Sagrado y obsceno: Between the Character of the Rebel, Social Types and Local Colour

Abstract

From the analysis of the film Sagrado y obsceno (Román Chalbaud, Venezuela, 1975) we distinguish the character of the rebel, to notice some social types introduced in the story, to establish if the presence of local colour by means of stylistic features from costumbrismo contradicts the realistic approach that seems to justify a main part of the prevailing filmic form of the text. In order to reach those objectives we contrast the main character’s features with those of the character of the rebel; outlining the way the rest of the dramatis personae may be represented as far as actual social types or mere replications of collective imaginary stereotypes; finally establishing the way using costumbrismo and local colour reinforces or weakens the conceptual and narrative proposal present in the film.