Founded in 1613 by the Jesuit Order, the UNC = Universidad Nacional de Cordoba (National University of Córdoba) is the oldest in Argentina. By the beginning of the twentieth century the University had fallen into an anachronistic pattern not unlike that of some American universities. Its objective became the forming of a ruling elite and its ideology featured racial, colonial and reactionary religious elements. Faculty and administrators were appointed sometimes on merit but also on connections and/or usefulness to the system.
In 1918 there there was a student protest that became an uprising called Reforma Universitaria (University Reform). The objective of the Reforma was to open the University to everybody, not just to the wealthy, have the faculty appointed by merit, eliminate the influence of the Church and democratize the administration. The movement extended to other Argentine universities and resulted in a system of government called "reformism", where faculty and students have decision power and universities are autonomous entities. A fundamental principle was: universities should be free; no tuition or fees. The system extended to other universities and has endured with some modifications until today, although it was temporarily suppressed by various military dictatorships. State universities traditionally take special care of people that have to work for a living (extension courses, quiz sections outside working hours).
The plot: Ángela, 57 years old, is a cook at one of the UNC canteens. Her postponed dream has always been to study acting, which she is doing now. She has difficulties to accommodate her working hours with classes. Her fellow students and her professor are supportive (the latter with reservations) but her boss complains. Her acting class is rehearsing a play that seeks to reintroduce the spirit of the Reform to the new generations.
This film was the result of a workshop. Students from the Departments of Film, TV and Theater of the School of Arts of the UNC participated in the process, from script writing to acting to post-production (as usual. Director Rosendo Ruiz elicits excellent performances from amateurs). It was partly financed by the UNC. It will be of interest to Argentinians, but perhaps there is a lesson for Americans too, at a time where universities created for the public (like the UC system) are only accessible to the wealthy; even state colleges are far from free.
In 1918 there there was a student protest that became an uprising called Reforma Universitaria (University Reform). The objective of the Reforma was to open the University to everybody, not just to the wealthy, have the faculty appointed by merit, eliminate the influence of the Church and democratize the administration. The movement extended to other Argentine universities and resulted in a system of government called "reformism", where faculty and students have decision power and universities are autonomous entities. A fundamental principle was: universities should be free; no tuition or fees. The system extended to other universities and has endured with some modifications until today, although it was temporarily suppressed by various military dictatorships. State universities traditionally take special care of people that have to work for a living (extension courses, quiz sections outside working hours).
The plot: Ángela, 57 years old, is a cook at one of the UNC canteens. Her postponed dream has always been to study acting, which she is doing now. She has difficulties to accommodate her working hours with classes. Her fellow students and her professor are supportive (the latter with reservations) but her boss complains. Her acting class is rehearsing a play that seeks to reintroduce the spirit of the Reform to the new generations.
This film was the result of a workshop. Students from the Departments of Film, TV and Theater of the School of Arts of the UNC participated in the process, from script writing to acting to post-production (as usual. Director Rosendo Ruiz elicits excellent performances from amateurs). It was partly financed by the UNC. It will be of interest to Argentinians, but perhaps there is a lesson for Americans too, at a time where universities created for the public (like the UC system) are only accessible to the wealthy; even state colleges are far from free.
