Worse than fiction: Imágenes y discurso de la tortura

Abstract

This article explores the current situation of torture in connection with the main artistic, cinematographic, literary representations and some non-fiction images. First, the relation between torture and political power is recalled. Historical, plastic, literary and cinematographic examples of a mimesis of torture are traced while their most important features are pointed out. At present, there is a double change in the representation of torture: on the one hand, a greater presence of elements that point to the idea of frivolity; on the other hand, there are significant examples of ambiguous or, directly apologetic films. Some other developments related to our time are pointed out as well the features that distinguish it from the long history of judicial torment, denunciation in narrative terms and the iconology of torture are pointed out.