Course Description
The Hispanic and Luso- Brazilian Cinematic Lens- A Memorable Gaze to Human Odyssey: This course will examine the multiple ways that Hispanic and Brazilian filmmakers have seen Hispanic world, its people, religious beliefs and cultures for more than a century. This course provides the student with a range of perspectives on cultural developments in Spain, Brazil, Latin America and the Caribbean from the colonial to the modern period, using critical and literary texts as well as films. Open to everyone. Taught in English.
Reflective Narrative
In SPAN 325, I learned about the most representative films from Latin America and Spain that addressed the social problems of the 20th century and today. The class dynamic was effective, because we watched the films, answered comprehension questions, worked with a group of students and then analyzed and discussed the structure of the films, the purpose, the director's message and the relationship to a historical theme and social problem in Latin America. My group and I conducted, "Roma (2018) Presentation" to address the film Roma (2018) directed by the multi-winner of the Oscars Alfoso Cuarón. This film relates the director's childhood in Mexico City where it is possible to perceive the distinction of social classes and the social issues that happened during the 1960s and 1970s. For example, reference is made to the Halconazo, one of the many student repressions by the Mexican government that occurred on June 12, 1971 in Mexico City. In this incident more than 120 students were killed by the Halcones (Falcons), a paramilitary group organized by the Mexican authorities to repress student demonstrations. It is relevant to mention that the authorities who were training the Halcones received military training at the International Police Academy (IPA) of Washington. One of Cuarón's major purposes was to show the historic repression that students in Mexico have suffered for demanding their rights. The Halconazo (1971), the Tlatelolco Massacre (1968) and Ayotzinapa (2015) are perfect examples of the violent intervention of Mexican authorities to silence the voices of justice. These cases have many things in common: ¡fue el gobierno! (it was the government!) and there has not yet been justice. This class is related to SPAN 330.