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SURREALISM, THE LATIN CULTURAL JEWEL.

Writer's picture: Beto SporkensBeto Sporkens

Surrealism was an artistic and literary movement that emerged in Paris in the 1920s, within the context of the avant-garde movements that would come to define modernism in the period between the two World Wars. It brought together artists previously associated with Dadaism and gained worldwide prominence.


Among the best-known surrealist artists are the French poet André Breton, the Belgian artist René Magritte and, most notably, the Spanish painter Salvador Dalí.


Surrealism influenced literature, cinema, music and art in general, leaving a lasting legacy in popular culture. Interestingly, the movement seems to have developed more strongly among peoples with Latin-speaking backgrounds, such as France, Spain and Mexico.


In cinema, the tradition seems to have been repeated, with great filmmakers of Latin origin as the greatest exponents of this fascinating art.


Salvador Dalí's work is notable for its incredible combination of bizarre and dreamlike images, with excellent artistic quality. Dalí was influenced by the masters of classicism and Pablo Picasso. Above are some paintings by this genius, who created images that seem like dreams, mirages and hallucinations.


Surrealism in cinema has a rich and diverse history, with some of the world’s most innovative and daring filmmakers. Luis Buñuel was one of the most influential filmmakers of his time, having been a friend and collaborator of Salvador Dali. He produced many surrealist films, such as...


“Un Chien Andalou” (1929), the movement’s inaugural short film, and other classics such as “The Exterminating Angel” (1965) and “Belle de Jour” (1967). Buñuel is known for his ability to create shocking and disturbing images that defy logic and reason.


Decades later, the movement would continue to influence great artists and filmmakers such as Alfred Hitchcock, in "VERTIGO" (Vertigo); Walt Disney, in a short film that would only be released 58 years later, "Destino" (2003); Federico Fellini, in films such as "8 and 1/2"; and Jean-Luc Godard in works such as The Eleven-O'Clock Demon.


Latin American filmmakers also contributed to the movement, such as the Brazilian Glauber Rocha, who in the 1960s used surrealism as a tool to explore themes such as identity, politics and human nature.


In later decades, it is also easy to find references in the works of famous and creative filmmakers such as David Lynch, in the series "Twin Peaks" and in films such as "Mulholland Drive" and "Lost Highway". Returning to the Latins, the torch was also carried with praise by Pedro Almodovar, in scenes from films such as "Talk to Her" and in the development of the script for the brilliant Argentine film "Wild Tales", which he produced.


In general, the countries considered Latin are those colonized by European metropolises and that speak neo-Latin languages, such as Portuguese, Spanish and Italian.


Today, contrary to the moment of infantilization of cinema with the dominance of superhero films, some of the biggest names hired by Hollywood, mainly from Mexico, are skilled creators of surrealist films and scenes.


Check out some of the main names and works below.


GUILLERMO DEL TORO

Guillermo del Toro is a renowned Mexican filmmaker, screenwriter, and producer, known for his ability to create fantastic and surreal stories. His most famous films include "Pan's Labyrinth", "The Shape of Water", and "Hellboy". Del Toro is a big fan of science fiction, fantasy, and horror, and is known for being an avid collector of artifacts related to these genres. He is also an advocate for Latin culture and often incorporates elements of Mexican mythology into his works, being considered one of the most creative and original filmmakers of his generation.


Pan's Labyrinth" (2006)

"Pan's Labyrinth" is one of the best examples of his ability to create fantastical and engaging stories. "Pan's Labyrinth" is a dark and magical fable set in post-Civil War Spain, which follows the journey of a young girl who discovers an underground world filled with fantastical creatures.



Pinnochio (2022)

"Pinocchio" is a dark adaptation of the classic Italian fairy tale, made in STOP MOTION, that is, animating real dolls and scenes. The film follows the adventures of the wooden puppet who wants to become a real boy, but it has major differences in relation to the Walt Disney classic. It is rich in details and atmosphere, unique in its visuals and also carries a strong criticism of Fascism, already addressed by Del Toro in several works.


