This lesson plan falls within Latin American Studies, World History (Modern) and Sociology strands.

Understand the challenges of making films in Brazil and Venezuela; identify particular social issues that are addressed in specific films.

Filmmaking has become a major industry in Brazil and Venezuela. At times, filmmakers practice their craft during periods of strict government control or during periods of economic depression. Films can address particular political or economic issues, attempting to bring about social change. Filmmaking is also influenced by the often heavy hand of Hollywood.

2 class periods

• Student Activity Sheet
• Concept Map Graphic Organizer
• General Performance Rubric

Students have an opportunity to write a Movie Review (See extension below).

What are the unique challenges to filmmaking in South America? What issues do these films address? Why are the authors optimistic about the future of cinema in Brazil and Venezuela?

Point of View Students will work in pairs to write and perform an interview with either a Brazilian or Venezuelan filmmaker. To develop their scripts, students will research the issues and challenges of filmmaking in Brazil and Venezuela. Group members will research various films and the social and political issues they address. Have students research these topics using the provided links. Encourage them to use the suggested graphic organizer as they read the articles.

Venezuelan Román Chalbaud (center) during the filming of La oveja negra in the 1980s.

To start students thinking about filmmaking in Latin America, have them examine the photograph.

Key questions students should answer are:

• What functions do movies play in society?
• What special issues might this director have to face making a film in Latin America?
• What obstacles might stand in the way of this film being seen by viewers outside of Venezuela?

Distribute the Student Activity sheet. Tell students to decide who will play the reporter and who will play the director. Have students keep the following topics in mind as they conduct their research.

• Poverty and social justice
• Social problems — Violence, Drug Abuse
• Government vs. private financing
• Censorship
• Nationalism
• Influence of Hollywood

Remind students that their interview script should include 10 questions and responses. The script should incorporate specific details about the films themselves or the challenges of making films.

Tell student that they will perform their interviews for the class.

Use the General Performance Rubric to assess students' performance.

Have students reflect on their performance and use the list of expectations to judge how well they met the criteria.

Ask students: Do American moviemaker face the same challenges?

Use the bibliography to select a film to view, such as The Motorcycle Diaries or Central Station, both by Walter Salles Jr. Have students write their own review of the film.