Immigration, cultural diversity, class, and gender in Gaijin: Roads to freedom

ABSTRACT

This article contributes to studies on Japanese immigration to Brazil at the beginning of the 20th century, based on historical data and mostly on the film “Gaijin: paths to freedom” by Tizuka Yamasaki. The film premiered at the beginning of 1980, was well received by national and international critics and projected the director towards new cinematographic productions. Gaijin sheds light on the place of immigration and immigrants as central elements in the production of cultural diversity and social inequalities and helps us understand Brazilian society, particularly São Paulo, in the beginning of 20^th. In this context, we access an approach of social reality characterized by cultural diversity and by social, economic and pollical inequalities in which immigrant women emerge as protagonists.

Keywords:
Japanese immigration; cultural diversity; social inequalities; female protagonism; Gaijin: os caminos da liberdade