Film and literature of the crisis in Spain

This is a cross-disciplinary project, directed by scholars from both the Hispanic Studies and Sociology departments, that investigates connections between Spanish film/literature and the current social/political/economic climate. Spain was particularly hard hit by the 2008 global financial crisis and it has produced major reverberations throughout Spanish society. In 2011 the Indignados movement formed tent cities in central city squares, spawning a new cycle of political and cultural activism that continues to this day. Proposals should consider films and/or literature that reflect or respond to the crisis, such as Hermosa juventud (2014) by Jaime Rosales, En tierra extraña (2014) by Icíar Bollaín, and La trabajadora (2014) by Elvira Navarro. How do these texts portray the economic downturn and new social-political developments, as well as longstanding issues that have come to the forefront in recent years? Do they offer any new aesthetic configurations that respond to these issues? Do they manifest new social realities or outlooks, signalling the end of the so-called "Culture of the Transition"?

This is just one example of the sort of project that might be available in this research group. The precise project will be decided upon in consultation with the supervisor.