Magical Realism: Embracing the Absurdity of Latin America | Andrés Hermida | TEDxColegioBolivar

Summary

The speaker reflects on the power of film to capture the essence of life, particularly in Colombia. They discuss the importance of embracing local culture and the unique blend of indigenous magic and colonial structure in Latin American storytelling. The narrative highlights the influence of magical realism in literature and film, drawing from the works of Latin American writers like Gabriel Garcia Marquez. The speaker critiques the tendency of Colombian filmmakers to imitate American culture, advocating instead for a more authentic representation of their own experiences and the absurdity of their surroundings.

Takeaways

• 🎬 The speaker began making short films at 14 with their sister, focusing on themes of self-discovery and the absurdity of perfection.
• 📽️ Attended a director chat screening in Cali, Colombia, where they saw a documentary by Luis Opa about art and culture during the 80s, highlighting the 'cwood' art movement.
• 🤔 Noted the peculiarity of Colombian filmmakers copying U.S. culture and problems, which results in an unnatural and forced aesthetic.
• 🌍 Suggested that embracing local culture and its chaos can lead to more authentic and fresh storytelling, with magical realism reflecting the true Latin experience.
• 🏰 Discussed the historical influence of colonial structures and indigenous magic on Latin American culture, contributing to a unique cultural identity.
• 📚 Magical realism originated in the mid-20th century as a literary movement, with writers like Jorge Luis Borges and Gabriel Garcia Marquez exploring the absurd and magical aspects of Latin culture.
• 🎭 The 'cwood' movement in Cali was inspired by international films and represented an escape from the harsh realities of 80s Colombia, using art as a form of catharsis.
• 🎨 Emphasized the importance of Colombian filmmakers focusing on local stories with a taste of absurdity and magical realism to reflect the true essence of Latin culture.
• 🌐 Critiqued the impact of social media and technology on Latin culture, suggesting it leads to an Americanized form that lacks authenticity.
• 👥 Highlighted the struggles and absurd conditions faced by the general public in Colombia, which can provide rich material for authentic storytelling.
• 💡 Concluded with the idea that embracing one's culture and history is crucial for artists, urging them to look beyond superficial influences and tap into the 'real magic' of their surroundings.

Q & A

What was the motivation behind the speaker and their sister making short films at the age of 14?

The motivation was to encapsulate their time and create movies about struggling to find one's art, understanding personality, the absurdity of perfection, and finding oneself within one's sins.

What did the speaker find fascinating about filmmaking?

The speaker is fascinated by the ability to use a camera to manipulate movement, surroundings, and help tell a story.

What was the main theme of the documentary the speaker saw at the director chat screening in Cali, Colombia?

The documentary was an exploration of art, culture during the 80s, focusing on art and the problems that occurred during that time.

What is the 'cwood' art movement mentioned in the script?

The 'cwood' art movement is a generation known for its unique approach to art and filmmaking, which includes Luis Opa, the director of the documentary the speaker saw.

Why does the speaker believe Colombian filmmakers should not copy the culture and problems of the United States?

Copying the culture and problems of the United States leads to an artificial and forced aesthetic that is not natural or real for Colombian culture.

What are the two major aspects that the speaker believes influence Latin filmmaking?

The two major aspects are the structure brought by colonizers and the magic that comes from indigenous tribes, which together create a unique mixture.

How does the speaker describe the impact of social media on the perception of reality in Latin America?

The speaker suggests that an over-reliance on social media can make Latin people perceive things as less odd, as it shapes their cultural understanding.

What is magical realism, and how does it relate to Latin American culture according to the script?

Magical realism is a literary movement that started in the mid-20th century, focusing on the absurdity and magic within Latin culture. It is characterized by stories that are irrational yet could plausibly happen, reflecting the unique problems and history of the region.

What is the significance of the 'D' start movement in the context of Colombian film culture in the 80s?

The 'D' start movement was a film club in Cali that showed international movies, inspiring local directors to create films with a taste of Colombian culture and absurdity, as an escape from the country's problems during that era.

How does the speaker connect the struggles within Colombia to the creation of art?

The speaker connects the struggles within Colombia to art by suggesting that artists transform their emotions and pain into catharsis through creative expression, drawing inspiration from the history and ambient struggles.

What advice does the speaker give to artists and filmmakers about embracing their culture?

The speaker advises artists and filmmakers to embrace their culture, understand their origins, and create stories around their setting and actual events, rather than denying or copying foreign cultures.

