Duno-Gottberg wins Latin American Studies Association award for work on Venezuelan cinema

BY FRANZ BROTZEN
Rice News staff

Luis Duno-Gottberg, associate professor of Hispanic studies, was awarded the prize for research in humanities and social sciences by the Latin American Studies Association’s section on Venezuelan studies earlier this month at the group’s annual gathering in Toronto.

	LUIS DUNO-GOTTBERG

Duno-Gottberg received the award for his work on Venezuelan cinema and violence.

“I am honored and, at the same time, surprised,” Duno-Gottberg said. “The topic of film and violence in contemporary Venezuelan cinema is not an easy one. Polemic is bound to happen when you enter that territory, so I am delighted to see that the field of Latin American studies is supporting this kind of inquiry.”

Duno-Gottberg teaches an undergraduate course on cinema that deals with some of these themes, including how a country’s political reality is reflected in its films. His current research, “Dangerous People: Hegemony, Representation and Culture in Contemporary Venezuela,” explores the relationship between popular mobilization, radical politics and culture.

Duno-Gottberg said he has been doing archival work and conducting interviews on the subject for a long time, but some of the best ideas came about through his experience as a teacher. “I often discuss the materials I am writing about in my seminars,” he said, “so I also owe credit to my students who ask me questions, challenge my interpretations and suggest new ways of thinking about issues I pose.”

Duno-Gottberg received the award Oct. 6 at the 29th International Congress of the Latin American Studies Association. The association has more than 6,000 members and brings together experts on Latin America from all disciplines and occupations. Its mission is “to foster intellectual discussion, research and teaching on Latin America, the Caribbean and its people throughout the Americas, promote the interests of its diverse membership and encourage civic engagement through network building and public debate.”