Beyond Stereotype and Comedy

Abstract

Also available online-brill.nl BEYOND STEREOTYPE AND COMEDY The 'Pop' and the 'Modern' Brazil on Screen* The Northeast of Brazil has historically been stereotyped as the antagonist of the wealthy and 'modern' Southeast. Although considerable attention has been paid to recurrent depictions of the Northeast in Brazilian cinema, a detailed study that pinpoints the stereotypes associated with the region but looks beyond them to discuss the nuances of the actual geographical, socio-cultural and political space in cinematic depictions remains to be done. This article argues that such a study can illuminate profound ruptures of a supposed national unity and also can point to current strategies of reconciliation. The argument evolves around the metamorphosed Northeast depicted in a recent popular Brazilian comedy, Lisbela e o Prisioneiro (Lisbela and the Prisoner, 2003). The aim is to demonstrate that the fi lm conveys a very clear political message beyond the obvious popular appeal of the comedy genre. Au-delà des stéréotypes et de la comédie Le Brésil « Pop » et le Brésil « moderne » à l'écran * This article is part my PhD research (University of Southampton, 2008) with the support of CAPES (Coordenação de Aperferiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior). katia augusta maciel (2003). O objetivo da discussão é demonstrar que o fi lme transmite uma clara mensagem política além do óbvio apelo popular do gênero de comédia. 1 The fi lm was shown in the offi cial selection Un Certain Regard in Cannes 2005 and won a National Education Prize. It was also chosen by the Brazilian authorities to represent the country in the Oscars, but unfortunately was not nominated by the North-American Academy.