The Archives of Jorge Prelorán
Glimpse the remote and rugged lives of rancheros in the western Pampas of Argentina 40 years ago, or watch an Afro-American dance ensemble in Poland in the 1950s, or meet the Warao people of Venezuela in 1974: The eclectic and heartfelt ethnographic documentaries of Argentine filmmaker Jorge Prelorán will transport you, and make you feel like a real connoisseur of obscure documentary film.
Prelorán is revered as the father of film ethnobiographies, and archivists in the Anthropology department of the Smithsonian Institution have cataloged, organized, and in some cases, digitized, his works. Their new website launched recently and features a look into this impressive collection of all things Prelorán: films, film outtakes, books, audio recordings and even papers- correspondence and photographs that, if stacked, would topple at 23 feet tall.
On the website you’ll find video clips, an interactive map showing the sites of Prelorán’s many documentaries (he completed 60 films), digital photo books and information on how old film reels were preserved for the archives. The physical collection is available to the public and researchers by appointment at the Smithsonian’s Human Studies Film Archives in Suitland, Maryland. If you’re nice, they’ll even burn and send you a disk so you can organize your own Prelorán screening!
Image courtesy of: Human Studies Film Archives, Smithsonian Institution. Photograph by Lorenzo Kelly. Photographs Series, Jorge Prelorán Collection: sihsfa_2007_10_19b.
Related Topics
Go Further
Animals
- This ‘saber-toothed’ salmon wasn’t quite what we thoughtThis ‘saber-toothed’ salmon wasn’t quite what we thought
- Why this rhino-zebra friendship makes perfect senseWhy this rhino-zebra friendship makes perfect sense
- When did bioluminescence evolve? It’s older than we thought.When did bioluminescence evolve? It’s older than we thought.
- Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?
- This pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilienceThis pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilience
Environment
- This pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilienceThis pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilience
- Listen to 30 years of climate change transformed into haunting musicListen to 30 years of climate change transformed into haunting music
- This ancient society tried to stop El Niño—with child sacrificeThis ancient society tried to stop El Niño—with child sacrifice
- U.S. plans to clean its drinking water. What does that mean?U.S. plans to clean its drinking water. What does that mean?
History & Culture
- Séances at the White House? Why these first ladies turned to the occultSéances at the White House? Why these first ladies turned to the occult
- Gambling is everywhere now. When is that a problem?Gambling is everywhere now. When is that a problem?
- Beauty is pain—at least it was in 17th-century SpainBeauty is pain—at least it was in 17th-century Spain
- The real spies who inspired ‘The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare’The real spies who inspired ‘The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare’
- Heard of Zoroastrianism? The religion still has fervent followersHeard of Zoroastrianism? The religion still has fervent followers
Science
- Here's how astronomers found one of the rarest phenomenons in spaceHere's how astronomers found one of the rarest phenomenons in space
- Not an extrovert or introvert? There’s a word for that.Not an extrovert or introvert? There’s a word for that.
- NASA has a plan to clean up space junk—but is going green enough?NASA has a plan to clean up space junk—but is going green enough?
- Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?
- Can aspirin help protect against colorectal cancers?Can aspirin help protect against colorectal cancers?
Travel
- What it's like to hike the Camino del Mayab in MexicoWhat it's like to hike the Camino del Mayab in Mexico
- Follow in the footsteps of Robin Hood in Sherwood ForestFollow in the footsteps of Robin Hood in Sherwood Forest
- This chef is taking Indian cuisine in a bold new directionThis chef is taking Indian cuisine in a bold new direction
- On the path of Latin America's greatest wildlife migrationOn the path of Latin America's greatest wildlife migration
- Everything you need to know about Everglades National ParkEverything you need to know about Everglades National Park