly, one urgent task in the first year is to construct a domestic research basis so that we can share our interests. Specifically, we intend to set up a research infrastructure for researchers in Japan who are interested in Meta-Film, by providing basic equipment, literary documents, and visual materials. Another plan is to publish our results, and hold international symposiums on these themes.