In this course, we will explore the close relationship between the film industries throughout Latin America and their respective states. Through film and theoretical readings we will begin with Cuba's first established ministry in 1959, which later became the Cuban Institute of Cinematographic Arts and Industry (ICAIC). The ICAIC served as a model to protect and foster both Cuban filmmakers and a critical Cuban audience.  The ICAIC worked to bring films to the countryside for the first time in Cuban history while also opening a rare space for criticism of the revolution. Next we will explore "New Latin American Cinema" and the use of film to denounce dictatorships, cultural imperialism, and social inequalities throughout Latin America. These films were explicit protests and were often viewed illegally as works against the state. Since the 1990’s many countries have abandoned their national film projects and have chosen to work on co-productions with other Latin American and European countries. As of 2004 in Venezuela we see a return to a national film project, borrowing from the ICAIC and Cinema Novo past, to celebrate national identity and the current political agenda through film. We will conclude the course attempting to answer the following questions: What is revolutionary film? Can it come from within the state? Are state productions merely propaganda?  Can we reach authentic representations of Latin America through film? This class is conducted in Spanish and the texts are read in the original.