ALEJANDRO IÑÁRRITU

Alejandro González Iñárritu is a renowned Mexican filmmaker, producer and screenwriter who is known for his powerful and provocative films that explore themes of violence, love, death and redemption. Iñárritu has directed and produced award-winning films such as "Birdman", "The Revenant", "Amores Brutos", "Babel" and "21 Grams". He is considered one of the greatest filmmakers of his generation and has won numerous awards, including four Academy Awards.

BARDO, False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths (2022)

Highly immersive and visually stunning and surreal at times, the film tells the intimate journey of Silverio, a Mexican who lives in Los Angeles and works as a documentary director. After winning an important international award, Silverio feels the need to return to his home country — but he doesn't realize that this trip will lead him to the brink of an existential crisis.


Bidman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) (2015)

"Birdman" tells the story of a washed-up actor, Riggan Thomson, who tries to reinvent himself by directing and starring in a Broadway play. What makes the film exceptional is the way it was shot, presenting the story as a single continuous take, with no visible cuts. The film has a unique blend of humor and drama, as well as an excellent cast led by Michael Keaton in the title role; Edward Norton, who plays a talented but difficult actor; Emma Stone, who plays Riggan's daughter, recently released from rehab; and Naomi Watts, who plays an actress.


The film is set against the backdrop of the entertainment industry, but deals with profound issues such as the pursuit of fame, the need to be loved, and the struggle for self-acceptance. It won several awards, including the Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Cinematography.



“Cinema has no borders or limits. It is a constant flow of dreams.”

- Orson Welles -


ALFONSO CUARÓN

Alfonso Cuarón is a Mexican director, screenwriter and producer who has become one of Hollywood’s most respected filmmakers. Born in 1961 in Mexico City, he began his career in the film industry in his home country. His films include award-winning works such as “Y Tu Mamá También,” “Children of Men,” and “Roma.” Cuarón is known for his inventive directing style, compelling storytelling, and his use of technology to create stunning visual worlds. He has won numerous awards throughout his career, including two Academy Awards for Best Director.


CHILDREN OF MEN (2006)

"Children of Man" portrays a futuristic society in which humanity finds itself in a state of crisis due to widespread infertility. One of the main surrealist characteristics of the film is the representation of the future as an extension of the present, but with a distortion of reality. The city is portrayed as a chaotic and oppressive place, where people live in a constant state of fear and hopelessness. In addition, technology, although advanced, is portrayed in a decadent and precarious way, which reinforces the feeling of an unbalanced reality.


Another surrealist element present in the film is the representation of everyday life as something fragmented and irrational.


The narrative presents a series of disconnected and disturbing events that, together, contribute to the construction of an absurd and enigmatic universe. The colors are saturated and vibrant at times, but at others they are distorted and faded, contributing to the feeling of an altered and disturbing reality.


GRAVITY (2013)

NO, "Gravity" is not a Surrealist film. But this, which is its greatest commercial success, deserves a special mention for investing heavily in technology to try to create a type of film that could be considered a milestone in Hyper-Realism in Cinema.


Starring Sandra Bullock and George Clooney, the title brings together impressive sequences of space, perfectly simulating the life of astronauts in orbit. And, although there is a lot of accurate information and descriptions in the film (see this link for a list evaluated by scientists and astronauts), what is really impressive is the poetic force that the director managed to give to the orbital setting and the existentialist story of this pair of astronauts who must defy the inexorable to return to Earth.

The word hyperrealism first appeared as the title of an exhibition organized by Belgian gallery owner Isy Brachot in 1973. Some of the greatest exponents of this movement include names such as Patricia Piccinini and Ron Mueck, who is the author of this gigantic sleeping head exhibited in many museums.


In short, surrealism in Latin American cinema is fascinating and multifaceted, having produced some of the most innovative and daring works in world cinema. Surrealism continues to be an influential force in Latin American culture and beyond; and it seems to have adapted perfectly to our languages ​​and way of being.


And you, why do you think Latinos seem to have an easier time creating surrealist works?


See you soon!











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