🎞️International Cinema Unit 13 – Latin American Cinema: Third Cinema & New Waves

What's This Unit About?

• Explores the development and impact of Latin American cinema, particularly focusing on the Third Cinema movement and New Wave cinemas that emerged in the 1960s and 1970s
• Examines how filmmakers used their work to challenge dominant ideologies, address social and political issues, and assert a distinct Latin American cultural identity
• Investigates the innovative techniques and styles employed by Latin American filmmakers to create a unique cinematic language
• Considers the historical, cultural, and political contexts that shaped the emergence and evolution of Latin American cinema during this period
• Analyzes the contributions of key filmmakers, such as Glauber Rocha, Fernando Solanas, and Tomás Gutiérrez Alea, to the development of Third Cinema and New Wave movements
• Assesses the impact of Latin American cinema on global film culture and its influence on contemporary filmmaking practices

Historical Context

• Latin American cinema emerged in the context of post-World War II decolonization and the rise of revolutionary movements across the region
• Economic and political instability, marked by military dictatorships, foreign intervention, and social inequality, shaped the themes and concerns of Latin American filmmakers
• The Cuban Revolution (1959) and its aftermath inspired a wave of politically engaged filmmaking throughout Latin America
• The Third Cinema movement, which originated in Argentina, called for a revolutionary cinema that challenged Hollywood's dominance and addressed the realities of the "Third World"
• New Wave cinemas in countries like Brazil (Cinema Novo) and Mexico (Nuevo Cine Mexicano) sought to create a distinctly Latin American cinematic language and aesthetic
  • Cinema Novo emphasized social and political critique, often using non-professional actors and location shooting
  • Nuevo Cine Mexicano rejected the dominant studio system and explored themes of national identity and social justice
• The rise of film festivals, such as the Festival Internacional del Nuevo Cine Latinoamericano in Havana, provided platforms for Latin American filmmakers to showcase their work and engage in cultural exchange

Key Filmmakers and Their Works

• Glauber Rocha (Brazil): A leading figure of the Cinema Novo movement, known for his politically charged and aesthetically innovative films
  • "Black God, White Devil" (1964) - A seminal work of Cinema Novo that combines folklore, mysticism, and social critique
  • "Antonio das Mortes" (1969) - A allegorical film that explores the history of violence and oppression in Brazil
• Fernando Solanas (Argentina): Co-founder of the Grupo Cine Liberación and a key theorist of Third Cinema
  • "The Hour of the Furnaces" (1968) - A groundbreaking documentary that combines political analysis, interviews, and agitprop techniques to critique neocolonialism in Argentina
  • "Tangos: The Exile of Gardel" (1985) - A musical drama that reflects on the experience of exile and the search for cultural identity
• Tomás Gutiérrez Alea (Cuba): A prominent figure in post-revolutionary Cuban cinema, known for his critical examinations of the revolution's impact on society
  • "Memories of Underdevelopment" (1968) - A landmark film that explores the alienation and disillusionment of a bourgeois intellectual in post-revolutionary Cuba
  • "The Last Supper" (1976) - A historical drama that critiques the role of the Catholic Church in the oppression of enslaved Africans in Cuba
• Alejandro Jodorowsky (Chile): A avant-garde filmmaker and artist whose surrealist works challenged conventional narrative structures and explored themes of spirituality and identity
  • "El Topo" (1970) - A surrealist Western that became a cult classic and influenced the development of the "Midnight Movie" phenomenon
  • "The Holy Mountain" (1973) - A visually stunning and symbolically rich film that critiques consumerism and spiritual emptiness in modern society

Major Themes and Styles

• Third Cinema and New Wave movements in Latin America often addressed themes of social and political struggle, cultural identity, and the legacy of colonialism
• Filmmakers sought to challenge the dominant ideologies and power structures that perpetuated inequality and oppression in their societies
• Many films explored the experiences and perspectives of marginalized groups, such as indigenous communities, the working class, and women
• Latin American filmmakers often employed innovative and experimental techniques to create a distinct cinematic language
  • Use of non-linear narratives, fragmented editing, and unconventional camera angles to disrupt traditional storytelling conventions
  • Incorporation of documentary footage, interviews, and agitprop elements to blur the lines between fiction and reality
  • Emphasis on location shooting, natural lighting, and the use of non-professional actors to create a sense of authenticity and immediacy
• Filmmakers drew on a range of cultural influences, including indigenous traditions, Afro-Latin American heritage, and European avant-garde movements, to create a hybrid and diverse cinematic aesthetic
• The use of allegory, symbolism, and metaphor allowed filmmakers to address sensitive political and social issues while evading censorship and repression

