María del Mar Sánchez Bernal

• Cinematic Landscapes as Constructors and Disruptors of Societal Norms and Values. Case Studies of Roma (2018) and Güeros (2014)
• Tutor(s): Gregor Taul
• Essay-pdf
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This thesis is an analysis about how cinematic landscapes act as a window to understand Mexican culture, history and society, by analyzing the films Roma (2018) and Güeros (2014). To do this, the research follows the theories and studies of the subfield film of geography, such as the film geography continuum, and semiotic approach to read landscapes. The goal is to demonstrate or negate that cinematic landscapes can create, mould and modify preconceived societal ideas, values and roles of Mexico. This, because the landscapes in the films explore racial, social and political situations that give Mexicans a determined identity. Both Roma and Güeros leave behind Hollywood conventionalisms, although containing the constraints of the author’s own experiences and perceptions, in an attempt to portray Mexico and its society as accurately as possible. As such, it is through landscape that the plot and characters can convey a different image from the standard cinematic depiction of Mexicans, which may break existing stereotypes, and create new conceptualizations.