Outlines

00:00

🎬 The Passion for Film and Colombian Art

This paragraph introduces the speaker's early interest in filmmaking at the age of 14, alongside their sister, focusing on themes of self-discovery and the absurdity of perfection. The speaker attended a director chat screening in Cali, Colombia, where they watched a documentary by Luis Opa about art and culture in the 80s. The speaker was intrigued by the peculiarity of Colombian stories and their focus on the absurd. They discussed the differences in filmmaking between the U.S. and Colombia, noting that Colombian filmmakers often imitate U.S. culture, which can result in a forced and unnatural aesthetic. The speaker advocates for a more authentic approach to Colombian filmmaking that embraces the culture's inherent magical realism and chaos.

05:02

📚 Magical Realism and the Influence of History

The speaker delves into the concept of magical realism, which originated in the mid-20th century from Latin American writers like Jorge Luis Borges and Gabriel García Márquez. These authors highlighted the absurdity and magic within Latin culture through stories that blend the fantastical with the real. The paragraph discusses how magical realism has also been explored in film, particularly by the 'Caliwood' movement of the 80s in Colombia, which was a response to the social and political issues of the time. The filmmakers of this era used art as a form of catharsis, transforming the pain of their surroundings into creative expression. The speaker also mentions specific examples of how Colombian culture has been shaped by history, such as the creation of Cumbia dance, and how the general public in Colombia still lives in a world of absurdity, untouched by social media or Americanized culture.

10:03

🌟 Embracing Culture and the Power of Authentic Storytelling

In the final paragraph, the speaker emphasizes the importance of embracing one's own culture in storytelling and filmmaking. They argue that by focusing on authentic, real-life experiences and the unique aspects of Colombian culture, artists can create more natural and engaging stories. The speaker calls for filmmakers to look beyond superficial influences and to tap into the 'real magic' of their culture. They conclude by encouraging artists to understand and accept their history, as this is the foundation for creating art that is both profound and resonant with their audience.

Keywords

💡Short films

Short films are brief cinematic narratives that tell a story in a condensed format. In the video, the speaker mentions starting to make short films at the age of 14 with their sister to encapsulate their time and explore themes such as struggling to find one's art and understanding personality. The short films served as a creative outlet to express and examine personal and societal issues.

💡Absurdity

Absurdity in this context refers to the irrational or illogical aspects of life that can be found in the stories and themes the speaker discusses. The video emphasizes the importance of acknowledging and incorporating the absurdity of life into art, as it reflects the chaotic and sometimes nonsensical reality of human experiences, as seen in the mention of the peculiar focus of stories in the documentary by Luis Opa.

💡Perfection

The concept of perfection is challenged in the video, suggesting that the pursuit of an unattainable ideal can be limiting and unrealistic. The speaker uses the term to highlight the importance of embracing the imperfections and idiosyncrasies that make art and life authentic, rather than striving for a false sense of flawlessness.

💡Magical realism

Magical realism is a narrative style that blends fantastical elements with realistic settings, often used to depict the unique cultural experiences of Latin America. The video discusses how magical realism originated in literature and was later explored in film, particularly in the context of Colombian cinema, as a means to express the absurdity and magic within Latin culture.

💡Cali

Cali is a city in Colombia known for its vibrant arts and culture scene. The video mentions a director chat screening in Cali, where the speaker watched a documentary by Luis Opa, exploring art and culture during the 80s. Cali is also the birthplace of the 'cwood' art movement, which the video discusses in relation to the evolution of Colombian filmmaking.

💡Cultural identity

Cultural identity refers to the unique characteristics and values that define a group or society. The video emphasizes the importance of embracing one's cultural identity in art and filmmaking, criticizing the tendency of Colombian filmmakers to imitate American culture rather than exploring their own rich and diverse cultural heritage.

💡Colonialism

Colonialism is the policy or practice of acquiring full or partial control over another country, occupying it with settlers, and exploiting it economically. In the video, colonialism is discussed as a historical factor that has influenced the structure and magic in Latin American culture, shaping the region's unique blend of indigenous magic and colonizer-imposed structure.

💡Social media

Social media is mentioned in the video as a modern influence that can shape culture and perceptions, potentially leading to an Americanized form of culture. The speaker argues that an over-reliance on social media can detract from the authenticity and originality of local culture, urging artists to look beyond these superficial influences.

