Not all films have the support of government institutions or agencies, nor partnerships with studios and distributors. Learn more about guerrilla cinema
Making movies isn’t easy. The process of producing a film takes years, requires a lot of work, different professionals, bureaucracy and, above all, money. When you have no support and no budget, the fruit of an important cultural movement is born: guerrilla cinema.
Guerrilla cinema is a movement born in the 60s, which has gained strength in Latin America. Through him many film productions have been possible, even with difficulty.
If you have never heard of this term or do not know very well what it means, what canaltech will tell you more about him. That’s why we spoke to professor and film critic Sihan Felix, who shared all his knowledge of the area with us to better understand what guerrilla cinema is and why the subject is so important.
What is guerrilla cinema?
According to Sihan Felix, guerrilla cinema is a term used to designate independent productions with extremely low budgets, often shot even without the authorization of government institutions and bodies.
“These films tend to have a critical and protesting approach, denouncing oppression, exploitation and social inequality, as well as defending ideals of justice and egalitarianism. The term ‘guerrilla’ refers to the fact that these films are often produced clandestinely, without support, without sponsorship and with the participation of a small and committed team,” he explains.
Characteristics
One of the main characteristics of guerrilla cinema is the low budget, and this means that the films are made with the money of the people involved, since there is no external investment. With that, the production does not involve major studios and distributors, as explained by Sihan.
The professor also emphasizes political engagement and creative freedom in relation to the narrative of the film, as well as aesthetics, as the main characteristics of the movement. From then on, the production “challenged the aesthetic and narrative conventions of traditional cinema, exploring new forms of artistic expression”.
Even in guerrilla cinema there is no industrial hierarchy and the work is done with a small team. Without sets or studios, the recordings take place in real locations, which makes the film more authentic and reminiscent of documentaries. These characteristics also translate into simpler technical features and cameras, as well as more natural lighting, which mainly depends on daylight.
The distribution of movie coming from guerrilla cinema are alternative and can be shown both on streaming platforms, such as Vimeo and YouTube itself, as well as in independent festivals and film clubs.
Sihan points out that not every guerrilla film will have all of these characteristics and that not every production needs to have all of them to be a guerrilla film. “It will depend on the historical, social and cultural context in which it was produced,” explains the critic.
It is also important to point out that not all cinema Independent is guerrilla cinema, but all guerrilla cinema is independent cinema. In the United States, for example, independent cinema is made with financial resources.
There are other terms that can be confused with guerrilla cinema, such as underground, which consists of more challenging and experimental films. More associated with the counterculture, they are more common in the United States and Europe.
There is also auteur cinema, which has a broader expression, as Sihan Felix explains: “It essentially reflects the personal vision and aesthetics of the person directing the work and are produced independently and on a low budget” .
Felix also explains that the closest term to guerrilla cinema is marginal cinema, “used to refer to films produced outside the dominant production system and which is often associated with social and political movements”. Just like guerrilla cinema, even the marginal is made with money from one’s own pocket.
Origins of Guerrilla Cinema Cinema
Sihan Felix explains that the term guerrilla cinema reflects its clandestine and committed origin. “The 1960s were a time of political, social and cultural transformation all over the world, especially in Latin America. Here, for example, we were entering a military dictatorship,” explains the professor.
“While some countries were going through processes of struggle for independence and the affirmation of their cultural identities, cinema became an important tool of expression and mobilization, allowing independent filmmakers to produce works that portrayed the social and political reality of their people and contested the events. This ‘guerrilla cinema’ was born in this context, as a form of resistance,” he adds.
The importance of guerrilla cinema
Guerrilla cinema is extremely important for the socio-cultural system. Sihan explains that, through him, “marginalized voices and non-hegemonic perspectives are represented on the screen, expanding the diversity of points of view and contributing to the construction of a more plural and inclusive culture”.
By presenting relevant political and social issues to the audience, through guerrilla cinema there is the mobilization of civil society for important issues. “It gives a voice to marginalized groups and individuals and can help build a more democratic and inclusive culture,” says Felix. “It can record important historical moments and retrieve the memory of struggles and resistances that might otherwise be forgotten or erased.”
References
Sihan cites some examples of films that represent guerrilla cinema, such as The hour of the hornsby Fernando Solanas and Octavio Getino. The film denounces the oppression and exploitation of the Argentine people.
Other good examples are movies Memories of underdevelopmentby Tomás Gutiérrez Alea, e Earth in a tranceby Glauber Rocha.
How to support guerrilla cinema?
Sihan explains that supporting guerrilla cinema can be done more than just by watching movie, as well as promote them to increase exposure and create demand. In addition, you can participate in independent film festivals when the opportunity arises, as well as buy these productions when they are on sale, or even contribute to fundraising.
Volunteering can also be a good option. “Volunteering for a production can be very enriching for both producers and volunteers. And you don’t have to volunteer just for filming. There’s a lot to do in post-production, promotion and everything else. Any help. it is appreciated always very welcome,” says Sihan.
“By supporting guerrilla cinema, you are supporting a multiplicity of voices and perspectives and helping to create a space for stories that often go ignored,” he adds.
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Source: Terra
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
