Fictions of the Real
Synergies Between Screen and Stage in Argentine Performance
Will be published approx. on 2. September 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
276 pages
978-0-472-05820-4 (ISBN)
Description
Brenda Werth's Fictions of the Real traces the transformation of "the real" and its transnational conceptualization by Argentine artists in the twenty-first century, focusing on artists who engage in both documentary theater and filmmaking. Werth places the work of Lola Arias, Romina Paula, Federico Leon, Mariano Pensotti, and Grupo Krapp in dialogue with the distinct but intertwined lineages of theater and film, exploring the intermedial dimensions of these artists' theatrical work, resonances in their documentary films, and the transmedial relationships between their documentary plays and films. Focusing on the dynamic and shifting context of Argentina between 1998 and 2023, a period roughly bookmarked by the economic crisis of 2001 and the COVID-19 pandemic, this book explores how these artists disrupt the relations of power and counter political manipulation with their own evocative fictions of the real as they engage in the roles of translators, curators, researchers, archivists, and collaborators.
Reviews / Votes
"Fictions of the Real is both ambitious and unpretentious; it recognizes other contributions to Argentinian performance studies while offering its own original approach to the subject. Werth's well-researched and well-written book speaks to various audiences, reaching researchers, artists, and anyone interested in Latin American theater." -- Jordana Blejmar, University of Liverpool "Werth deftly draws on key scholarly works and an expansive number of artistic works, expertly positioning herself within the broad Argentinian performance field. Fictions of the Real is an elegantly written book that offers valuable insights into the dynamic and intersecting fields of Argentinian theater and film." -- Maria Delgado, University of London "This comprehensive study examines the landscape of Argentine theatre and film from the 1990s to the present, focusing on influential figures such as Lola Arias, Federico Leon, Grupo Krapp, Romina Paula, and Mariano Pensotti. Supported by meticulous research, Brenda Werth studies how these artists navigate multifaceted roles as translators, curators, researchers, archivists, and collaborators in their exploration of the real." -- Paola Hernandez, University of Wisconsin-MadisonMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
Ann Arbor
United States
Illustrations
14 Illustrations
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
ISBN-13
978-0-472-05820-4 (9780472058204)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Brenda Werth is Associate Professor of Latin American and Spanish Studies and Department Chair of World Languages and Cultures at American University. She is the coeditor of Bodies on the Front Lines: Performance Gender, and Sexuality in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Content
Contents
List of Illustrations
Acknowledgments
List of Primary Works and Premieres
Introduction: Argentina's Culture of the Real
Lola Arias: Researching the Past through Stunt Doubles and Time Machines
Federico Leon: Everything is an Archive; Everything is Recorded
El Grupo Krapp: A Collaborative Choreography of Affects
Romina Paula: Translating the Fantasy of the Real
Mariano Pensotti: Curating Live Novels and Impossible Films
Conclusion: Deepfake Politics and Fictions of the Real
Notes
Bibliography
List of Illustrations
Acknowledgments
List of Primary Works and Premieres
Introduction: Argentina's Culture of the Real
Lola Arias: Researching the Past through Stunt Doubles and Time Machines
Federico Leon: Everything is an Archive; Everything is Recorded
El Grupo Krapp: A Collaborative Choreography of Affects
Romina Paula: Translating the Fantasy of the Real
Mariano Pensotti: Curating Live Novels and Impossible Films
Conclusion: Deepfake Politics and Fictions of the Real
Notes
Bibliography