Based on a True Story: Latin American History at the Movies (Latin American Silhouettes)

Combining history with discussions of dramatic cinema, Based on a True Story: Latin American History at the Movies examines how film has portrayed Latin America from the late fifteenth century to the present. The book opens with an introduction on the visual presentation of the past in the movies, while the rest of the book consists of essays that explore the best feature films on Latin America from the professional historian's perspective.Editorial ReviewsA stimulating collection of essays that will be invaluable to anyone who has ever used film in the classroom or is thinking of doing so. The selections successfully provoke readers to explore what appears on the screen as well as to consider why constructions of both history and film are shaped the way they are. A welcome and long-overdue addition to the literature, Based on a True Story is accessible to a wide audience—historians and film critics alike.- University Of Texas At Austin - Susan Deans-SmithThis excellent volume will certainly stimulate an expanded use of film in the teaching of Latin American history. Donald Stevens and the other contributors have done an extraordinary job of providing a rich and provocative text for student discussion.- Lyman L. JohnsonThis collection of essays will come as a useful guide for conducting classroom discussions about films focusing on Latin American history. The editor's choice of films is good, as are the introduction and most of the essays, which are by historians rather than researchers in the field of cinema studies. - Reseñas Combining history with discussions of dramatic cinema such as The Mission and Like Water for Chocolate, Based on a True Story: Latin American History at the Movies examines how film has portrayed Latin America from the late fifteenth century to the present. Donald F. Stevens opens the book with an introduction on the visual presentation of the past in the movies. The rest of the book consists of essays that explore the best feature films on Latin America from the professional historian's perspective. These entertaining and enlightening articles will provide readers with fresh new interpretations of their favorite films.

Combining history with discussions of dramatic cinema, Based on a True Story: Latin American History at the Movies examines how film has portrayed Latin America from the late fifteenth century to the present. The book opens with an introduction on the visual presentation of the past in the movies, while the rest of the book consists of essays that explore the best feature films on Latin America from the professional historian's perspective.

Combining history with discussions of dramatic cinema, this book examines how film has portrayed Latin America from the late fifteenth century to the present. An introduction on the visual presentation of the past in the movies sets the stage for a set of essays that explores the best feature films on Latin America from the professional historian's perspective In this collection of essays on popular feature-length movies depicting Latin American history, the authors use the appeal of film and divert it into the study of history Edited By Donald F. Stevens. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 215-239).