Afroargentines 2002
Distributed by LAVA - Latin American Video Archives, 124 Washington Place, New York, NY 10014; 212-243-4804
Produced by Filmagen Producciones and Lagartija Muda
Directed by Jorge Fortes and Diego Ceballos
VHS, color, 75 min.
Sr. High - Adult
Latin American Studies, Area Studies, Sociology, Human Rights, Political Science
Date Entered: 04/19/2004
Reviewed by Lourdes Vazquez, Rutgers UniversityThis documentary brilliantly analyzes the history of the black population in Argentina. Blacks in this region arrived as slaves destined to work as domestics and in agriculture. When the emancipation of slaves took place most of the male black population went to fight the wars of independence and the army formed them into separate battalions as another form of discrimination. The history of the black population in Argentina has been one of alienation and prejudice. Interlaced with historical photography and illustrations, film footage and interviews, this documentary (in Spanish with English subtitles) not only discuss the origins of Afroargentines but also speaks in full detail about a new African immigration. A group of Afroargentines originally from Cape Verde was interviewed as well as others from West Africa who have arrived in Argentina in the last ten years as a result of intense maritime traffic and lack of employment and opportunities in their countries.
Afroargentines sends a strong message - that the Argentine society is a closed one and only those directly descended from European immigrants are considered part of that society. The government and its social institutions do not take into consideration the culture and or achievements of this community. It is not part of the curriculum in schools and when it is mentioned the issue is usually treated with a frivolous and superficial tone. As an example, Argentine President Menen visited Howard University in the eighties. When asked if there were any blacks in Argentina his response was, “That problem is only taken place in Brazil.” This documentary also considers the situation of black women in Argentina who suffer a double discrimination. Interracial couples and their children have all sorts of social difficulties and social intolerance recurs from time to time and may include verbal and physical violence. Today, the black population in Argentina lives in”apartheid” when compared with the rest of society. In general, is a population that is less educated, lacks basic housing, health and other social services benefits.
This documentary is highly recommended as an educational tool for discussion and study of the African Diaspora in the Americas.