Frankfurt(2008)
Documentary and the Campesino Icon in Paraguay
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 2170152 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Eva Karene Romero (corresponding author) |
| Year | 2013 |
| Volume | 22 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Pages | 195-212 |
| Publication date | 2013-06-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Journal of Latin American Cultural Studies (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1356-9325 • E-ISSN: 1469-9575 |
| Publisher | Informa UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/13569325.2013.795132 |
| OpenAlex | W1973734890 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 9 |
The politically charged Paraguayan campesino icon is the protagonist of Frankfurt (2008), a documentary by Ramiro Gómez. In this essay I explore the tension between two possible readings of how the campesino is represented as he watches the 2006 FIFA World Cup. In one reading, elevating the campesino protagonist represents an effort to strengthen national identity and advocacy for the rural poor. In an oppositional reading, the campesino protagonist represents an obstacle to the completion of Paraguay's economic growth and modernization. In exploring these readings I use theorizations of the role of fútbol, nationalist fervor, television, popular catholicism, affect, historical border wars and the neoliberal economic world system. It is only through a conceptualization of the public sphere as a unified yet fragmented condition in which the accelerating interchange of information takes place that we can meaningfully analyse how football and politics inform each other, how citizens become fans and fans citizens. It is precisely because football and its fans are part of a single – though not coherent – public that themes such as religion, sexuality, party politics and ethnicity inform and reflect discourse. (Cornel Sandvoss, A Game of Two Halves) Notes 1 While the 'observational' style and ethic described here could be linked to more recent trends in New Argentine Cinema, for example, Gómez's training at the ICAIC (Instituto Cubano de Arte e Industria Cinematográficos) and statements he has made trace his attitude back to the Solanas generation in a notable 'return to the origins'. For example, in his August 2010 editorial he specifically turns 'scarcity into a signifier' (King, 1990 King, John. 1990. Magical Reels: A History of Cinema in Latin America, London: Verso. [Google Scholar]: 154) stating 'A un país pobre corresponde un cine austero' (Gómez). He later informally retracts this statement (on Facebook) when Paraguayan film 7 Cajas (2012) achieves box office success and some critical acclaim. 2 For a brief op-ed that illustrates popular discourse on how Paraguay's social problems are traceable to its indigeneity, see 'Inventario de un pueblo diferente' by Marzha Navarro. http://html.larueda.com.py/marzhan005.htm. 3 A traditional infusion made with yerba mate that has been toasted with hot coals. 4 Coquito is a type of bread that hardens and dries out in the same manner as a soft pretzel. This allows people to buy it in bulk at low prices and consume it long after regular bread would have gone stale. It is typically eaten with a hot beverage in which it can be dunked and softened. It is noteworthy that this youth's breakfast does not include any type of protein. 5 This phrase in Guaraní translates to 'Me pica la mano', a sign of good luck. 6 The Triple Alliance War is also widely known as the Paraguayan War. I prefer to use the Paraguayan name for this event. For more sources on the war, see Saeger, 2007 Saeger, James Schofield. 2007. Francisco Solano López and the Ruination of Paraguay: Honor and Egocentrism, Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield. [Google Scholar]; Chiavenato, 1982 Chiavenato, Julio José. 1982. Genocídio americano: a Guerra do Paraguai, São Paulo: Brasiliense. [Google Scholar]; Cardozo, 1965 Cardozo, Efraím. 1965. Breve Historia Del Paraguay, Buenos Aires: Editorial Universitaria de Buenos Aires. [Google Scholar]. 7 See Salles, Ricardo (2003). Guerra do Paraguai: Memórias & Imagens. Rio de Janeiro: Bibilioteca Nacional
Football · Icon · Media studies · Modernization theory · Nationalism · Political science · Politics · Public sphere · Reading (process · Sociology · Cultural, Media, and Literary Studies · Gender Studies · Latin American Literature Studies · Law · Youth Culture and Social Dynamics
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |