Research and Publications: Exploring Cultural and Social Narratives
My academic journey explores the intersections of culture, politics, and identity through diverse research projects. From Chinese cinema to indigenous martial performances, my work seeks to deepen understanding and foster meaningful connections.
Chinese Cinema - early 20th-century - and Identity (PhD Research - Ongoing)
My research explores the intersection of culture, cinema, and society, focusing on the relationship between the individual and the collective in China. As part of my PhD project at UERJ (PPCIS-UERJ), I analyze how early 20th-century Chinese cinema (1903-1949) both reflected and shaped social, political, and ethnic dynamics. This study draws from historiographical sources, cinematic analysis, and in-depth fieldwork conducted in China, providing insights into how visual narratives influence collective memory and identity.
Through this research, I explore key questions such as:
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How did Chinese filmmakers represent individual and collective identities during this period?
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In what ways did ethnic relations influence cinematic narratives and aesthetics?
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How do these films contribute to understanding China’s socio-political transformations up to 1949?
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How do these historical narratives continue to shape contemporary cultural and political discourses?​
By examining how early cinematic narratives framed the relationship between the individual and the collective, this study sheds light on enduring perspectives of identity and social belonging in contemporary China. The research explores how historical representations of society continue to shape cultural understandings of collectivism and individuality
*Explore the Chinese films analyzed in this research, showcasing cinema's role in reflecting early 20th-century societal and cultural dynamics. [Discover the Films Here]
Indigenous Martial Performance and Politics (Master's Research)
This research represents a turning point in my academic journey. It explores xondaro, the martial practice of the Guarani indigenous people, conceptualized as a "Martial Performance." This performance is shaped by an intricate dynamic between the practitioner and the Other, understood as the adversary, and emphasizes the political agency of the body in motion.
Conducted during my master’s studies, the research involved field visits to the Pyau (SP) and Sapukai (RJ) indigenous villages, offering an in-depth analysis of how cultural and political dimensions are expressed through this unique bodily practice.
Xondaro Guarani: Martial Art, Performance, and Politics
The book Xondaro Guarani: Martial Art, Performance, and Politics is a culmination of my research and a record of my academic efforts during my Bachelor's and Master's studies.​
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This work contributes to the study of indigenous communities and martial arts from an anthropological perspective, bridging cultural practices and academic theory.​​​
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Academic Articles
Cinematography and social thought: the construction of Chinese identity and the role of individualism and collectivism in film (Preprint)
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This article explores how Chinese cinema challenges Hollywood’s dominance by contrasting individualistic and collectivist narrative structures. It examines how film serves as a cultural expression of different worldviews and highlights the systemic barriers non-Western productions face in global recognition. Drawing from anthropology and cultural studies, the study argues that cinematic narratives reflect broader geopolitical and ideological disputes, shaping how cultural identity and storytelling are perceived worldwide.
The embarrassment show: individualism and the journey of the archetypal hero of MMA fighters in the movie The Hurt Business
This paper analyzes the performance of MMA fighters in the documentary The Hurt Business. Using Gilberto Velho’s concept of individualism, Joseph Campbell’s Journey of the Archetypal Hero, and Goffman’s concept of embarrassment, it explores how narratives of defeat shape identity and drive the relentless pursuit of victory.
Relational freedom and the Ilan Pappe case: an anthropological proposal for freedom
This article examines the concept of freedom beyond liberalism through the case of historian Ilan Pappe’s detention by the FBI. It highlights the tensions between individual freedom and collective interests, proposing a relational view of freedom rooted in social interdependencies, with insights from authors like John Stuart Mill, Norbert Elias, and John Locke.