9.2 Third Cinema: films from and about the Global South

Third Cinema emerged in the 1960s as a revolutionary film movement from the Global South. It challenged Hollywood and European cinema traditions, focusing on the experiences and struggles of marginalized communities in developing nations.

These films prioritized political engagement over entertainment, using documentary-like aesthetics and non-linear narratives. Third Cinema aimed to raise awareness about social issues, critique colonialism, and inspire revolutionary action among oppressed peoples.

Third Cinema's Historical Context

Emergence and Influences

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• Third Cinema emerged in the 1960s and 1970s as a response to the neocolonial and imperialist power structures that dominated the global film industry and marginalized the voices and experiences of people in the Global South
• The term "Third Cinema" was coined by Argentine filmmakers Fernando Solanas and Octavio Getino in their 1969 manifesto "Toward a Third Cinema," which called for a new kind of politically engaged, revolutionary filmmaking
• Third Cinema was influenced by the anti-colonial and anti-imperialist struggles of the time (Cuban Revolution, Algerian War of Independence, Vietnam War)

Challenging Dominant Cinema Traditions

• Third Cinema filmmakers sought to challenge the dominant Hollywood and European art cinema traditions, which they saw as perpetuating colonial and capitalist ideologies
• These filmmakers aimed to create a cinema that prioritized the experiences, struggles, and aspirations of the people in the Global South, rather than catering to the tastes and interests of Western audiences

Third Cinema's Characteristics

Political and Social Engagement

• Third Cinema films prioritize social and political engagement over commercial entertainment or artistic experimentation
• These films often employ a documentary-like aesthetic, using non-professional actors, location shooting, and a focus on the everyday lives and struggles of marginalized communities
• Third Cinema films frequently incorporate elements of political agitation and propaganda, seeking to raise awareness about social issues and inspire revolutionary action

Challenging Cinematic Conventions

• Many Third Cinema films reject linear narrative structures and instead use episodic, fragmented, or dialectical forms to challenge dominant cinematic conventions and encourage critical thinking
• These films often experiment with form and style to create a more politically engaged and subversive cinema
• Third Cinema filmmakers often work collectively and collaboratively, eschewing the notion of the individual auteur in favor of a more democratic and participatory mode of production

Social Justice in Third Cinema

Representing Marginalized Communities

• Third Cinema films often focus on the experiences and struggles of working-class, indigenous, and other marginalized communities, giving voice to those who have been historically underrepresented or misrepresented in mainstream cinema
• These films aim to challenge the stereotypical and exoticized representations of the Global South that are prevalent in Western cinema
• By centering the perspectives and stories of marginalized communities, Third Cinema films seek to promote social justice and equality

Critiquing Colonialism and Imperialism

• Third Cinema films frequently critique the legacies of colonialism and imperialism, exposing the ways in which these power structures continue to shape global inequalities and injustices
• These films often explore themes of economic exploitation, political oppression, and cultural hegemony, highlighting the ways in which capitalist and imperialist systems perpetuate poverty, violence, and social marginalization
• Third Cinema films often challenge dominant Western narratives and representations, offering alternative perspectives and histories that center the experiences and knowledge of the Global South

Celebrating Resistance and Revolution

• Many Third Cinema films celebrate the resilience, resistance, and revolutionary potential of oppressed peoples, portraying their struggles for liberation and self-determination
• These films often depict the collective struggles of communities against oppressive systems and structures, rather than focusing on individual heroism or success
• By highlighting the agency and power of marginalized communities, Third Cinema films seek to inspire and mobilize audiences towards social and political change

Third Cinema vs Other Movements

Distinguishing from First and Second Cinema

• Third Cinema can be distinguished from First Cinema (Hollywood) and Second Cinema (European art cinema) in its explicit political commitment and its rejection of commercial and aesthetic conventions
• While First and Second Cinema often prioritize entertainment value, artistic expression, or auteur vision, Third Cinema places political and social engagement at the forefront

Similarities and Differences with Other Political Cinemas

• While Third Cinema shares some similarities with other politically engaged film movements (Soviet montage cinema, Italian Neorealism), it is unique in its focus on the specific experiences and struggles of the Global South
• Third Cinema filmmakers often drew inspiration from other anti-colonial and revolutionary cultural movements (Latin American magical realism, African Négritude, Black Arts Movement in the United States)

Critiques and Legacy

• Some critics have argued that Third Cinema's emphasis on political didacticism and collective production can limit its artistic and expressive possibilities, while others see these characteristics as essential to its revolutionary potential
• As the global film industry has become increasingly transnational and diverse, the legacy of Third Cinema can be seen in the work of filmmakers from the Global South who continue to use cinema as a tool for social and political critique, even as they experiment with new forms and aesthetics