Colombian Children in War Films: Operación E and Alias María. Issue 5 (May 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rocha, Carolina
• Is Part Of: Bulletin of Hispanic studies. Volume 96:Issue 5(2019)
• Page Start: 553
• Page End: 567
• Publication Date: 2019-05
• Subjects: Spanish philology -- Periodicals; Portuguese philology -- Periodicals; Spain -- Civilization -- Periodicals; Latin America -- Civilization -- Periodicals; 860.5
• DOI: 10.3828/bhs.2019.32
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1475-3839

Abstract

Abstract : Two contemporary co-produced films, Operación E (Miguel Courtois, 2012) and Alias María (José Luis Rugeles, 2015), touch on events that took place in Colombia in recent history and in which the FARC participated. In this article I analyse these two films, suggesting that despite their different sources of financing, they are both anti-war films that employ two categories of the threatened child: the sick child in Operación E and the deprived child in Alias María. These categories stress the abuses committed by guerrillas and the important function of the 'child-savers' who, by protecting threatened children, stand for the hope of Colombian society.