Revisiting the city film through expanded archival practices

This talk explores the potential of translating the city film into installative modes of filmmaking. The urban space has been a fundamental theme throughout the history of film: city evocations in the audio-visual medium started as early as the actualities from the late nineteenth century, developed into a fully-fledged experimental genre with the city symphony, and now offer new opportunities within the gallery environment. The presentation also analyses how appropriation practices can support this adaptation. As a case study, it considers the translation of Película de la Rambla Sur, an unfinished film project documenting the construction of Montevideo’s south promenade, into an audio-visual installation. By revisiting the city symphony through archival installation practices, this talk highlights the enduring aesthetic principles, formal structures, and thematic focus of the city film.

Juan Marra (b. 1989, Uruguay) is a filmmaker-researcher whose craft and interests span the moving image, non-fiction genres and visual culture. He is a lecturer in the School of Communication at Universidad de Montevideo and holds an MA in Documentary Practice from Queen Mary, University of London. Currently, he is pursuing a practice-based PhD in Film Studies with the University of Glasgow.