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 and Identity (PhD Research)
My research delves into the intersection of culture, cinema, and society, with a focus on early 20th-century Chinese cinema. Through my work, I aim to provide detailed analyses that connect academic insights with real-world applications.
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This ongoing PhD project, part of the Graduate Program in Social Sciences at UERJ (PPCIS-UERJ), examines how Chinese films produced between 1903 and 1949 reflect and shape the social, political, and ethnic dynamics of the time. By analyzing approximately 40 films, the study seeks to uncover the intricate ways in which cinema operates as both a cultural product and an active agent of societal change.​
​Through this research, I explore 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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​This work reflects my commitment to bridging academic rigor with accessible narratives, making the complexities of early 20th-century Chinese cinema relevant for broader audiences.
*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
Below are two of my academic articles, exploring identity, narrative construction, and the interplay between individual and collective freedoms in distinct contexts. Click the links to access the full texts.
1. 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.
2. 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.