Topographies of 'Borderland Schengen' - Documental Images of Undocumented Migration in European Borderlands

Jan Kühnemund investigates the interface between migration discourses and image discourses in recent documentary films about undocumented migration at the Schengen Area's fringes. He conceptualizes "Borderland Schengen" as a visual-political transnational space emerging from the interplay of migration movements and border policies, and reads the films as attempts at discursive participation as an aesthetic political practice.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 292 pages
Publication date: 08 December 2021
Publisher: Transcript Verlag

Analysing recent documentary films dealing with undocumented migration at the Schengen Area's fringes and against the backdrop of what has been termed the 'European refugee crisis,' Jan Kühnemund investigates the interface between migration discourses and image discourses. As an analytical framework, he conceptualises 'Borderland Schengen' as a visual-political transnational space emerging from the interplay of migration movements and border policies. Putting the spaces and iconologies of 'illegal migration under scrutiny and aiming at establishing their protagonists as subjects, Kühnemund in this regard reads the films as attempts at discursive participation as an aesthetic political practice.

Kühnemund's analysis centres on the ways in which these films depict and represent the experiences of undocumented migrants, particularly those who are living in precarious conditions at the margins of the Schengen Area. He examines the ways in which these films use visual and narrative techniques to convey the emotional and physical toll of migration, as well as the challenges and struggles faced by migrants in their search for safety and a better life.

One of the key themes that Kühnemund explores is the construction of borders and the role that they play in shaping the experiences of undocumented migrants. He argues that borders are not merely physical barriers, but also symbolic and political constructs that are used to control and regulate migration flows. By examining the ways in which borders are portrayed in these films, Kühnemund highlights the ways in which they are used to marginalise and exclude migrants, as well as the ways in which they are contested and challenged by those who are affected by them.

Another theme that Kühnemund explores is the role of media and popular culture in shaping perceptions and attitudes towards undocumented migration. He argues that media representations of migrants often perpetuate stereotypes and prejudices, which can have serious consequences for the lives of those who are portrayed. By examining the ways in which media and popular culture are used to frame the debate around undocumented migration, Kühnemund highlights the need for more nuanced and empathetic representations of migrants.

Kühnemund's analysis also highlights the importance of narrative and storytelling in shaping the experiences of undocumented migrants. He argues that narratives can provide a powerful means of expressing and exploring the complexities of migration, as well as the emotional and psychological toll that it can take on individuals. By examining the ways in which narratives are used in these films, Kühnemund highlights the ways in which they can be used to promote empathy and understanding, as well as to challenge dominant narratives and power structures.

Overall, Kühnemund's analysis provides a valuable contribution to the study of undocumented migration and the role that media and popular culture play in shaping perceptions and attitudes towards it. By examining the ways in which these films depict and represent the experiences of undocumented migrants, Kühnemund highlights the need for more nuanced and empathetic representations of migrants, as well as the ways in which media and popular culture can be used to promote understanding and challenge dominant narratives and power structures.

Weight: 666g
Dimension: 226 x 147 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783837642087