Amos Vogel considers that “death remains the one last taboo in Cinema” (1980, p. 78). While the body, sex, and even pornography “on demand” are exposed in cinema, death possesses a “ferocious reality” (Vogel, 1980, p. 78) which challenges our dream-like desire for immortality. Death and its representation on screen poses a problematic and crucial question about human existence and our place in the world and, therefore, becomes challenging to grasp in images and sounds. Such distress is particularly unsettling for documentary film, since ethics and principles of morality often lays the topic off-limits. The class “Death and Documentary” challenges the participants to find creative and sensitive approaches to death, understanding this concept comprehensively and not merely literally. Death can be seen as part of a process and not necessarily an end; it can be revealed through our daily lives in small gestures and/or events and as a factor of change. The films presented in this screening approach e/immigration, memories, recollection; through sounds and images, they challenge us to think about our place in the world and our relationship with any process of restarting.

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Second hand stories

Stories of migration resonate in the landscape of a small portuguese village, where second-hand memories about my grandfather are retold. A journey by foot took him to another country (France) and those memories were never told by him to me. Without letters or photographs of that time, I look for glimpses and answers about why he left on that turbulent voyage.

Direction: Anna Almeida

Production: course Death and Documentary / Universidade da Maia - ISMAI

Portugal | 0:07:57 | 2021 | Color; Documentary / Experimental.

Sense of Belonging

Three immigrant siblings look back at their time in their home country Peru and talk about the emotions and cultural changes they experienced as time went by in their new country.

Direction: Elisa Melendez & Diana Shao

Production: course Death and Documentary / RTF - UT Austin

EUA | 0:06:30 | 2021 | Color; Documentary / Animation.

Wela

A former child field worker recounts her abuse at the hands of her father.

Direction: Callysta Jalomo

Production: course Death and Documentary / RTF - UT Austin

EUA | 0:06:23 | 2021 | Color; Documentary.

When Spring Comes

A poem about death is the point of departure for existential and metaphysical reflections.

Direction: Mónica Pestana

Production: course Death and Documentary / Universidade da Maia - ISMAI

Portugal | 0:08:00 | 2021 | Color; Documentary.

Now Showing

Uma breve exploração do que foram, são e podem ser os cinemas.

Direction: Sabrina Zahir & Dillon Henry

Production: course Death and Documentary / RTF - UT Austin

EUA | 0:07:00 | 2021 | Color; Documentary.

Hecho con Amor

A look behind the scenes at the team of people who keep the fires burning at Valentina's Tex-Mex BBQ in Austin, TX.

Direction: Joseph Marks

Production: course Death and Documentary / RTF - UT Austin

EUA | 0:07:24 | 2021 | Color; Documentary.

To Examine One's Self

A comprehensive view of Gross Anatomy lessons in a Medical University through the eyes of students, teachers and staff.

Direction: Pedro Afonso

Cinematography: André Leitão

Production: curso Death and Documentary / Universidade da Maia - ISMAI

Portugal | 0:13:00 | 2021 | Color; Documentary.