💡Catharsis

Catharsis is the process of releasing, and providing relief from, strong or repressed emotions. The video describes art as a form of catharsis, where artists transform their emotions and experiences, particularly those related to pain and struggle, into creative expressions that can provide emotional release for both the artist and the audience.

💡Displacement

Displacement refers to the forced movement of people from their homes, often due to conflict or disaster. The video discusses the plight of displaced people in Colombia, such as those affected by the Mocoa landslide, and how art can serve as a means of survival and expression in the face of such adversity.

💡Authenticity

Authenticity in the context of the video refers to the genuine and true reflection of one's culture, experiences, and emotions in art. The speaker advocates for Colombian filmmakers to create art that is authentic to their own culture, rather than copying or imitating foreign styles, to produce work that is more natural, relatable, and impactful.

Highlights

At 14, the speaker and their sister began making short films to encapsulate their time and explore themes of art, personality, and the absurdity of perfection.

The speaker is driven by the power of film to manipulate movement and surroundings to tell a desired story.

A documentary by director Luis Opa explored art and culture in Colombia during the 80s, focusing on the limitations of resources and embracing problems of the time.

Luis Opa was part of the 'cwood arted movement', which had a unique approach to storytelling, often focusing on the absurd.

The speaker noticed a difference in filmmaking between the U.S. and Colombia, with the former being more technically centered.

Colombian filmmakers often copy U.S. culture and problems, leading to an unnatural and forced aesthetic.

The speaker argues that Colombian filmmaking should embrace its own culture's absurdity, beauty, and chaos for more authentic storytelling.

Latin American culture has a unique blend of structure from colonial times and magic from indigenous traditions.

Social media and technology are shaping a more Americanized culture, impacting how Latin people perceive the world.

Magical realism, a literary movement from the mid-20th century, is characterized by the absurd and magical aspects of Latin culture.

Cwood was part of the 'D start movement' of the 80s in Cali, inspired by international films and a response to Colombia's social issues.

Filmmakers of the time used art to transform the pain of social issues into a form of catharsis.

The speaker emphasizes the importance of embracing one's culture and history in art and storytelling.

Colombian culture offers a rich source of inspiration for storytelling, with its own unique problems and history.

The speaker calls for filmmakers to look beyond superficial influences and embrace the 'real magic' of their culture.

The general public in Colombia lives in a world of absurdity, providing a rich backdrop for authentic storytelling.

The speaker concludes by urging artists to stop looking at superficial influences and start feeling the real magic of their culture.

Transcripts

[Music]

