From revolutionary manifestos to globally acclaimed auteurs, Latin American cinema has long been one of the most politically engaged and formally inventive film traditions in the world. This course offers an introduction to the rich and diverse cinemas of Latin America, tracing how filmmakers across the region have responded to colonial legacies, dictatorship, inequality, urbanisation, and globalisation.Across six weeks, we wi...
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This film studies course provides a historical, cultural, and theoretical overview of Latin American cinema from the 1960s to the present. It introduces students to major movements, filmmakers, and themes that have shaped film culture across the region, while emphasising the diversity of national contexts and cinematic strategies. The course begins with radical filmmaking traditions such as Third Cinema, before moving through documentary practices shaped by dictatorship and political trauma, revolutionary cinema in Cuba, and influential movements such as Cinema Novo in Brazil. Later weeks address the rise of internationally recognised auteurs such as Lucrecia Martel and Alfonso Cuarón, and the importance of diasporic and transnational filmmaking.
What will we cover?
Radical political cinema and the emergence of Third Cinema in Argentina and Chile and Cinema Novo in Brazil
Chilean documentary cinema, memory, and dictatorship, with a focus on Patricio Guzmán
Cuban post-revolution cinema and the role of the state in film production (e.g. Lucia and Memories of Underdevelopment)
Urban violence and issues of representation in 21st century Brazilian cinema (e.g. City of God)
The rise of global auteurs such as Alejandro González Iñárritu and Alfonso Cuarón from Mexico and Lucrecia Martel in Argentina
Diasporic and pan-American cinema, including films about migration, exile, and transnational identity (e.g. Maria Full of Grace, El Norte or The Motorcycle Diaries)
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
Identify key movements, filmmakers, and historical phases in Latin American cinema
Analyse how Latin American films engage with political history, social inequality, and cultural identity
Situate individual films within their national, regional, and transnational contexts
Apply critical and theoretical perspectives to the study of politically engaged and globally circulating cinema
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is suitable for all levels. No prior knowledge of Latin American cinema is required, just an interest in film, history, and global culture. The course will be accessible to newcomers while also offering fresh critical perspectives for those with some existing background in film studies.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Short clips from the films will be provided, as well as reading materials. The class will be structured around a combination of PowerPoint presentations, film clips and class discussions.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
The tutor will show extracts from films and you do not have to obtain them.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Please look also for other Film Studies courses under History Culture and Writing/Film Studies at www.citylit.ac.uk.
Dr Jean-Baptiste de Vaulx has taught at Royal Holloway, University of London, and currently is an associate lecturer at University College London. His fields of teaching and research focus on world cinema, international film history, film festivals and cinephile film cultures. He has published articles and book chapters on varied topics including child characters in Iranian cinema, the theme of home in the films of Lucrecia Martel, the Japanese new wave director Hiroshi Teshigahara, and the history of world cinema programming on Channel Four.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/latin-american-cinema3018802Latin American Cinemahttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/exploring-european-cinema-hf382-1080.jpg179179GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Film studies/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Film studies/World film22851177158021001228511771580<p>From revolutionary manifestos to globally acclaimed auteurs, Latin American cinema has long been one of the most politically engaged and formally inventive film traditions in the world. This course offers an introduction to the rich and diverse cinemas of Latin America, tracing how filmmakers across the region have responded to colonial legacies, dictatorship, inequality, urbanisation, and globalisation.<br/>Across six weeks, we will move between national cinemas and transnational perspectives, exploring key movements such as Third Cinema and Cinema Novo, alongside influential filmmakers from Argentina, Chile, Brazil, Mexico, and Cuba. The course will also consider diasporic films that reflect migration and cross-border identities. Throughout, we will examine how Latin American cinema has functioned not only as artistic expression, but also as political intervention, historical memory, and cultural self-definition.