«Emancipatory Films»: The cinematic art of the reality representation in the service of equality and social emancipation.
Author: Almeida Martins, Pedro E., pmartins.feuc@gmail.com
Department: Sociology
University: Faculty of Economics of University of Coimbra, Portugal
Supervisor: Maria Paula Abreu
Year of completion: In progress
Language of dissertation: Portuguese
Keywords:
Sociology of Culture
, Queer and LGBT Portuguese Cine
, LGBT Rights
, Social Emancipation
Areas of Research:
Human Rights and Global Justice
Abstract
As doctoral thesis in sociology I propose a study and reflection upon the new portuguese cinema. The analysis aims to reflect the context of the portuguese film production following three theoretical frameworks of knowledge. First, opposing it’s logic production in the context of standardized logic by culture industry, according to Theodor Adorno and Max Horkheimer; secondly, in the same sense that the film refers to an artistic and collective activity, for Howard Becker; and third, identifying the "symbolic power" and its social structure of legitimation, focusing on the perspective of Pierre Bourdieu, particularly in the context of representation of socially marginalized identities. Specifically, I seek to study and analyze the new portuguese cinema movement which introduced the theme of LGBTQ identities in it’s production. Looking for a reflection upon LGBTQ identities, narratives and social experiences portrayed in film production, the main purpose is to construct a relevant empirical and analytical framework willing to portray equality as right and not a social privilege upon hyperbolization identities of sex and gender. As the question of departure to my investigation, I question: What does exist in the cinematic representation that point’s out social emancipatory and transformation? Specifically, to what extent the film can be a precursor route to social transformation and emancipation in the inclusion of LGBTQ identities and experiences in their production? I ground my argument that movies, like a universe where are widespread modes of heterodox life, is potentially emancipatory in the recognition to diversity and to the emergence of new political, social, moral and ethical attitudes towards the materialization of identities by sex and by gender, followed by a logical alternative cultural production that diffracts social reality.
