Virar Mar — thgeorge.com

Theresa George (*1984) is a film anthropologist based in Hamburg and Leipzig. From 2005 to 2013, she studied cultural anthropology, journalism and political science. Based on this, she co-develops films and videos in changing constellations, works for film festivals, curates her own programmes and teaches visual anthropology. This website features a selection of her work.

contact: th.george(at)posteo.de

The Secret Life of Virar Mar (2020)

Set Ethnographer, Author

(…) The Federal State of Ceará through which we are traveling is often called “the poorhouse of Brazil.” Here, the scarcity of water and a land policy that mercilessly favors big land owners are a drain on the people. In the richer southern part of the country, to which many Cearenses are forced to emigrate, they are often treated in a patronizing manner simply on account of their accent. We, in turn, are all the more grateful for the hospitality and cooperation that we are granted with overwhelming magnanimity. Doors are opened for us: we are given shelter, we are given presents, and we are nourished. Many people go to great lengths to help out during the shoots. Moreover, our set becomes a frequent location for selfies and soon we appear on countless Facebook profiles. Not just on the ones by acquaintances, but also on those of strangers and politicians. We are invited to local radio stations, have to give speeches, comment on soccer games, and award medals (…). (Theresa George, full text available here)

Feature film by Philipp Hartmann & Danilo Carvalho
Germany/Brazil, HD & Super-8, 85 min.
Film Website

An extended version of the text, including a film anthropological analysis, has been published as an audiovisual essay in the online journal Anthrovision. It can be viewed here under ‘Provoking Film/ Complicating Hierarchy’