College of Arts and Letters Professor Debuts Book at International Book Fair of Lima

Maria Claudia Huerta Vera, Ph.D., assistant professor of Spanish, has published a new book examining the role of film in shaping cultural memory of Peru’s internal armed conflict.

Her book, Historia, memoria y cine documental. Imágenes del conflicto armado interno peruano (History, Memory, and Documentary Film: Images of the Peruvian Internal Armed Conflict), was released by the Universidad Antonio Ruiz de Montoya Press as part of the collection Contributions to a Cultural History of Contemporary Peru. The collection debuted on July 31 at the International Book Fair of Lima, one of Latin America’s most significant literary events.

“This work is an opportunity to not only contribute to international scholarship, but also to bring these conversations into my teaching here at Idaho State,” said Huerta Vera.

The book explores how documentary and fiction films portray Peru’s conflict between 1980 and 2000, addressing processes of censorship, public debate, and memory construction. Huerta Vera draws a “filmic cartography” that analyzes both the narratives of violence and the circulation of these images in society. Her scholarship has already gained recognition in Peruvian media, where outlets have recommended her book to a national audience.

Huerta Vera plans to donate copies of her book to the ISU Library, ensuring students and the community can engage with her research.

Originally from Peru, Huerta Vera earned a bachelor's degree in history from the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú and master's and doctoral degrees in Latin American literatures and cultures from the University of California, Davis. Her research interests include memory studies, human rights, testimony and trauma, and the cultural representation of political violence in Latin America.

At ISU, Dr. Huerta Vera teaches undergraduate and graduate courses on Latin American Literature, Film, and Culture. She creates safe and supportive learning environments that promote curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking.

For more information about the book collection, visit the Universidad Antonio Ruiz de Montoya website.