Brasiguaios
Who are the Brasiguaios?
After completing my PhD, I became an Early Career Fellow (ECF) in the Institute of Advanced Study (IAS) of the University of Warwick. During my tenure in the IAS, I produced the award-winning ethnographic film Brasiguaios: Transnational Lives and Identities (2017), followed by the film Brasiguaios 1985: The Return to Origin (2021).
The term Brasiguaios (“Brazilian” + “Paraguayan") refers to individuals holding socio-economic, cultural and political ties to both Brazil and Paraguay. Migration processes and the pursuit of a piece of land for subsistence in both countries mark the lives of most Brasiguaios. Brazilian immigration to Paraguay commenced in the 1960s, intensifying notably in the 1970s. The cross-border relations between Brazilians and the Paraguayan population led to new forms of ethnic-national identifications within this border region.
Brasiguaios: Transnational Lives and Identities (2017)
The trailer and full version of the film Brasiguaios: Transnational Lives and Identities (2017) are below. Alternatively, you can access the trailerLink opens in a new window or the full version of the film on YouTube.
The trailer and full version of the film Brasiguaios 1985: The Return to Origin (2021) are available on Youtube. You can access its trailer by clicking here or the full version by clicking here.
Brasiguaios: Transnational Lives and Identities (2017)
Trailer
The life stories of the Brasiguaios are profoundly shaped by their migration experience, living in Paraguay, subsequent return to Brazil, and the intricate, shared socio-cultural connections forged through their pursuit of land for agricultural production in Brazil and Paraguay.
Full version (HD)
Over the years, the tension over land ownership increased in Paraguay. In 2009, a significant number of Brasiguaios returned to Brazil from Paraguay led by conflicts over land ownership, supported by the Brazilian Landless Rural Workers' Landless Movement (MST). They settled in the landless camp Antonio Irmão in Itaquiraí (in the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso do Sul-MS). Soon after, the landless camps became known in the region as the Acampamento dos Brasiguaios (“Brasiguaios Landless camp"). At its peak, the camp housed 613 families. However, as of 2023, the Brazilian Land Reform Agency (INCRA) had not yet settled this group, leading to the departure of many families. While some families remained, others resettled within Brazil, and some returned to Paraguay.
Film Nomination and Awards
The film was part of the official selection in 17 international festivals and received awards.
Picture of the landless camp Antônio Irmão taken in June 2018
The film was selected for screening in the following festivals:
- UN Global Migration Film Festival (Brazil, Chile, Egypt, Iraq)
- The Lift-Off Sessions 2019 (UK)
- 60siff Festival (Pakistan)
- Los Angeles CINEFEST (USA)
- First-Time Filmmaker Sessions (UK)
- 4th Festival Brasil de Cinema Internacional (Brazil )
- Festival de Cine Comunitario -Miní a Guatiá- San Basilio de Palenque (Colombia)
- Certamen Internacional de Cortometrajes Ciudad de La Linea (Spain)
- World Festival of Emerging Cinema (Trinidad & Tobago)
- Barcelona Planet Film Festival (Spain)
- Festival Internacional de Cinema da Fronteira (Brazil)
- Inshort Film Festival (Nigeria)
- UN Global Migration Film Festival: I am a "migrant" (Online)
- CINECAST Florida Film Festival 2018 (USA)
- Cardiff International Film Festival 2017 (UK)
- ASA International Humanitarian Film Festival (Germany )
- Festival Latino Americano (USA)