Magical Realism: Embracing the Absurdity of Latin America | Andrés Hermida | TEDxColegioBolivar
Summary
TLDRThe 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
🎬 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.
📚 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.
🌟 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.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Short films
💡Absurdity
💡Perfection
💡Magical realism
💡Cali
💡Cultural identity
💡Colonialism
💡Social media
💡Catharsis
💡Displacement
💡Authenticity
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
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