Tears, Race & Bullets

Tears, Race & Bullets is a multichannel video installation that appropriates newsreel images from Cuba’s Noticiero ICAIC Latinomericano (ICAIC Latin American Newsreel). Launched in 1960 and produced weekly until 1990 by the Cuban Institute of Cinematographic Art and Industry (ICAIC), the Newsreel documented on 35mm film the revolutionary movements of Cuba and the so-called “Third World.”

Released in August 1968 at the peak of the Party’s popularity, this newsreel episode employs an eclectic montage of stills images, TV, film footage, satirical commentary, and a compelling soundtrack. It touches upon issues of repression, resistance to police brutality, the militarization of police forces, and the controversial use of tear gas against civilian populations, issues that continue to resonate today.

Tears, Race & Bullets is the second in a series of installations by the artist exploring the documentary heritage of Latin America as reflected on UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register. The Register is an international initiative established in 1992 and dedicated to protecting the world’s documentary heritage.

This work was produced with the support of the City of Toronto through the Toronto Arts Council, La Bande Video (Québec City), and the Cinematheque of Cuba. 
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