It was an aesthetic movement with an ambitious program: linguistic innovation as a means of liberation from Romanticism and Neoclassicism, and as a way to clarify Latin American identity. As this program explains, Modernismo coincided with a burst of interest in stories and accounts that were tied to the creation of independent nation states. Viewers will discover valuable insights regarding this cultural tidal wave and the ways in which it transformed the novel, lyrical poetry, and nonfiction prose into highly original shapes. The achievements of Rubén Darío, José Martí, Manuel Gutiérrez Nájera, José Asunción Silva, and other seminal writers are examined, along with the external influences of the Symbolists and the Parnassian Poets. An FFH&S/Tranquilo Production. (51 minutes)