PORT20200 Migration and Displacement in Portuguese-language global cinema

Academic Year 2024/2025

In recent decades, representations of migration, displacement, and diasporic experiences have acquired a relevant position in cinematographic narratives. Despite various classifications and denominations that have been assigned to this cinema (e.g. “migrant cinema”, “diasporic cinema”, “accented cinema”) they all converge to the fact that most films are starred by characters on the move, in the process of migration, in search of exile, land, space, a new home.
This module aims to explore the various ways in which migration and displacement have been represented at different times in Portuguese-language cinemas. Through the examination of films from Portugal, Brazil, Cape-Verde, Mozambique, and other Portuguese-speaking regions, students will analyse the complex narratives that emerge from the experiences of migration, diaspora, and displacement undertaken by Euro- and Afro-Brazilians, as well as other migrants within the Portuguese-speaking world. The module will also focus on how journey narratives negotiate the colonial past and the relationship between Portugal and former colonial territories through the study of a wide variety of films, spanning the 20th and 21st centuries. Therefore, our examination will also explore the socio-historical context in which the films were produced and the social and cultural discourses they engage with and challenge.

Show/hide contentOpenClose All

Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:


Learning Outcomes
1. To develop an in-depth knowledge of different cinematic narratives and representations of migration and displacement in the Portuguese-speaking world.
2. To compare and contrast different modes of cinematic representations in relation to theories related to displacement and migration.
3. To understand the historical factors that have led to migration and displacement within Portuguese-speaking communities, including colonial legacies, political upheavals, and economic challenges.
4. To analyse cinema in relation to specific social, historical and political issues related to migration, shedding light on issues such as racism, xenophobia, and the politics of belonging.
5. To develop critical thinking skills, and gain insights into the broader global discourse on migration and displacement.

Indicative Module Content:

Indicative Module Content:
• Backlands and internal migrations: Vidas Secas (Barren Lives, dir. Nelson Pereira dos Santos 1963); Central do Brasil (Central Station, dir. Walter Salles, 1993)
• Rural migrants in the city (Lisbon): Os Verdes Anos (The Green Years, dir. Paulo Rocha, 1963)
• Brazilian immigration and integration in Portugal: Terra Estrangeira (Foreign Land, dir. Walter Salles and Daniela Thomas, 1996).
• Global migrations, borders and belonging: Lisboetas (Lisboners, dir. Sérgio Tréfaut, 2004); Viagem a Portugal (Journey to Portugal, dir. Sergio Tréfaut, 2011)
• Representation of Cape-Verdean immigrants in the films of Pedro Costa
• Asian Destinations: A Ultima vez que vi Macau (The last Time I saw Macau, dir. João Pedro Rodrigues, 2012); Hotel Império (Empire Hotel, dir. Ivo Ferreira, 2018)
• The challenges of place and home in Postcolonial contemporary Portugal: Outros Bairros (dir. Inês Gonçalves, Kiluanje Liberdade, Vasco Pimentel, 1998); Baan (Home, Leonor Teles, 2023)

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24
Specified Learning Activities

34
Autonomous Student Learning

52
Total

110
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
This module will be delivered face-to-face through two lectures, seminars, or workshops per week. Students will be expected to watch films and/or set scenes from the films ahead of class, to prepare questions and read secondary sources for seminars, and to participate actively in discussions. The summative assessment has two components: a scene analysis (40%) and a final essay (60%). Formative works and activities will be set as practice for these assessments, with feedback provided by the module coordinator. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Incompatibles:
PORT30210 - Portuguese-Language Cinema


 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Assignment(Including Essay): Assignment: Analyse a 3-5 minutes scene focusing on the ways in which it visually narrates a story, conveys or subvert ideas (minimum 750 words) Week 7 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No

40

 No
Assignment(Including Essay): Essay: Answer one of the set essay questions about one (or more) of the core films studied (minimum 2,000 words) Week 14 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No

60

 No

Carry forward of passed components
No
 
Remediation Type Remediation Timing
In-Module Resit Prior to relevant Programme Exam Board
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.