Chile, Obstinate Memory
Directed by Patricio Guzmán
Review by James Vassilopoulos
September 11, 1973, is a date chiselled into the consciousness of the Chilean people. It was the day of the coup d'etat by General Augusto Pinochet against the elected government of the left social democrat, Salvador Allende.
Guzmán's first documentary, The Battle of Chile, was an epic account of the nine-month build-up to that dreaded day. It was perhaps the most brilliant political documentary ever made about the events. Excerpts are included in Guzmán's latest doco, Chile, Obstinate Memory.
That first film might never have been seen but for it being smuggled out, reel by reel, in Canadian diplomatic bags. Although it has been shown in 35 countries and picked up six top awards, it still has not been distributed in Chile because it is political dynamite.
Five hours long, The Battle of Chile showed the twists and turns of the struggle of the military, the CIA and capital against the left-wing Unidad Popular (Popular Unity), elected in March 1973. It follows the mounting violence unleashed by the right and the formation in response of "people's power" groups calling for arms to defend the government.
The most shocking scenes are of jet fighters, swooping like dark bats from hell, destroying the presidential palace and murdering Allende.
In Chile, Obstinate Memory, Guzmán returns to Chile 24 years after the coup and shows The Battle of Chile to groups of Chileans for the first time. The film is not a commentary about present-day Chile, nor does it attempt to discuss the political lessons of the coup.
Guzmán shows the Battle of Chile to comrades of Allende. They see themselves in the documentary and their friends who have disappeared. They relive the best days of the reformist government and also what became the worst days of their lives. By viewing the first film, they begin to deal with a volatile cocktail of emotions: joy, anger and betrayal.
There are scenes of high school students debating the events of 1973 after they have watched The Battle of Chile. Most repeat the official view: the coup brought stability; it was right to conquer communism; Allende's forces were out of control.
Guzmán shows the film to some university students. Their response is that of someone who suddenly realises that what they thought was true is a lie and what they considered lies are true. Some burst out crying. Another is angry when he realises why his brother died. Another is mute, thrown into an almost catatonic state.
The music of Satie, the First Gymnopedie, adds to the haunting mood of the documentary.
If Chile, Obstinate Memory comes to television, watch it. If you can get hold of it, get The Battle of Chile on video.
The key political lesson from Chile 1973 is that the capitalists will not give up their wealth willingly, even if the majority say they must. They will use violence against democratic governments, time and time again. For workers and the poor to have power, they must take it by force.
The only negative comments I have about the screening I attended — as part of 45th Sydney Film Festival — were the poor subtitles and the geek nearby who was crunching on corn chips at the most delicate and heartfelt moments in the documentary.