I want to tell you guys a story so I was

14 when my sister and I started making

short films because we wanted to

encapsulate our time not just to view

others we made movies about struggling

to find their art about H understanding

your personality and the absurdity of

perfection about finding oneself within

your

sins I am driven by film by just how

fascinating it is to use a camera to

manipulate movement your surroundings

and help you tell a story you wish to

tell at the beginning of the year I went

to a director chat screening in the

laulia here in Cali

Colombia um and the documentary that I

saw H was made by director Luis Opa and

it's it was an exploration of kis art

culture during the

80s um it was all about art and all they

had at the time so at the same time it

was like an Embrace of all the problems

that happened and luiso was in fact part

of the generation known as the cwood

arted movement I noticed something

peculiar these stories they used to

focus on were extremely absurd

they were

weird at the end lisp appeared for the

conversatory and I asked about his

education about anecdotes with

artist and the differences in working

films in the United States and here in

Colombia which he expressed that in

United States there was a unique

technicality of filming it was way more

centered in itself that what Colombian

film making is lisina also said that the

stereotypical Colombian filmmaker tries

to copy what culture in the United

States is or what problems in United

States are what's wrong with that is

that they make their own version of

those exact same problems reaching an

aesthetic which is in fact not natural

nor real this happens because we don't

live on that exact same culture making

it seem forced and an original as the

themes start to revolve around basic

cliche

subjects that's the biggest problem with

Colombian film making it ignores the

absurdity the beauty the chaos in which

people in their own culture live in when

you place a character to live in a Latin

world that surrounds them instead of

that some artificial overused binal form

of approaching a setting then you will

find the aspects of magical realism of

the craziness where the people of col

colia and the Latin culture is projected

where the stories seem real and fresh

and

natural in a way the Latin people could

be considered to depend on two major

aspects for their film making since the

since the making during the colonial

times first there's a

structure which was brought by the

colonizers and then there's the magic

that comes from the indigenous strives

and adds up to that

mixture magic has always been the aspect

that explains the absurdity of beliefs

behaviors and actions while the

structure comes from copying other

cultures which nowadays could be imposed

as social media and the way technology

shapes the world virtually into a more

Americanized form of

culture so if you find Latin people

whose life often depends more on a

social media you can understand why they

wouldn't find things as

odd if you find the people who have more

problems in Latin America you will

understand how them being impacted by

actions will make them believe that

whatever they're experiencing is more

natural than what they think and in a

certain

perspective they are actually leaving a

form of magical Rel

realism magical realism started off in

the mid 20th century as a literary

Movement by Latin American Writers such

as it was Jorge Luiz bores Pablo nuda

and Gabriel Garcia Marquez these writers

focused on the absurdity and Magic that

lies within her Latin culture they wrote

stories which are all fascinating and

irrational stories that could actually

happen to people an Old Man With

Enormous Wings washes upon a beach

characters are confined to a

never-ending library and others just

chat with themselves from an earlier

time these stories capture The

Melancholy the abstract and the

delusional state of one's mind showing

that Latin American culture encompasses

unique types of problems From the Ashes

of

colonization distinguishing Itself by

the unbelievable

and sometimes horrific stories that are

now

normalized throughout the absurdity of

History we can find that culture has

been shaped by the things that happen

the way Kumbia was created for example

as a popular dance is based on the

Masters asking their slaves to dance

with a limited movement caused by the

chains in their feet they I there to say

isn't that just

shocking

however magical realism was explored in

film as well cwood was part of the D

start movement of the 80s who started

off by a film club created by Andres Kao

a famous writer from Cali who showed

International movies from European art

house directors eventually the film

culture in Cali started to grow as

directors were inspired by those

International films as an escape from

the pro s of Colombia in the 80s the

drugs Pao esar the geras the corruption

the murders the illiteracy the

kidnapping thus it became the moment

where artists looked upon the issues at

the time and trying to find new ways to

shift their minds

away it was a form of transforming

emotion of pain into the catharsis of

the Soul through

ART for example the mockumentary

grabbing town satz and manipulation of

the media by having a shot within a shot

as one perspective was an interview from

a real person and another one was the

dramatization of a director telling the

real person what to say and how to act

showing that the people were not

actually as miserable as they might look

but how the media can manipulate

emotions the filmmakers at the time

focused on Colombian stories with

Colombian culture and with that taste of

absurdity that is there in the Latin

world and magical

realism these artists have shaped their

minds into a state where abnormal

situations start to become more normal

than what they actually are and the

expression of those thoughts is what

makes art be art inspired by

history and art inspiration can come

from the struggles that happen within

our ambient in Colombia we still find

the Troubles of geras we still have

puberty displaced people we still have

National tragedies like the mod

Avalanche in mcoa I remember my father

telling me how he went to armo after the

tragedy it was for an architecture

project and he said the most shocking

thing about the place was the

silence

feelings such as being struck by silence

it what fills one soul and calls out for

a form of expression despite the art

from from a film to a painting to a song

to whatever you can call as a form of

catharsis that's the way art is

processed a problem enters one's mind

and shapes within it to come out as a

creation meanwhile what could be

considered as the general public of

Colombia you find they still live in a

world of

absurdity they are not living based on

social media nor an Americanized culture

you can even go deeper into the people

under absurd conditions for example some

of the displaced people from mcoa have

been drawn in a literal position of life

and death with no place to sleep with

family members being crushed to death

with all their possessions gone and

having to depend on cultural work in

order to

survive maybe having to do something

like I don't know cutting sugar canes to

go to a bakery and buy some

Pono when Garcia Marquez spoke about

returning to Colombia after living

abroad he mentioned the most important

idea that all

artists have to take into account is

that culture needs to be embraced not

denied one must understand their origins

or as Albert Kami once said accept your

history if you're willing to make your

stories around your setting and what you

have and what actual things happen which

you could then

Express then you're not just going to

find a more natural film or story but

you will also find what to talk about

and the truth that lays there it's not

something artificial it's not something

Americanized or forced to be made up

with anal aesthetic it will be something

that comes way more natural something

that happened to your aunt or your

grandfather it will be in fact something

that you could see with your bare

eyes we as filmmakers and artist living

right now in a more Str structural World

dragged by technology social media and

the lack of our own culture we have to

look at what's in front of us we have an

amazing culture let's stop looking at

the superficial and start feeling the

real magic thank

you