City University of New York (CUNY) CUNY Academic Works All Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects 9-2015 Anthropophagic Queer: A Study on Abjected Bodies and Brazilian Queer Theory Joao Nemi Neto Graduate Center, City University of New York How does access to this work benefit ou?y Let us know! More information about this work at: https://academicworks.cuny.edu/gc_etds/1071 Discover additional works at: https://academicworks.cuny.edu This work is made publicly available by the City University of New York (CUNY). Contact: [email protected] Anthropophagic Queer: A Study on Abjected Bodies and Brazilian Queer Theory in Literature and Film by João Nemi Neto A dissertation submitted to the Graduate Faculty in Hispanic and Luso-Brazilian Literatures and Languages in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, The City University of New York 2015 ii © 2015 JOÃO NEMI NETO ALL RIGHTS RESERVED iii This Manuscript has been read and accepted for the Graduate Faculty in Hispanic and Luso-Brazilian Literatures and Languages in satisfaction of the dissertation requirement in the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE PAUL JULIAN SMITH ___________________ __________________________________ DATE Chair of examining committee JOSÉ DEL VALLE ___________________ __________________________________ DATE Executive officer PAUL JULIAN SMITH __________________________________ JOSÉ DEL VALLE __________________________________ MAGDALENA PERKOWSKA __________________________________ Supervisory committee iv ABSTRACT Anthropophagic Queer: A Study on Abjected Bodies and Brazilian Queer Theory in Literature and Film by João Nemi Neto Advisor: Paul Julian Smith This project analyzes contemporary Brazilian literature and film in order to discuss queer theory and its ability to resonate with, and bring to light, specifically Brazilian concerns. The main argument of this dissertation is that, on one hand, such ideas and theories may change local perspectives; and that, on the other, they are themselves changed by local contexts. Therefore my analysis focuses on the representation of same-sex desire in Brazil throughout the 20th century and a reading of queer theory with a Brazilian perspective in mind. In order to do that, I use the concept of Antropofagia. Anthropophagy was a seminal Brazilian cultural movement that, through the works of artists such as Oswald de Andrade Tarsila do Amaral and Flávio de Carvalho, proposed cultural and metaphorical cannibalism, putting together European avant-garde ideas with Brazilian traditions yet aiming to produce something entirely new. My anthropophagic queer reading also appeals to the notion of the abject as formulated by Julia Kristeva and later examined by Leo Bersani, Michael Warner and Judith Butler and to the space in-between, a concept formulated by Silviano Santiago. v In literature, the analysis will focus on Labirinto (1971) by André de Figueiredo, Passagem para o próximo sonho (1981) by Herbert Daniel and Os dragões não conhecem o paraíso (1988) by Caio Fernando Abreu. In film, I will deal with Romance (1988) by Sérgio Bianchi, Madame Satã (2003) by Karim Aïnouz, Dzi Croquetes (2010) by Tatianna Issa and Rafael Alvarez, and Tatuagem (2014) by Hilton Lacerda. My readings reveal that, beyond the Anglo-American model of coming out and politics, there are other possibilities of affirmation, be it through acceptance or silence and failure, which are seen in this dissertation as a productive mode of queer representation. Moreover, the pieces of literature and film analyzed here depict queer alternative representations to both homonormativity and heteronormativity as forms of resistance, at the same time as prejudice and homonormativity remain present in contemporary Brazilian social practices. vi ACKNOWLEDGMENTS First, my deepest appreciation and respect for Distinguished Professor Paul Julian Smith, his guidance during these years was fundamental for the completion of this project. His talent and vision helped me make this project possible. I must also thank Professor José Del Valle for his support during the past years. All the times he listened to my questions, aflições, and comments and responded with the utmost care. Also, Professor Magdalena Perkowska for reading the dissertation proposal, and being part of the committee and all her willingness to help me. Her suggestions, comments and support were invaluable for this project. All my gratitude to the Graduate Center professors who helped me during the coursework. A very special thanks to Claudia Pio, Howard Green and Sondra Green who helped me as attentive readers of this project. The mentoring during our PhD is undoubtedly vital for the completion of such project. However there is one aspect of our work as PhD students that is also fundamental: friendship. And for that I am most thankful to my friends, partners and New York family, Jelena Mihailovic, Pablo Guerra and Emmy Williamson. This project would have not been possible without the companionship of Ben de Witte. His patience, attentive eyes, helping hands and voice were part of this. I do hope this is just the first project of many others we get to share with each other. And my family and friends back home, who embraced my project of leaving Brazil to pursue a PhD and their support throughout these years. vii TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction........................................................................................................................1 Chapter 1: Queer Theory and Lesbian and Gay Studies in Brazil: A Historical Background 1.1 Introduction..................................................................................................................11 1.2 The “History(ies)” of the Same-Sex Experience in Brazil..........................................13 1.3 Among Bichas, Veados, Entendidos, Gays… ............................................................29 Chapter 2: Queering Antropofagia or Devouring Queer 2.1 Introduction................................................................................................................ 40 2.2 Approaching the Concepts...........................................................................................41 2.3 Antropofagia/The Anthropophagic Movement...........................................................50 2.3.1 Forerunners to Antropofagia.........................................................................51 2.3.2 The Movimento Antropófago........................................................................55 2.4 The Manifesto Antropófago.........................................................................................68 2.5 What is Queer about Antropofagia? ...........................................................................73 2.6 Flávio de Carvalho, the Anthropophagus Architect....................................................75 2.7 Abjection......................................................................................................................79 2.8 Space In-Between........................................................................................................90 viii Chapter 3: Disappearance, Failure, Loss (and Positivity?): Abject Bodies in Contemporary Brazilian Literature 3.1 Introduction..................................................................................................................98 3.2 Caio Fernando Abreu.................................................................................................101 3.2.1 Os dragões não conhecem o paraíso..........................................................105 3.3 André de Figueiredo..................................................................................................121 3.3.1 Labirinto.....................................................................................................122 3.4 Herbert Daniel............................................................................................................134 3.4.1 Passagem para o próximo sonho................................................................136 3.5 Conclusion.................................................................................................................143 Chapter 4: Silenced Bodies Made Visible: Abject Bodies in Contemporary Brazilian Cinema 4.1 Introduction................................................................................................................147 4.2 Madame Satã and the Fictionalized Reality..............................................................155 4.3 Dzi Croquetes and The Documentary Tradition........................................................168 4.4 Tatuagem and the Uses of Naturalism.......................................................................182 4.5 Romance and the Future in the Past...........................................................................192 4.6 Conclusion.................................................................................................................199 Conclusion......................................................................................................................205 Bibliography...................................................................................................................211 ix LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS Chapter 2 Fig. 1. Cover of the 2002 magazine celebrating the 80th anniversary of the Semana de Arte Moderna.....................................................................................................................56