Brasiguaios
Who are the Brasiguaios?
The term Brasiguaios (“Brazilian” + “Paraguayan") refers to individuals holding socio-economic, cultural and political ties to both Brazil and Paraguay. The lives of most Brasiguaios are marked by migration processes and the pursuit of a piece of land for subsistence in both countries. 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 the emergence of new forms of ethnic-national identifications within this border region.
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 Worker's 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 a significant number of families. While some families remained, others resettled within Brazil, and some returned to Paraguay.
Following the completion of my PhD, I became an Early Career Fellow (ECF) in the Institute of Advanced Study of the University of Warwick. During my tenure, I produced the award-winning ethnographic film Brasiguaios: Transnational Lives and Identities.
Brasiguaios: Transnational Lives and Identities
The trailer and the full version of the film can be found below. Alternatively, you can access the trailer of the film or the full version of the film on YouTube.
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 both Brazil and Paraguay.
Full version (HD)
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)