Screening multiple identities. National, subnational and transnational discourses in post-war Belgian cinema.

After the Second World War, a variety of national (Belgian), subnational (Flemish and Walloon) and transnational (Benelux, European, global, diaspora, etc.) identity discourses circulated in Belgium. This research project examines how post-war Belgian cinema relates to these national, subnational and transnational discourses. The timeframe runs from 1944 to 1960, a crucial period to study as it determines the direction of identity-building processes and discourses up to the present day. The relationship between post-war Belgian cinema and (sub/trans)national discourses is studied by 1) building and analysing a historical database on the post-war Belgian film industry, 2) analysing (sub/trans)national representations in a selection of films and 3) investigating the production and reception of these films. Apart from its relevance for Belgian film history, this project provides an original contribution to the international research field on film and (sub/trans)national identities by putting the multiplicity of and the relations between identity discourses at the centre of analysis. FWO Junior Research Project in collaboration with the University of Namur (cosupersivor Bénédicte Rochet).

Keywords:FILM STUDIES, FILM HISTORY, CULTURAL IDENTITY, CINEMA

Disciplines:Modern and contemporary history, National history, Documentary film, Fiction film

Project type:Collaboration project