The Koldo Mitxelena Chair at the University of Chicago studies the History of Basque Cinema

The 2015-2016 academic program of the Koldo Mitxelena Chair at the University of Chicago is about to start. The Chair, that aims to extend the Basque Studies in North America, will focus this year on the History of Basque Cinema, with professors  Pilar Rodríguez (University of Deusto) and Rob Stone (University of Birmingham).

Basque cinema is and always has been a vital medium for the examination and perpetuation of Basque identity from numerous perspectives emanating from a specific geographical point and resulting in diverse trajectories. It has proven itself a durable vehicle for the historical, political, social and artistic interests of the Basque people and has duly imagined past, present and future variations on local, national and international concerns that all contribute to this frustrating, yet at the same time liberating ambiguity about the Basque Country. The course will explore the major works and themes in Basque cinema, from its origins to present day productions, with a special attention paid to four aspects: the creation of the Basque nation on screen, filmic representations of terrorism, the cinema of the second wave of filmmakers, and contemporary films which range from the Kimuak initiative for short films to local and diasporic works.

This chair, founded by the Etxepare Basque Institute in 2012, is part of the Division of Humanities at the University of Chicago and hosts every year a renowned Basque professor who imparts seminars and lectures about Basque humanistic studies.  Etxepare has created five chairs in international universities worldwide.

The 2015-2016 academic program of the Koldo Mitxelena Chair at the University of Chicago is about to start. The Chair, that aims to extend the Basque Studies in North America, will focus this year on the History of Basque Cinema, with professors  Pilar Rodríguez (University of Deusto) and Rob Stone (University of Birmingham).

Basque cinema is and always has been a vital medium for the examination and perpetuation of Basque identity from numerous perspectives emanating from a specific geographical point and resulting in diverse trajectories. It has proven itself a durable vehicle for the historical, political, social and artistic interests of the Basque people and has duly imagined past, present and future variations on local, national and international concerns that all contribute to this frustrating, yet at the same time liberating ambiguity about the Basque Country. The course will explore the major works and themes in Basque cinema, from its origins to present day productions, with a special attention paid to four aspects: the creation of the Basque nation on screen, filmic representations of terrorism, the cinema of the second wave of filmmakers, and contemporary films which range from the Kimuak initiative for short films to local and diasporic works.

This chair, founded by the Etxepare Basque Institute in 2012, is part of the Division of Humanities at the University of Chicago and hosts every year a renowned Basque professor who imparts seminars and lectures about Basque humanistic studies.  Etxepare has created five chairs in international universities worldwide.

Basque Cinema: a cultural and political history

Profs. Rob Stone and Pilar Rodríguez

May 6  (Rob Stone)

Introduction to course
Ways of Understanding Basque Cinema: Citizenship and Sentiment

May 8  (Rob Stone)

Ama Lur, the transition and the First Basque Wave of the 1980s

May 13  (Rob Stone)

Basque Heritage Cinema

May 15 (Rob Stone)

The Second Basque Wave: Julio Medem

May 20 (Rob Stone)

Representations of Terrorism.

May 22 (Pilar Rodríguez)

Representations of Terrorism (Cont.)

May 27 (Pilar Rodríguez)

Short films: Kimuak

May 29 (Pilar Rodríguez)

The Third Basque Wave: Contemporary Cinema in the Basque Country

June 3 (Pilar Rodríguez)

Contemporary Basque Cinema in the Diaspora

June 5 (Pilar Rodríguez)

Conclusions.