In this masterclass, we will explore self-referential cinema as a tool for introspection and the exploration of personal and collective identities, using the work of filmmaker Sandra Ruesga as a central axis. Her filmography is distinguished by an honest and reflective look, in which personal experiences are intertwined with broader social, cultural and political concerns.
“Exploring the Self: Self-Referential Cinema and Identity in the Work of Sandra Ruesga” is a unique opportunity to delve into the creative universe of a filmmaker whose work blurs the boundaries between the personal and the collective, the private and the public. This masterclass will not only enrich participants’ understanding of self-referential cinema, but will also invite them to reflect on their own identity and their place in society.
We will begin by defining the concept of self-referential cinema, a style that combines autobiographical narratives with elements of fiction to reflect on the very act of creating and being. This approach not only allows the filmmaker to become the subject of their own work but also invites the audience to partake in a shared experience of introspection. In this context, we will highlight how self-referential cinema has gained prominence in contemporary times, particularly in the documentary field.
Next, we will analyze the career of Sandra Ruesga, a filmmaker who has made self-referential cinema her distinctive language. Through a selection of her most emblematic works, we will explore how her films address themes such as memory, family relationships, the sense of belonging, and the tensions between the individual and the collective. The highlighted titles will include those where Ruesga combines documentary elements with experimental narrative strategies, creating a unique aesthetic.
The main body of the masterclass will focus on analyzing how the filmmaker approaches identity in its various facets. From documenting her own personal story to examining social issues that affect entire communities, Ruesga's films act as a mirror reflecting both the uniqueness of the individual and the complexities of the social fabric. The following topics will be addressed:
In this section, we will delve into the formal techniques that define Sandra Ruesga's distinctive style. From the use of archival materials to the incorporation of interviews and voice-over reflections, her films innovatively blend the visual and the discursive. Additionally, we will analyze her approach to temporality and space as vehicles for representing subjectivity and memory.
The masterclass will conclude with a reflection on the impact of Sandra Ruesga's work on the contemporary cinematic landscape. The contributions of her self-referential approach to documentary and experimental cinema will be discussed, as well as her ability to inspire new ways of thinking about identity in a globalized and fragmented world.
Filmmaker, producer and film programmer, Sandra has worked in the documentary film sector for more than 20 years. She studied Political Science in Toulouse, Journalism in Madrid, and later studied cinema. In 2004 she co-directed and co-produced the feature-length documentary “200 KM”, premiered at the San Sebastián festival, and since then, she has developed her activity as a film and audiovisual producer. She directs, among others, the short films “Jogging my Memory”, “Through Their Eyes”, “The Initiation”. In 2022 she finished her two latest works, the feature-length documentary “Archipiélago” (co-direction), and the short film “What never was”, which has participated in many national and international festivals and has won the audience award at the Alcances film festival. She has also been a programmer for Documenta Madrid Film festival for 9 editions, and is currently programmer for Another Way Film Festival, and for the DOCMA CYCLE. She has worked in the production of many international film festivals, among them 11 editions of Documenta Madrid, of which she has been programming and production coordinator from 2017 to 2020 editions. In 2013 she co-founded ZOCO MAJADAHONDA CINEMA, where she still collaborates as a programmer.She is president of the DOCMA Association since December 2022
