197. My Imaginary Country ( Mi país imaginario); movie review

 

MY IMAGINARY COUNTRY ( MI PAÍS IMAGINARIO)

Cert 15

88 mins

BBFC advice: Contains strong real violence, threat

Britain is imperfect. Our politicians have much to answer for and our health and education systems are creaking.

But we haven't resorted to mass demonstrations because of government repression...yet.

Chileans had thought their days of living in fear of the government, the police and the military were behind them after the defeat of the dictator Pinochet in 1990.

However, the right-wing isn't far away in this South American country and the authorities still held a firm hand over its people.

Therefore, in October 2019, one and a half million people demonstrated in the streets of Santiago for more democracy.

Key to this would be a better education, a better health system and a new constitution. 

The Government's reaction was firm and 29 people died, more than 2,000 were injured and nearly 3,000 were arrested.

But the young and, especially women, would not be defeated and the protests continued.

My Imaginary Country brings a sense of deja vu to veteran moviemaker Patricio Guzmán who directed The Battle of Chile, a five-hour trilogy on the government of Salvador Allende and its fall in 1973.

Fifty years later, he was in the streets again, recording the emotions of his fellow Chileans after the 2019 uprising.

Amid the scenes from demonstrations are contributions from women who are empathetic with the struggle which ultimately leads to a new left-wing leader.

Consequently, it is an important record - even if it is only a slice of time - showing that the public can win against the oppressors.

It is an intoxicating message and a compelling film.

Reasons to watch: Enlightening documentary

Reasons to avoid: Background knowledge needed

Laughs: None

Jumps: None

Vomit: None

Nudity: None

Overall rating: 7.5/10

Did you know?  In May 2023, Chile’s far right won an emphatic victory in a vote to select the committee to rewrite its dictatorship-era constitution after José Antonio Kast’s Republican party secured 22 of its 50 seats in a major blow to the progressive president Gabriel Boric.

The final word. Patricio Guzmán: "It's a difficult and complicated country. What we mean by an imaginary country is that the future is not written, and these protestors are working towards a society that they would like and hope to see. It's the future country that's imaginary until it comes to pass." Cineuropa

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