Is one form of cinema more truthful than any other? Are realist styles any more ethical with regards to the depiction of marginalized populations? How and why has realism become an idiom of prestige for Latin American films on the festival circuit? For nearly a century, cinemas purporting to offer an alternative to entertainment films have attempted to situate themselves within a privileged relationship to realism in contradistinction to the notions of pleasure, distraction, and deception that critics have identified as inherent to the commercial movie industry. Taking as its point of departure the Latin American documentary tradition’s impact within the region’s narrative film production throughout the entirety of its history, this course will study the various forms of filmic realism that have influenced and surfaced within Latin American cinema including Soviet realism, Italian neorealism, and cinema verité, among others. In this course students will acquire knowledge of the periods of Latin American cinema history and a familiarity with film theory pertaining to realism. Students will also develop the capacity to speak and write about film analysis in both narrative and technical terms. In this discussion-based seminar students are expected to lead class discussions and deliver oral presentations. Students will also produce written essays including one short technical analysis, one formal analysis, and a research paper. Language of instruction is Spanish; assignments accepted in English upon consultation with the instructor.
Spring 2025: Thurs. 12:30PM - 03:20PM;
G58 Literatures, Cultures, & Ling CRN 35627
Professor Monica García Blizzard
