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Once again, I'd like to thank Isabel Fondevila, Director of Programing at the Roxie Theatre, for making me the co-presenter of their Chilean programing. This upcoming film, The Battle of Chile, directed by Patricio Guzmán, is a true honor. This documentary is the subject of film curriculums at major universities nationwide and this recently released restoration coincides with the 50th year commemoration of the tragic coup d'état that changed the hearts and souls of Chileans forever. They say that up to September 11, 1973, Chile was still innocent.
I was 14 years old, living in Chile with my grandparents, and I witnessed the jets bombing la Moneda, the presidential palace. My grandmother understood the gravity and significance of the moment we witnessed. I didn't. I had just changed into my school uniform as Allende's final radio speech reverberated throughout the house. That day, I did not go to school and instead I learned for the first time that there was such a thing as a curfew. My parents were in New York City and my siblings and I joined them the following year, leaving Chile for good.
It wasn't until years later, when I lived in the San Francisco Bay Area during the early 80s and I started going to La Peña Cultural Center, that was instated in solidarity with the Chilean exile community, that I understood, in my twenties, what I had witnessed as a 14-year-old. At La Peña, I saw for the first time The Battle of Chile. At the show, I asked for the movie poster. I knew it had historical significance. That poster has travelled with me over the years, back and forth between San Francisco, Chile, and New York City. Today it hangs at Chile Lindo Kitchen Culture.
This documentary chronicles in real time the political tension in Chile during Salvador Allende's government between 1970 and 1973. It foreshadows what followed. However, its focus is on the machinations that led to the coup and it ends with the bombing of the Palacio de la Moneda. It's a slice of history that proves how little we control, how fragile our democracies are, and how our destinies can change radically overnight. I highly recommend it.
Patricio Guzmán was this year's recipient of Chile’s National Arts Prize in the Audiovisual and Representation category.
"The jury unanimously resolved to award the 2023 National Award for Representation and Audiovisual Arts to the filmmaker, screenwriter, researcher, producer, film theorist and teacher Patricio Guzmán Lozanes, wrote Chile’s Ministry of Culture."
I will be in person at the Roxie Theatre introducing the film on:
The Battle of Chile (Parts l & ll): Friday, September 9th, 7:00 PM
Tickets
The Battle of Chile (Part lll): Sunday, September 17th, 4:50 PM
Tickets
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