Mexican Waves

This book, Mexican Waves: Cinema, Television, Transmedia, explores the dynamic landscape of contemporary Mexican audiovisual storytelling, offering an in-depth examination of the works of influential filmmakers, television creators, and transmedia artists. By analyzing the convergence of these media, the book provides a comprehensive understanding of their evolution and socio-cultural impact. Key concepts include the interplay between cinema, television, and transmedia, with chapters dedicated to the works of renowned directors like Alejandro González Iñárritu and the rise of quality television series. The book also uncovers unexpected connections between art cinema and digital platforms such as YouTube, highlighting how these media address pressing themes like feminism and queer identity. Through close textual analysis and industrial context, readers will gain insights into the innovative narratives shaping Mexican media today. This essential volume is designed for scholars and students of media studies and Latin American studies, as well as anyone interested in the transformative power of storytelling. By presenting previously unstudied primary texts now accessible via streaming, the book invites readers to engage with the vibrant and evolving world of Mexican audiovisual culture. Paul Julian Smith is Distinguished Professor in the Comparative Literature Program and Latin American, Iberian, and Latinx Cultures at the Graduate Center in City University of New York, USA. He was previously the Professor of Spanish in the University of Cambridge, UK. He is the author of 25 books and over 100 academic articles. His most recent books are Queer Mexico: Cinema and Television since 2000 (2017); Spanish and Latin American Television Drama: Genre and Format Translation (2018), Multiplatform Media in Mexico: Growth and Change Since 2010 (Palgrave Macmillan, 2019); Mexican Gender, Mexican Genres: Cinema, Television, and Streaming Since 2010 (2021); Reimagining History in Contemporary Spanish Media: Theatre, Cinema, Television, Streaming (2021); and Y tu mama también: Film Classic (2022). Follow him on X: @pauljuliansmith