Inherited narratives and aesthetics in Spanish non-fiction films: cinematographic reminiscences of the filmography of Joaquim Jordà and José Luis Guerin

Abstract

This article uncovers key features and creative strategies of the filmographies of Joaquim Jordà and José Luis Guerin and analyses their influence on Spanish non-fiction films in the new millennium, which constitutes one of the most interesting chapters in our recent cinematography. In this article, we combine an extensive review of the bibliography with the use of filmic textual analysis to determine a series of fundamental identifying features and topics that characterize Jordà and Guerin's work, including hybridization of genres, mixture of formats and resources, mise-en-situation, autobiographical nature, polyphony of voices, intermediality, biopolitical condition and creative use of sound. Subsequently, we have examined these principles in a series of works by young filmmakers like Isaki Lacuesta, Mercedes Álvarez, Carla Subirana among others, who have played a leading role in this blurred and prolific area between fiction and reality, which has generated a stimulating audiovisual production since the beginning of the XXI century, as well as an intense and prolific theoretical reflection.