The autobiography turned into movie

We recommend watching the film Machuca because it allows us to address different topics in the classroom: gender, autobiography, subjectivity, and the historical context of the 70's in Latin America and in the world. Therefore, the movie can be used in classes of Language, Communication and History.

Moreover, since the film is told from the perspective of two 11 year old children, the potential debate that can artise among students of the same age group can be very interesting. 

This resource should be used to complement the theoretical analysis of the autobiographies in the classroom. Therefore, it is important to define and characterize an autobiography before watching the film, as well as to provide materials and carry out some preparation activities.

The purpose of the exercise is to discover: what specific elements identify an autobiography; its differences from a drama; and the importance of this distinction. Moreover, it can help to understand what is fiction and what is reality in a movie.

We recommend that, as a conclusion activity, students draft an initial outline of their own autobiography.