Films about the Chilean dictatorship often depict the political and social unrest that occurred during this period. These films aim to shed light on the human rights violations, political oppression, and the resilience of the people living under the dictatorship. The stories told in these films are often deeply emotional and thought-provoking, providing insight into a dark chapter in Chile's history.
“No”, 2012
Director: Pablo Larrain
This film follows the advertising campaign that aimed to defeat General Augusto Pinochet in the 1988 referendum. The movie depicts the power of advertising and propaganda in influencing public opinion during a pivotal moment in Chilean history.
Starring: Gael García Bernal, Alfredo Castro, Luis Gnecco, Néstor Cantillana, Antonia Zegers, Marcial Tagle, Pascal Montero, Jaime Vadell, Elsa Poblete, Diego Muñoz, Roberto Farías, Sergio Hernández, Manuela Oyarzún, Paloma Moreno, César Caillet, Pablo Krögh, Patricio Achurra, Amparo Noguera, Alejandro Goic, Carlos Cabezas, Claudia Cabezas, Paulo Brunetti, Iñigo Urrutia, Patricio Aylwin, Eugenio Tironi, Juan Forch, Eugenio García, Juan Gabriel Valdés, Jaime de Aguirre, Florcita Motuda, Patricio Bañados, Osvaldo Silva, Carmen María Pascal, María Teresa Bacigalupe, Cecilia Echeñique, Tati Pena, Javiera Parra, Isabel Parra, Cristina Parra, Milena Rojas, Carlos Caszely, Gabriela Medina, Malucha Pinto, Maitén Montenegro, Jorge Yáñez, Claudio Narea, Marco Antonio de la Parra, Ana María Gazmuri, Marcela Medel;
Production year: 2012;
Genre: drama, history;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 115 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,4;
More information about the film “No” on the website imdb.com
“Machuca”, 2004
Director: Andrés Wood
Set in Santiago during Salvador Allende's government and the subsequent military coup, this film tells the story of the unlikely friendship between two boys from different social classes. It portrays the impact of the political turmoil on the lives of ordinary people, particularly children.
Starring: Matías Quer, Ariel Mateluna, Manuela Martelli, Aline Küppenheim, Ernesto Malbran, Tamara Acosta, Francisco Reyes, Alejandro Trejo, Maria Olga Matte, Gabriela Medina, Luis Dubó, Andrea García-Huidobro, Tiago Correa, Pablo Krögh, Federico Luppi, Alfredo Ahumada, Daniel Alcino, Jack Arama, David Arancibia, Cristóbal Aravena, Luis Bascuñán, Julio Briceno, Mauricio Bustos, Francisca Concha, Vladimir Dubo, Samuel Echeverria, Lucas Edwards, Benjamin Fernandez, Joaquim Fernández, Matias Field, Alejandro Golz, Carlos Gonzalez, Samuel Guajardo, Nicolás Guiloff, Claudio Gutierrez, Andrea Herman, Francisca Imboden, Franco Jorquero, Alejandro Kellner, Juan Krogh, Sebastián Labarca, Jean Larrabure, Catherine Mazoyer, Juan Pablo Miranda, Verónica Moraga, Felipe Navarrete, Victor Hugo Ogaz, Moisés Olivares, Cristóbal Osario, Tomás Osorio;
Production year: 2004;
Genre: drama, biography, history;
Age: 18+;
Duration: 116 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,7;
More information about the film “Machuca” on the website imdb.com
“Missing”, 2023
Director: Nicholas D. Johnson, Will Merrick
Based on a true story, this film follows the disappearance of an American journalist during the 1973 Chilean coup d'état. Directed by Costa-Gavras, it offers a gripping portrayal of the human cost of the military dictatorship.
Starring: Storm Reid, Nia Long, Joaquim de Almeida, Ken Leung, Amy Landecker, Daniel Henney, Tim Griffin, Ava Zaria Lee, Kimberly Cheng, Megan Suri, Lisa Yamada, Sharar Ali-Speakes, Jameel Shivji, Michael Segovia, Lauren B. Mosley, Rick Chambers, Tracy Vilar, Viviana Salinas, Juan Carlos Goméz Ortega, Briana McLean, Monica Bhatnagar, Roy Abramsohn, Danielle Nottingham, Thomas Barbusca, Esteban Dager, Sean O'Bryan, Karina Noelle Castillo, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Zeke Alton, Billie Jordan, Dalila Ali Rajah, Jill Smith, Oscar Camacho, Scott Menville, Wolfie Trausch, Kelly Stables, Javier Grajeda, Mauricio Mendoza, Sean Berube, Ren Burttet, Christopher Hin, Jalil Jay Lynch, Jerry Marr, Marcello Padilla, Jill Remez, Rita Rucker;
Production year: 2023;
Genre: detective, thriller, drama;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 111 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,1;
More information about the film “Missing” on the website imdb.com
“Post Mortem”, 2020
Director: Péter Bergendy
Set during the 1973 military coup in Chile, this film focuses on a morgue clerk who becomes involved with a dancer during the violent chaos that erupts following the coup. It provides a haunting portrayal of the personal tragedies that unfolded during this period.
Starring: Viktor Klem, Fruzsina Hais, Judit Schell, Zsolt Anger, Gábor Reviczky, Gabriella Hámori, Andrea Ladányi, Erik Gyarmati, Diána Magdolna Kiss, Mari Nagy, András Balogh, István Fazekas, Tamás Miklós Hajdu, Kristóf Mucsi, Ildikó Tóth, Áron Dimény, Márta Szabó, Eszter Kiss, Krisztina Czifra, Philip Tóth, Gellér Dávid, Katalin Fodor, Hajna Sziládi, Zsuzsanna Báthory, Attila Hammel, Attila Chren, Bence Mezei, Gabriella Rusorán, Klára Éberhardt, Rita Góbi, István Göz, Géza Kovács, Renátó Miskolczi, Janos Olah, Tamás Bakó, Lilla Lesó, Dóra Furulyás, Ágoston Sáfrány, Luca Csoma, László Pap, Attila Téglás, Szabolcs Pocskai, Bence Vados, Istvan Bacsek, Varga Luca, Gábor Hellebrandt, Björn Freiberg, Balázs Veres;
Production year: 2020;
Genre: horror;
Age: 18+;
Duration: 115 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 5,5;
These films offer a glimpse into the complexities of life during the Chilean dictatorship, exploring themes of resistance, loss, and the enduring human spirit in the face of adversity.
In the selection of films about the Chilean dictatorship, one thing becomes abundantly clear: the power of cinema to shed light on dark periods of history and give voice to the silenced. Each film in this collection offers a unique perspective on the brutal regime, highlighting the resilience and courage of the Chilean people in the face of oppression. From gripping political dramas to heart-wrenching personal narratives, these films serve as a poignant reminder of the importance of never forgetting the atrocities committed during this dark chapter in Chile's history. Through their powerful storytelling and compelling performances, these films demand our attention, challenge our understanding, and inspire us to strive for justice and human rights in every corner of the world.
