The cluster is an interdisciplinary group of BGSU faculty members committed to developing opportunities to learn about Latin America and Latinos in the United States. Our group is a Research Cluster in BGSU's Institute for the Study of Culture and Society (ICS). We meet periodically to discuss scholarly work, and organize events with invited guests.

The Institute for the Study of Culture and Society’s Latin American and Latina/o Studies Cluster
Presents

Human Rights in Latin America Film Series

Monday, October 26, 2009 - 4:00 p.m. - BTSU Theatre (Rm. 206)

Event # 1 - Screening of Paisito (Small Country) - In Spanish with English Subtitles

Followed by a Conversation with Award Winning Screenwriter and Actor, Ricardo Fernández Blanco
BTSU Theatre (Rm. 206) - Reception to Follow

War, Love, Exile....and Soccer
When Uruguayan soccer player Xavi steps outside of Uruguay, his Paisito or small country, for the first time, he runs into his childhood friend, Rosana.
Between love and hate, she has spent twenty years in Spain waiting for Xavi to explain what she remembers of Uruguay in 1973 where nothing could hide people's discontent, politicians' deep-rooted corruption, the "tupamaros" (national liberation movement), the military police, or the coup d’état people knew was about to happen.

Ricardo Fernández Blanco 

Received the prestigious screenwriting award, Premio Julio Alejandro de guión de cine, for Paisito. He has written and staged several plays including La cárcel de Carabanchel. In addition to acting on stages in the United States, Spain, France, and Morocco, he has also published a book of poetry entitled Si Paso de los Toros fuera Memphis (Ed. Integrarte, Uruguay).

Event # 2 - Screening of The Disappeared

Wednesday, October 28, 2009
BTSU 314
4:00 p.m.

This documentary follows Horacio Pietragalla, the son of a disappeared couple, as he tries to learn about his biological family’s history. Born during Argentina’s “Dirty War” (1976-1983), Horacio discovers that the woman who raised him was the maid of a high military officer involved in his family’s kidnapping. Director/Writer Peter Sanders interviews concentration camp victims, human rights activists, and journalists who covered the events, as well as members of Horacio's surrogate and biological families. In addition, the film includes archival footage about the military dictatorship and original new interviews of top military officers involved in the “Dirty War.”

Past Events: 

We are thrilled to announce the organization of the first "Latin American and Latino/a Studies Conference" presenting the scholarship of BGSU community members. Please click here for the program.