----------------------------Original message---------------------------- In discussing why film studies faculty in America don't teach more non-American film, I think the real answer is: Unless there's a known book or article on the director or topic, it isn't taught. As if we don't dare to try to think of something to say for ourselves. No one avoids Kurosawa whether they've seen other Japanese films or not, because they have so many books to help them out with what to say. Same for Ray. To teach without a *source* is hard, but not impossible. It just requires a little faith in your own judgment that the film is worth seeing and a little modesty about how much you know. It's amazing how much more you know after just a little work. Wasn't that the point of graduate school? To teach us to think independently? Plus, there are other resources. There's literary, cultural, historical, political, theoretical material that can be brought to bear on a film. Teaching a multi-cultural syllabus is not hard, it just takes a little creativity. If there's nothing written on it, I say, do it anyway!! Your students will thank you for the effort. Sorry if this was a speech. I really believe in the importance of global understanding. Susan Denker Tufts University/Museum School Boston