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Our Disappeared
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Wikipedia article
'Our Disappeared / Nuestros Desaparecidos' is an Argentinian documentary film about the 'desaparecidos' (the "disappeared ones") in Argentina. Written, produced and directed by Juan Mandelbaum. It is in English and Spanish with English subtitles. Another version of the film exists in Spanish and English with Spanish subtitles. Its running time is 1 hour and 39 minutes.
Synopsis
' Our Disappeared / Nuestros Desaparecidos' is director Juan Mandelbaums personal search for friends and loved ones who were caught in the vise of the military and disappeared in his native Argentina during the 19761983 military dictatorship. The film is a personal journey into the past to reflect on the political and personal contexts that led so many young people to fight for a more just Argentina.
After finding out that Patricia, a long lost girlfriend, is among the desaparecidos Mandelbaum returns to Argentina to find out what happened to her and others he knew who also disappeared. As he revisits the dreams they shared for a revolution that would transform Argentina he grieves the tragic losses and examines his own choices: not signing up with any of the radical groups at his university and leaving Argentina in 1977 at the height of the repression, to escape the pervasive climate of fear. Using extraordinary archival footage, Mandelbaum brings the energy and tension of the time and place to life.
In this return voyage to Argentinas past Mandelbaum learns much about his friends tragic stories, and about his own. Now we can hear from three generations affected by the state of terror, and the passage of time allows for deeper reflections. Thirty years after the military coup Mandelbaum explores what happens when brutal regimes attack the fabric of a country with great impunity, causing enormous suffering that lasts for generations. The pain that seemed so distant is still very much present.
Credits
Written, Produced and Directed by Juan Mandelbaum
Edited and Co-Produced by David Carnochan
Director of Photography Vicente Franco
Music Composed by Gustavo Moretto
Festivals and screenings
'Our Disappeared / Nuestros Desaparecidos' has appeared at numerous film festivals, museums and cultural centers, including:
CINE Golden Eagle Competition, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival, Santa Barbara International Film Festival, New York Jewish Film Festival, Human Rights Watch International Film Festival, Museum of Modern Art, New York, Worcester Latino Film Festival, Cartagena International Film Festival, Colombia, Athens International Film + Video Festival, Chicago Latino Film Festival, Finger Lakes Environmental Film Festival, Syracuse International Film Festival, Berkshire International Film Festival, Skirball Cultural Center, Los Angeles
It aired on the television series Independent Lens in September 2009.
Articles and reviews
[https://www.variety.com/review/VE1117938546.html?categoryid=31&cs=1 'Our Disappeared' review] by Robert Koehler, 'Variety' (September 29, 2008)
[https://www.boston.com/ae/movies/articles/2008/10/16/grieving_the_personal_and_political_losses_of_a_revolution/ Grieving the Personal and the Political Losses of a Revolution] by Wesley Morris, 'The Boston Globe' (October 16, 2008)
[https://articles.latimes.com/2008/sep/12/entertainment/et-latino12 'Our Disappeared' Revisits a Dark Chapter in Argentina's History] by Reed Johnson, 'Los Angeles Times' (September 12, 2008)
[https://www.boston.com/ae/movies/articles/2008/10/11/searching_for_the_disappeared/ Searching for the Disappeared] by Linda Matchan, 'The Boston Globe' (October 12, 2008)
[http://www.wickedlocal.com/brookline/news/x1157483261/Brookline-filmmaker-turns-lens-on-Argentina-s-vanished-residents Brookline Filmmaker Turns Lens on Argentina's Vanished Residents] by Ed Symkus, The Brookline Tab (October 16, 2008)
'(Spanish)' [http://www.tuboston.com/article-992-documental-nuestros-desaparecidos-la-necesidad-de-remover-el-pasado.html Documental Nuestros Desaparecidos: La Necesidad de Remover el Pasado] by Virginia Gmez, TuBoston.com (October 3, 2008)
Awards
CINE Golden Eagle Award
Gerald Peary's [http://thephoenix.com/BLOGS/outsidetheframe/archive/2008/12/29/more-bests-and-worsts.aspx Top 10 of 2008] for 'The Boston Phoenix'
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