CINE_TEMPO

This research project explores the utilization of extended duration in cinema to portray reproductive labour, focusing on cinematic durational aesthetics as a means of capturing the enduring nature of social reproduction. Social reproduction encompasses the multitude of activities essential for sustaining and replenishing society, including cooking, eating, and various caregiving tasks historically assigned to women. The distinction between productive and reproductive labour has been extensively theorized, particularly by Marxist feminists who argue for the recognition of reproductive labour's contribution to surplus value. This proposal seeks to examine how extended duration in cinema can illuminate the temporality of reproductive labour, challenging conventional notions of filmic temporality and engaging with a feminist analytical framework.

While the term "slow cinema" has gained prominence in film studies literature, often associated with filmmakers who employ extended duration as an aesthetic practice, its treatment of temporality in relation to reproductive labour remains underexplored. Despite assertions vis-à-vis the way “slow cinema” may heighten viewer awareness and challenge conventional narrative structures, there is a lacuna in understanding how prolonged duration intersects with the activities of social reproduction. By scrutinizing the ways in which cinematic temporality complements the representation of rhythms of daily life and reproductive labour, this research aims to contribute to a nuanced understanding of the political implications of “slow cinema” and its capacity to render visible the enduring nature of reproductive labour.