Political and Social Impact

• Latin American cinema of the 1960s and 1970s played a significant role in raising awareness about social and political issues in the region
• Films served as a form of cultural resistance, challenging the dominant narratives and ideologies promoted by authoritarian regimes and foreign powers
• Third Cinema and New Wave movements encouraged the development of a critical consciousness among audiences, inspiring political activism and social change
• Filmmakers often faced censorship, persecution, and exile due to the subversive nature of their work
  • Many films were banned or heavily censored by military dictatorships and conservative governments
  • Some filmmakers, such as Glauber Rocha and Fernando Solanas, were forced into exile due to political pressure and threats of violence
• Despite these challenges, Latin American cinema succeeded in creating a space for alternative perspectives and marginalized voices to be heard
• The impact of Latin American cinema extended beyond the region, influencing filmmakers and intellectuals around the world who were interested in the potential of film as a tool for social and political transformation

Comparison to Hollywood and European Cinema

• Latin American cinema of the 1960s and 1970s emerged as a distinct alternative to the dominant models of Hollywood and European cinema
• While Hollywood films often prioritized entertainment value and commercial success, Latin American filmmakers sought to create a cinema that was socially and politically engaged
• European art cinema, particularly the French New Wave, influenced Latin American filmmakers in terms of their experimentation with form and style
  • However, Latin American filmmakers adapted these techniques to address the specific realities and concerns of their own societies
• Third Cinema, in particular, rejected the notion of cinema as a purely aesthetic or commercial enterprise, instead emphasizing its potential as a tool for revolutionary change
• Latin American films often had lower budgets and less access to distribution networks compared to their Hollywood and European counterparts
  • This limitation encouraged filmmakers to be more resourceful and innovative in their approach to production and exhibition
• While Hollywood and European films tended to focus on individual characters and psychological depth, Latin American cinema often prioritized collective struggles and social analysis
• The use of non-professional actors, location shooting, and documentary elements in Latin American films contrasted with the more polished and artificial aesthetics of mainstream cinema

Legacy and Influence

• The Third Cinema movement and New Wave cinemas of the 1960s and 1970s had a lasting impact on Latin American film culture and global cinema
• The theoretical writings of filmmakers like Fernando Solanas and Octavio Getino, such as their manifesto "Towards a Third Cinema," continue to be studied and debated by film scholars and activists
• The innovative techniques and styles developed by Latin American filmmakers have been adopted and adapted by subsequent generations of filmmakers in the region and beyond
• Contemporary Latin American cinema continues to address social and political issues, drawing on the legacy of Third Cinema and New Wave movements
  • Films like "City of God" (2002) and "Roma" (2018) have garnered international acclaim while exploring themes of inequality, violence, and marginalization
• The success of Latin American films at international festivals and the emergence of new platforms for distribution have increased the visibility and accessibility of the region's cinema
• The influence of Latin American cinema can be seen in the work of filmmakers around the world who are committed to using film as a tool for social and political change
  • For example, the "Third Cinema" concept has been adapted by filmmakers in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East to address the specific challenges and concerns of their own societies

Key Takeaways

• Latin American cinema of the 1960s and 1970s, particularly the Third Cinema movement and New Wave cinemas, emerged as a powerful force for social and political change in the region
• Filmmakers used their work to challenge dominant ideologies, address issues of inequality and oppression, and assert a distinct Latin American cultural identity
• The historical context of decolonization, revolutionary struggles, and political instability shaped the themes and concerns of Latin American filmmakers during this period
• Key filmmakers, such as Glauber Rocha, Fernando Solanas, and Tomás Gutiérrez Alea, made significant contributions to the development of a unique Latin American cinematic language and aesthetic
• Latin American films often employed innovative techniques, such as non-linear narratives, documentary elements, and location shooting, to create a sense of authenticity and immediacy
• The political and social impact of Latin American cinema extended beyond the region, inspiring filmmakers and activists around the world who were interested in the potential of film as a tool for transformation
• While Latin American cinema faced challenges such as censorship, persecution, and limited resources, it succeeded in creating a space for alternative perspectives and marginalized voices to be heard
• The legacy and influence of the Third Cinema movement and New Wave cinemas continue to shape contemporary Latin American film culture and global cinema, inspiring new generations of filmmakers committed to social and political engagement