Contemporary Peruvian Cinema: History, Identity and Violence on Screen

The political violence that erupted near the end of the 20th century between the Peruvian state and militant group Shining Path left an indelible mark of trauma on the country that resonates even today. This study explores representations of the insurgency on screen, and asks what these tell us about the relationship between state, fiction cinema and identity in Peru. The book provides in-depth analyses of many of the pivotal films from the 1980s through to the present day that interpret landmark characters and events that destabilised the entire nation. Setting the films in the context of turbulent transition for society and cinema in Peru - addressing developments in film policy and production - it reveals the various attempts by filmmakers to reflect, shape, define and contest the fragile and uncertain identity of such a fractured population. By interrogating themes such as memory, trauma and cultural responses to terrorism, chapters explore local perceptions of nationhood, and highlight global perspectives and links to cinematic movements across Latin America and beyond. Featuring discussions of the powerful work of filmmakers such as Francisco Lombardi, Nilo Pereira del Mar, Marianne Eyde, Alberto Durant, Augusto Tamayo, Claudia Llosa, Joel Calero, Rosario García-Montero and Josué Méndez, this detailed investigation of the growing success and political importance of the industry's output traces the complexities of modern Peruvian history.