A recepção da telenovela Órfãos da Terra e a representação de migrantes e refugiados no Brasil

Abstract

This dissertation proposed to investigate the reception of the soap opera Órfãos da Terra by migrants, descendants of migrants and Brazilians, in order to understand whether a soap opera, acting as a communicative resource, by representing migrants and people in situations of refuge, in the debate and reflection on the thematic migration, based on citizenship and human rights. The work also recognizes whether this media representation, based on the interpretations of the recipients, contributes to breaking or reinforcing stereotypes, and to possible intercultural relations between migrant and Brazilian recipients. The research uses soap opera reception studies as a basis, having as a basic assumption that the subjects are producers of meanings, who negotiate, reinterpret and rework the media messages. It starts from a qualitative research approach, combining bibliographic, exploratory and empirical steps and procedures. In the bibliographic research, works were identified for the formation of the theoretical framework of the present research. Soap operas are understood as a communicative resource (LOPES, 2009) that builds media representations (HALL, 2006) of social themes, which can contribute to the discussion of the migratory agenda and possible intercultural relations (PARDO, 2008) of different groups and ethnicities. In addition to acting on social inclusion and respect for cultural differences, media representations can point out limits on the agenda of social issues, such as stereotyped cultures and identities. The exploratory stage of the research was carried out in two phases: description of Órfãos da Terra, in the search for materials and curiosities about authors, plots and production; and survey and descriptive analysis of the social networks built by the receivers using the name of the soap opera. At this stage, groups of migrants in Brazil were also mapped to find mainly migrant recipients and descendants of migrants. After questionnaires were applied, they were identified with ten viewers, in order to deepen the answers. Through the results obtained, it was concluded that a telenovela was intended to guide the migratory theme, when trying to break down stereotypes and present the problems and difficulties of human mobility, acting as a communicative resource. However, it was found that stereotyped representations of migrant identities, such as the reproduction of characters and cultures reduced to only a few characteristics. In addition, Órfãos da Terra fostered an interculturality not only between different migrant cultures, but also between migrant and Brazilian cultures. Through empathy and awareness, revealed that it is possible to respect differences and live in harmony. Finally, it acted as a narrative of the nation, making the recipients, mainly migrants and descendants of migrants, recognize themselves through the migratory theme and migrant identities.