Peryferie mają głos. O książce Jarosława Pietrzaka

Abstract

PERIPHERIES HAVE VOICE. THE REVIEW OF THE BOOK SMUTKI TROPIKÓW. KINO AMERYKI ŁACIŃSKIEJ JAKO KINO POLITYCZNE BY JAROSŁAW PIETRZAK, WARSZAWA 2016, 312 PP.

This text is a review of the book by Jaroslaw Pietrzak Smutki tropików. Kino Ameryki Łacińskiej jako kino polityczne Tristes Tropiques. The Cinema of Latin America as a Political Cinema. The review draws attention to the specifics of the author’s viewpoint, which connects his interest in politics, culture, cinematography, while drawing from a strong influence of leftist sensibilities. In the line of arguments presented in the text, the essayistic freedom Pietrzak uses to connect seemingly distant issues, makes reading his book a satisfactory, erudite adventure. However, it seems to be problematic in the moments in which the author gives in to his emotions and uses persuasive tactics closer to the publicists manifestos rather than any analytic deliberations. The book review concludes that Smutki tropików, despite several critical flaws, finally earns a respectable position, in particular with the essays This first September 11, 1973, Santiago de Chile and The Communist Go to Heaven deserving a praise.