Antes do filme, a revoluçãoo caso do Jornal Cinematográfico Nacional (1975-1977)

Abstract

This research has the Jornal Cinematográfico Nacional , a newsreel produced between 1975 and 1977, the years that followed the Portuguese revolution of 25 April, as its focus. Its central purpose is to understand how this newsreel portrayed the events of such a significant period in Portugal’s recent history and, simultaneously, to explore the conception of this type of film. The media, and the roles they played in the Carnation Revolution, have been an increasing subject of study, with ever more varied and complete analyses of the revolutionary and postrevolutionary period: the abolition of prior censorship, and its replacement by other control mechanisms, ideological confrontations within the established news media, and the creation of new ones, the opening to new themes, and, in general, an information marked by militancy, political and partisan participation are some of the aspects addressed. In the film sector, the analysis shows a cinematography put at the service of the revolution in its creative and production forms. From these perspectives, what the images and sounds of the April revolution offer us, as a support for the memory of a time that saw the foundations of Portuguese democracy, is of undeniable value. The Jornal Cinematográfico Nacional is a relevant example of filmed news production, especially given its circumstances and characteristics, and has never, until now, been a central research topic. We approach it as a case study, combining different methodological contributions in its treatment. The analysis of its editions is complemented by documentary research and information collected from professionals who integrated its structure. With this study, we hope to contribute to the consideration of newsreel film in Portuguese audiovisual history and memory. And to a wider discussion about the media, where we include web platforms and social networks, as instruments for the dissemination and critical understanding of the value of this audiovisual heritage.