LIGHT IN MANGO YELLOW: A FOCUS ON REALIST AESTHETICS IN THE FILM DIRECTED BY CLÁUDIO ASSIS (Atena Editora)

Abstract

According to Andrew (2002, p. 91), although there is no doubt that the dominant theoretical trend in the first decades of cinema was formative, there was an undercurrent, in fact a counter-current, which constituted the beginning of the realist tradition. Theorists such as Siegfried Kracauer and André Bazin, focusing on Realism as a cinematographic theory, made very important considerations and took a new look at narrative in cinema. This article analyzes the film Amarelo manga, directed by Cláudio Assis, in the light of the realist theories of Siegfried Kracauer and André Bazin. Kracauer examines science for its excessive abstraction and proposes a reconnection with concrete reality through cinema, which is capable of recording everyday life with singular fidelity. In line with this, Bazin sees cinematic realism as an opportunity for the viewer to experience a reflexive approach to reality, without merely attempting to reproduce it. Amarelo mango stands out for its deep exploration of Recife's urban daily life, bringing up philosophical and social reflections on alienation and automatism in modern life. In an emblematic sequence, it portrays various forms of eating, reflecting the mechanized and silent social routine, inciting the viewer to critical awareness. The film's visceral narrative is illustrated by characters such as Kika, a symbol of religious and sexual repression, who expresses her internal conflict through a liberating and violent outburst, expressing the underlying social and cultural criticism. The production stands out for the deliberate absence of storyboarding, emphasizing spontaneity and creativity in the construction of scenes, providing an authentic and impactful cinematic experience. The treatment given to eroticism and the constant presence of death in the work remains on an artistic and poetic level, in line with Bazin's ideas on cinematic representation. Amarelo manga transcends simple film narrative by presenting itself as a philosophical and critical exercise, offering the viewer another perception of social reality. Cláudio Assis therefore materializes the aspirations of realist theorists, using cinema as an effective instrument to provoke reflection and cultural transformation.