From villages to screens: Indigenous Cinema as a path to implementing Law No. 11.645/2008

Abstract

The article analyzes Indigenous Cinema as a pedagogical tool for implementing Law No. 11.645/2008, which makes the teaching of Indigenous and Afro-Brazilian history and culture mandatory in Basic Education. Drawing on Indigenous and non-Indigenous authors, the study discusses the break with the hegemony of knowledge and the construction of anti-racist education. It argues that Indigenous Cinema, by promoting self-representation, deconstructs stereotypes and highlights Indigenous epistemologies in the school environment. The challenges of implementing the law are addressed, such as the lack of teaching materials and the need for specific teacher training. The text highlights examples of Indigenous filmmakers and collectives, showing how their productions can be integrated into the curriculum to expand the understanding of contemporary Indigenous cultures. It concludes that Indigenous Cinema strengthens the identity and memory of Indigenous peoples, constituting an essential foundation for critical, plural, and counter-colonial education.