Diaspora and National Identity in Daniel Burman's El abrazo partido

Abstract

This article discusses how national and diasporic identity is negotiated in El abrazo partido (Daniel Burman, 2004) as part of an investigation into how the film engages with its own categorisation as an Argentine Jewish film. Through the protagonist's narration and point-of-view, the spectator becomes acquainted with the day-to-day life in a multicultural shopping centre in Once, a Jewish neighbourhood in Buenos Aires, where Burman himself has an insider status. In light of theories of diasporic filmmaking, the article explores Burman's situatedness and the implications that his own positioning has for the narrative, visual style, character and subject matter of the film. It aims to investigate how the film attests to the impact of neoliberal economics on culture and the extent to which the film simultaneously negotiates local and global issues in its reassertion of national identity.

Notes

1 18-J consists of ten short films directed by Adrián Caetano, Daniel Burman, Lucía Cedrón, Alejandro Doria, Alberto Lecchi, Marcelo Schapces, Carlos Sorín, Juan Bautista Stagnaro, Adrián Suar and Maurício Wainrot.

2 ‘Gorodischer, J. (2005). ‘Con la mirada puesta más lejos del Once’. Página 12. Available at: http://www.pagina12.com.ar/diario/espectaculos/6-53732-2005-07-16.html (accessed 10 August 2010).

3 Sosa, C. (2004). ‘Los tres mosqueteros’. Página 12. Available at: http://www.pagina12.com.ar/diario/suplementos/radar/9-1315-2004-03-21.html (accessed 6 October 2010).

4 Gorodischer, J. (2005). ‘Con la mirada puesta más lejos del Once’. Página 12. Available at: http://www.pagina12.com.ar/diario/espectaculos/6-53732-2005-07-16.html (accessed 10 August 2010).

5 Tamara L Falicov. The Cinematic Tango: Contemporary Argentine Film. London: Wallflower Press. 2007: 136.

6 See Roland Robertson, Globalization: Social Theory and Global Culture. London: Sage. 1994.

7 Burman interviewed by Elisa Figueiró (2006). Available at:http://www.cenacine.com.br/?p = 2171 (accessed 10 December 2010).