Abstract

The paper provides some essay-style discussions on portraying the other in (inter)national relations, via cinematic political images and stories of closing and distancing encounters of ‘selves’ and ‘others’ within and across states'' borders and boundaries. Via political-sociological textualisation, reading/interpretation and commentary, the paper offers some insights and analyses on relations of space, time, alterity and notions of self(ves) and other(s), towards a ‘self-otherness argument’ that considers the relation self-other as a doubled character relevant in (inter)national relations. The following films/movie pictures will be discussed in the paper: "Terra Estrangeira" (Walter Salles & Daniela Thomas), "The Visitor" (Thomas McCarthy).