Slum Imaginaries and Spatial Justice in Philippine Cinema

Slum Imaginaries and Spatial Justice in Philippine Cinema is a book that examines contemporary examples of Philippine urban cinema from the 2000s and combines approaches from various fields, including human geography, to analyse narrative and genre formation in films that dialogue with the slum setting. It contributes to transnational cinema studies through its focus on Philippine urban cinema, which is situated within the larger subject of global urban poverty and development. The book formulates the theory of the slum chronotope as a theoretical tool to analyse narrative and genre formation in films that dialogue with Manila's slum imaginaries and makes the case for Philippine urban cinema and Philippine urban history as a significant vantage point from which to understand imaginaries of spatial justice.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 06 February 2023
Publisher: Edinburgh University Press

Slum Imaginaries and Spatial Justice in Philippine Cinema is a groundbreaking work that delves into the realm of contemporary Philippine urban cinema from the 2000s. It offers a comprehensive analysis of the films that engage with the slum setting, employing a theoretical framework called the slum chronotope. This approach combines insights from various fields, including human geography, to explore the spatial representations of social justice and injustice in these films. By examining the rise of Philippine slums alongside the historical development of Philippine urban cinema, the book makes a novel contribution to the cinema-city nexus. It formulates the slum chronotope as a theoretical tool to analyze narrative and genre formation in films that dialogue with Manila's slum imaginaries. Moreover, it advocates for Philippine urban cinema and Philippine urban history as significant vantage points from which to understand imaginaries of spatial justice.

The book is rich in case studies, ranging from The Blossoming of Maximo Oliveros (2005) to Respeto (2017). These case studies provide valuable insights into the ways in which films engage with the complexities of slum life, challenging dominant narratives and promoting alternative perspectives. Through its interdisciplinary framework of film studies and human geography, Slum Imaginaries and Spatial Justice in Philippine Cinema offers a fresh and insightful perspective on the role of cinema in shaping perceptions of urban spaces and promoting social change.

In conclusion, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in contemporary Philippine cinema, urban studies, and the intersection of film and geography. It provides a comprehensive and interdisciplinary analysis of the slum chronotope, shedding light on the ways in which films negotiate the complexities of slum life and contribute to the broader discourse on spatial justice. By examining the unique subject of Philippine urban cinema within the larger context of global urban poverty and development, the book offers valuable insights into the ways in which cinema can be used as a tool for promoting social change and understanding the world.

Weight: 342g
Dimension: 155 x 233 x 14 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781474451901