Abstract

We present here the process of researching, organizing and cataloguing a personal archive gathered from different sources, devices, and materials, with the aim of providing the historical foundation for the feature-length documentary ‘Under Emmy’s Gaze’ (‘Sob o Olhar de Emmy’). Although rooted in family history, the project also carries significant social and historical relevance. It is based on photographs, personal diaries, and photo albums created by the protagonist, Emmy. The archive also includes official documents - such as certificates, contracts, letters, postcards, and even an arrest warrant—which contributes to the construction of the narrative that will underpin the documentary. The criteria adopted for organizing the collection, begins with the chronological arrangement of photographs connected to family manuscripts and to Emmys photo albums, which document ways of life before, during, and after the two World Wars. In addition to these materials, the collection comprises approximately 600 glass-plate photographs and 13 reels of 9.5 mm negative film. During the archival process, duplicated photographs are removed while unique images are preserved, including those that are small in size or physically deteriorated. The materials are then categorized according to subject, location and people, in order to fill narrative gaps and weave together individual memory, family history, and significant historical events. Once the initial selection process is completed, photos and films will undergo digitization, followed by a more detailed and careful restoration process aimed at enhancing their resolution and image quality for presentation on large screens.