Rent from DeepDyve- Picturing Argentina: Myths, Movies, and the Peronist Vision by Currie K. Thompson
Currie Thompson explores the relationship between what is imaginary versus what is real in Picturing Argentina. Thompson, a professor of Spanish at Ghettysburg College, reflects on the perception of realistic or fictional images considered norm within Argentine film. The time period focuses on movies made during primer peronismo, which includes Juan Domingo Perón’s governing junta (1943–1945) through his first two terms as Argentine President (1946–1955).
Thompson employs Roland Barthes’s ‘prism of myth’ theory, which stresses that communication builds on previous chains of meaning depicted through visual means such as photography, cinema, sport, and publicity. Myths portrayed as inherent, natural ways of behavior teach the public/audience social mores of comportment.
Argentine cinema created during primer peronismo characterizes the clash between evolution, stasis, change, and continuity. Picturing Argentina provides examples regarding treatment of gender in which some gender myths are subverted through humor and staging of admirable strong women in traditionally male professions. The gender issue is further developed in movies about maternity, revealing the sacrifices of mothers for their children. Constructs of masculinity analyze the role of the father as well as the formation of boys into men, thus equating masculinity with competition whether through sports or soldiering.
Additionally Thompson addresses stereotypical (non)understanding of race, ethnicity, immigration, and adaptation of ‘the other’ into Argentine life. He posits culpability and innocence in police/detective films which also praise the regime and thus Perón’s governance. Finally, he mentions filmmaker’s critiques of Argentine society which try to debunk Argentina as myth and present a realistic picture of Argentina.
