Visual Narratives and Human Rights Advocacy: Exploring the Impact of Latin American Films on Perception, Awareness and Social Change

Ednah Asiema ’26

Faculty Mentor: Amy Corbin

What is the broader impact of your summer research? That is, why should the world care about your work?

My research focuses on the portrayal of human rights issues in Latin American films, exploring both the positive and negative aspects of depicting such complex topics. I aim to highlight how the backgrounds of film directors influence the outcomes of their films, whether fiction or documentary. A director’s background can shape the portrayal of characters and issues, affecting how underprivileged individuals and their struggles are depicted. This portrayal, in turn, determines the type and extent of support these communities receive from the films made about them. More specifically, my research examines how the portrayal of individuals in Latin American Human Rights films can vary based on the motivations behind the films’ creation, particularly the influence of funding and the background of the directors. Essentially, I am investigating the impact of different films on social change, analyzing how the directors’ and funders’ backgrounds, as well as the intended audiences, shape the outcomes of these films.

What has summer research taught you about yourself and the field that you researched and/or studied?

This summer, I learned that watching movies back-to-back is more demanding and not nearly as fun as expected. This experience taught me to be more organized, effectively balancing various obligations while staying focused on my tasks. This not only improved my productivity but also enhanced my ability to manage multiple responsibilities simultaneously. I learned that researching a broad topic, like mine, can lead to numerous subtopics, making it challenging to stay focused on the original subject. Additionally, I’ve realized the importance of asking questions about every aspect of the topic, especially in the context of films.

What advice would you give to students considering a future research opportunity similar to the one you participated in?

Research is a lot less intimidating than it seems, it’s a chance to explore other areas of study or to learn more about your major while also gaining experience. The trick is to find a topic you are really invested in and be open to learning more.