<br/> </p>003018787Latin American Cinema179179https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/exploring-european-cinema-hf382-1080.jpgInStockDaytimeWedKeeley StreetAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2026-05-06T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allMay 2026Culture, history & humanitiesHF426179179Latin American Cinema143116179Jean-Baptiste de Vaulxlatin-american-cinema/hf426-2526<p>From revolutionary manifestos to globally acclaimed auteurs, Latin American cinema has long been one of the most politically engaged and formally inventive film traditions in the world. This course offers an introduction to the rich and diverse cinemas of Latin America, tracing how filmmakers across the region have responded to colonial legacies, dictatorship, inequality, urbanisation, and globalisation.<br/>Across six weeks, we will move between national cinemas and transnational perspectives, exploring key movements such as Third Cinema and Cinema Novo, alongside influential filmmakers from Argentina, Chile, Brazil, Mexico, and Cuba. The course will also consider diasporic films that reflect migration and cross-border identities. Throughout, we will examine how Latin American cinema has functioned not only as artistic expression, but also as political intervention, historical memory, and cultural self-definition.<br/> </p>0000-Available|2026-05-06 00:00:00<p>This film studies course provides a historical, cultural, and theoretical overview of Latin American cinema from the 1960s to the present. It introduces students to major movements, filmmakers, and themes that have shaped film culture across the region, while emphasising the diversity of national contexts and cinematic strategies.<br/>The course begins with radical filmmaking traditions such as Third Cinema, before moving through documentary practices shaped by dictatorship and political trauma, revolutionary cinema in Cuba, and influential movements such as Cinema Novo in Brazil. Later weeks address the rise of internationally recognised auteurs such as Lucrecia Martel and Alfonso Cuarón, and the importance of diasporic and transnational filmmaking.<br/> </p><p>From revolutionary manifestos to globally acclaimed auteurs, Latin American cinema has long been one of the most politically engaged and formally inventive film traditions in the world. This course offers an introduction to the rich and diverse cinemas of Latin America, tracing how filmmakers across the region have responded to colonial legacies, dictatorship, inequality, urbanisation, and globalisation.<br/>Across six weeks, we will move between national cinemas and transnational perspectives, exploring key movements such as Third Cinema and Cinema Novo, alongside influential filmmakers from Argentina, Chile, Brazil, Mexico, and Cuba. The course will also consider diasporic films that reflect migration and cross-border identities. Throughout, we will examine how Latin American cinema has functioned not only as artistic expression, but also as political intervention, historical memory, and cultural self-definition.<br/> </p><ul><li>Radical political cinema and the emergence of Third Cinema in Argentina and Chile and Cinema Novo in Brazil</li><li>Chilean documentary cinema, memory, and dictatorship, with a focus on Patricio Guzmán</li><li>Cuban post-revolution cinema and the role of the state in film production (e.g. Lucia and Memories of Underdevelopment)</li><li>Urban violence and issues of representation in 21st century Brazilian cinema (e.g. City of God)</li><li>The rise of global auteurs such as Alejandro González Iñárritu and Alfonso Cuarón from Mexico and Lucrecia Martel in Argentina</li><li>Diasporic and pan-American cinema, including films about migration, exile, and transnational identity (e.g. Maria Full of Grace, El Norte or The Motorcycle Diaries)<br/> </li></ul><ul><li>Identify key movements, filmmakers, and historical phases in Latin American cinema</li><li>Analyse how Latin American films engage with political history, social inequality, and cultural identity</li><li>Situate individual films within their national, regional, and transnational contexts</li><li>Apply critical and theoretical perspectives to the study of politically engaged and globally circulating cinema<br/> </li></ul><p>This course is suitable for all levels. No prior knowledge of Latin American cinema is required, just an interest in film, history, and global culture. The course will be accessible to newcomers while also offering fresh critical perspectives for those with some existing background in film studies.</p><p>Short clips from the films will be provided, as well as reading materials. The class will be structured around a combination of PowerPoint presentations, film clips and class discussions.</p><p>The tutor will show extracts from films and you do not have to obtain them.</p><p>Please look also for other Film Studies courses under History Culture and Writing/Film Studies at www.citylit.ac.uk.