The representation of caipira women in Brazilian cinema: Amélia (2000), by Ana Carolina, and A Hidden Life (2001), by Suzana Amaral

Abstract

This research aims to analyse the construction of the character of women living in rural areas in Brazilian cinema, depicted in films such as Amélia (2000), directed by Ana Carolina, and A Hidden Life (2001), directed by Suzana Amaral. The portrait of rural culture, known as "caipira", is a recurrent theme in Brazilian cinema, as exemplified by the actor and producer Amácio Mazzaropi and his famous character in the decade of 1960, or else in A Marvada Carne (1985) by André Klotzel. Between 1995 and 2005, period known as a Renaissance of Brazilian cinema, the references to Brazilian traditional rural culture return, personified in women protagonists in Amélia and A Hidden Life. We intent to analyse this representation in order to verify if the characters of caipira women stand for an analogy of national identity. We also seek to reveal conections between the caipira subject in films by women filmmakers and by Amácio Mazzaropi, in relation to intermidiality with others arts, such as literature, painting and theatre. Hence, we propose the study of mise-en-scène having filmic analysis and historical and social analysis as a methodology, as to examine the historical periodicization of the films in the beginning of the XXth century, and also in the first years of the XXIth century, when the participation of Brazilian women directors intensifies. (AU)