ABSTRACT
Although rear projection is best remembered as a special effect of classic Hollywood, it was also a commonly utilised system in Brazilian movie theatres during the silent era. The chapter considers the case study of rear projection to emphasise the importance of space and geography, which have historically received less attention than time and history in early cinema studies and media archaeology. Reevaluating geography involves examining early cinema practices in countries like Brazil, frequently marginalised in research that is focused almost exclusively on the Global North. Highlighting space encompasses the exploration of the significance of the sobrados (townhouses) in the adoption of rear projection technology in Brazilian movie theatres.