</p>Film studiesWorld filmvirtual143179116HF426NONEWed06/05/26 - 10/06/2615:00 - 17:0015:0017:006 sessions (over 6 weeks)65-10 weeksDaytimeWeekdayKSKeeley StreetJean-Baptiste de VaulxBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-05-06T00:00:00+00:00May 2026Culture, history & humanities179179Latin American Cinemalatin-american-cinema/hf426-2526<p>From revolutionary manifestos to globally acclaimed auteurs, Latin American cinema has long been one of the most politically engaged and formally inventive film traditions in the world. This course offers an introduction to the rich and diverse cinemas of Latin America, tracing how filmmakers across the region have responded to colonial legacies, dictatorship, inequality, urbanisation, and globalisation.<br/>Across six weeks, we will move between national cinemas and transnational perspectives, exploring key movements such as Third Cinema and Cinema Novo, alongside influential filmmakers from Argentina, Chile, Brazil, Mexico, and Cuba. The course will also consider diasporic films that reflect migration and cross-border identities. Throughout, we will examine how Latin American cinema has functioned not only as artistic expression, but also as political intervention, historical memory, and cultural self-definition.<br/> </p>0000-Available|2026-05-06 00:00:00<p>This film studies course provides a historical, cultural, and theoretical overview of Latin American cinema from the 1960s to the present. It introduces students to major movements, filmmakers, and themes that have shaped film culture across the region, while emphasising the diversity of national contexts and cinematic strategies.<br/>The course begins with radical filmmaking traditions such as Third Cinema, before moving through documentary practices shaped by dictatorship and political trauma, revolutionary cinema in Cuba, and influential movements such as Cinema Novo in Brazil. Later weeks address the rise of internationally recognised auteurs such as Lucrecia Martel and Alfonso Cuarón, and the importance of diasporic and transnational filmmaking.<br/> </p><p>From revolutionary manifestos to globally acclaimed auteurs, Latin American cinema has long been one of the most politically engaged and formally inventive film traditions in the world. This course offers an introduction to the rich and diverse cinemas of Latin America, tracing how filmmakers across the region have responded to colonial legacies, dictatorship, inequality, urbanisation, and globalisation.<br/>Across six weeks, we will move between national cinemas and transnational perspectives, exploring key movements such as Third Cinema and Cinema Novo, alongside influential filmmakers from Argentina, Chile, Brazil, Mexico, and Cuba. The course will also consider diasporic films that reflect migration and cross-border identities. Throughout, we will examine how Latin American cinema has functioned not only as artistic expression, but also as political intervention, historical memory, and cultural self-definition.<br/> </p><ul><li>Radical political cinema and the emergence of Third Cinema in Argentina and Chile and Cinema Novo in Brazil</li><li>Chilean documentary cinema, memory, and dictatorship, with a focus on Patricio Guzmán</li><li>Cuban post-revolution cinema and the role of the state in film production (e.g. Lucia and Memories of Underdevelopment)</li><li>Urban violence and issues of representation in 21st century Brazilian cinema (e.g. City of God)</li><li>The rise of global auteurs such as Alejandro González Iñárritu and Alfonso Cuarón from Mexico and Lucrecia Martel in Argentina</li><li>Diasporic and pan-American cinema, including films about migration, exile, and transnational identity (e.g. Maria Full of Grace, El Norte or The Motorcycle Diaries)<br/> </li></ul><ul><li>Identify key movements, filmmakers, and historical phases in Latin American cinema</li><li>Analyse how Latin American films engage with political history, social inequality, and cultural identity</li><li>Situate individual films within their national, regional, and transnational contexts</li><li>Apply critical and theoretical perspectives to the study of politically engaged and globally circulating cinema<br/> </li></ul><p>This course is suitable for all levels. No prior knowledge of Latin American cinema is required, just an interest in film, history, and global culture. The course will be accessible to newcomers while also offering fresh critical perspectives for those with some existing background in film studies.</p><p>Short clips from the films will be provided, as well as reading materials. The class will be structured around a combination of PowerPoint presentations, film clips and class discussions.</p><p>The tutor will show extracts from films and you do not have to obtain them.</p><p>Please look also for other Film Studies courses under History Culture and Writing/Film Studies at www.citylit.ac.uk.</p>Film studiesWorld filmconfigurable
21001580World filmhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/film-studies/world-film1/2/285/1177/1580/21001/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Film studies/World film
