Friday 6th March 2020, 6pm-9pm, Birkbeck Cinema, 43 Gordon Square, WC1.
The Devil Never Sleeps (EI Diablo Nunca Duerme) • Lourdes Portillo • 1994 • Video • 82 min
A ground breaking essay film The Devil Never Sleeps / EI Diablo Nunca Duerme sees Lourdes Portillo exploring the complicated intersections of analysis and autobiography, evidence and hypothesis, even melodrama and police procedure. Her unorthodox means of exploring the subject here include the use of clips from television soap operas, 8mm home movies, archival footage, family photographs, and stylized visual reminiscences.
The Devil Never Sleeps is centred around the attempt by Portillo to investigate the death of her Uncle, in doing so finding out about his life and experiences. This search see’s Portillo travel to Mexico exploring the emotional family histories connected to her Uncle but also her feelings for her home country.
With the support of CHASE Doctoral Training Partnership.