I cannot stress this enough--- please take this class! Not only do you get to watch some amazing films, but the professor is also extremely knowledgeable about everything film-related. She is also accommodating and understanding and loves to chat during office hours. If I could retake this class I would. The structure for this summer was broken down into 20% participation which meant you had to attend every lecture and engage with the material. There was also 20% for homework which was turned in at the end of the session that had to do with written components for each of the weeks. Then the rest was broken down into 3 separate papers; The first was just putting together a paper where you search for sources in a database, the second was a research paper based on a prompt given, and the third was just a film analysis on a film of your choice from the syllabus. The extra credit was based on discussion posts and also attending film screenings.

I took this class to satisfy a DARS requirement and it was the best class to take during the summer. The work load revolved around watching 2 films each week, writing a paragraph detailing features you liked for each film watched, posting 6 discussion points, and writing 3 papers (2pgs each). Although this may seem like a lot, it was very manageable. Professor Carreras was always available through email and very understanding of any setback. Definitely recommend this class as it's just watching movies that are very interesting.

I was initially nervous to take this class because I am a Psychology major with no previous knowledge about film, but it turned out to be an entertaining class! The work load was very manageable considering it was a summer class and it consisted mainly of watching films and analyzing their meanings. I would recommend this class to anyone who is interested in history or film, or just enjoys branching out to other subjects for credits. Maria is very passionate about the subject she teaches and even promotes class discussions, making lectures much more engaging.

I took Professor De las Carreras’s class Film 106C over the summer and I can honestly say she is very passionate about her work. She really valued how our individual backgrounds influenced our thoughts towards the material. I had many great conversations with her although I myself am not even a film major. She was very understanding about assignments and projects, as long as you tell her your situation in advance she will certainly be reasonable. In order to do well in her class you needed to complete all the assignments and discussion posts (no more than 1 or 2 per week) along with attending lecture. We had 3 papers that were very unique, definitely made you think. The class is supposed to be a little more fast pace since it’s over the summer but I thought it was definitely doable since we only met twice a week and didn’t have much homework. Overall, definitely recommend her class even if you’re not a film major, especially if you’re just interested in film studies. She was very understanding about student’s situations and really cared about what we learned from the course.
+ all the films were so fun, I enjoyed every one we watched!

Professor de las Carreras is an absolute gem, along with her 106C course at UCLA. Not only does this class survey the very best of emotionally and intellectually probing films from around the world, but it also forces one to constantly be aware of all the disciplines of art and cultural/political histories that influence and build cinema to this very day. Professor de las Carreras expects a lot from her students which is refreshing in a film class, which many students generally either take for granted or try to write off as an "easy GE." 106C does not qualify as this kind of film class because she pushes you with her assignments, engages in class discussions, and most of all shares her contagious passion for all things cinematic - which is the greatest driving force in inspiring students in my opinion. Aside from that, she is extremely responsive if you are seeking help outside of class or even sending an email - she responded within minutes of having sent an email regarding my research paper even when she was in Germany over the weekend for the Berlin International Film Festival! You will view A LOT of films both inside and outside of class and will have a very hefty course reader to read from but this is important in understanding how multilayered each country's cinematic history is and also crucial in reaching the current pulse of production and distribution of films on a global scale. Overall, this class was one of the highlights as an undergraduate at UCLA and made me feel like my tuition money is being well-spent.

Professor de las Carreras' class was honestly one of the most unforgettable and eye-opening I have taken here at UCLA, and her knowledge of culture on a global scale and the globalization of such in terms of cinema made coming to class twice a week such an anticipated experience. Since then, I’ve become an avid fan of film-makers like Takeshi Kitano, Wong Kar-Wai, and Alejandro González Iñárritu, and am always thinking back to what I learned in 106C. She is amazing, the course is amazing, you won't regret a second in class.

I took Film/TV 106C and she was beyond amazing!! She really inspired me to pursue a Masters Degree in Film Studies. The films we watched in this class have stayed with me still, after about a year... I look through her syllabus and course reader from time to time when I want to go back and rewatch some of the films. You honestly will not regret taking her class! She is the sweetest woman and professor I had met during my four years at UCLA. Her lectures outline the historical/geographical/cultural background to each film, and really give you a good understanding of where the filmmaker's are coming from and what might have motivated them to produce such films.. I remember taking this class in the Winter of 2009, it was a 3 hour class, in the mornings and I would commute (an hour drive)...but I did not miss a single lecture, because I knew I would be missing out on an insightful lecture. Please register for her class if you are looking for a good film class, you will thank yourself later!

Even though this class was in the morning, the films were good enough to keep me awake. I think we ended up watching 35 or so films altogether for the class which included an online viewing list. Watching movies is the best homework I've ever had. The structure of the class was fantastic, mostly paper based with a cumulative final at the end. The paper topics were great and really allowed some flexibility and creativity, which made the class very enjoyable. The lectures were great. Professor Carreras is extremely knowledgeable about all the film industries and also very friendly. It's one of the best classes I've taken at UCLA.

Professor De La Carreras was a great instructor. And even though I am not a Film major it was incredibly interesting. Most of the films are online so we dont have to go to ALL of the lectures. All of her presentation are online as well. The TA's were really concerned this quarter. The professor basically tells us what the final entails and the 3 papers prior to the final are interesting and not too hard. Overall, great course if you need the GE.