Struggles for Recognition: Melodrama and Visibility in Latin American Silent Film

Struggles for Recognition explores how melodrama visualized and shaped the social arena of urban modernity in early twentieth-century Latin America, mobilized for both liberal and illiberal ends, revealing or concealing social inequities from Buenos Aires to Bogotá to Los Angeles.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 266 pages
Publication date: 16 March 2021
Publisher: University of California Press

Struggles for Recognition delves into the captivating origins of melodrama in Latin American silent film and the rich tapestry of silent film culture that emerged in the early 20th century. Juan Sebastián Ospina León, a scholar of remarkable expertise, has conducted extensive archival research to unveil the profound ways in which melodrama visualized and molded the social landscape of urban modernity in Latin America during this transformative era. Through the lens of film analysis, this groundbreaking book explores the multifaceted ways in which melodrama was harnessed for both liberal and illiberal purposes, shedding light on the hidden realities of society from bustling Buenos Aires to vibrant Bogotá to the bustling streets of Los Angeles. Ospina León's critical engagement with Euro-American and Latin American scholarship, which is rarely brought together, offers a novel and insightful theorization of melodrama that resonates with scholars working within and across diverse national contexts. This captivating work not only sheds light on the historical significance of melodrama but also provides valuable insights into the complex interplay between cinema, society, and power dynamics, making it a must-read for anyone interested in the rich and evolving world of silent film and its enduring impact.

Weight: 372g
Dimension: 152 x 229 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780520305434