FILM REVIEW: MY IMAGINARY COUNTRY (2021) DIR. PATRICIO GUZMAN
Written by Belle McIntyre
It began with a 30 peso increase in subway fares which caused a massive reaction among the populace, causing riots and protests, most vociferously among the young people. The anger and outrage spread like wildfire and included banging on pots and pans in the streets filled with angry citizens chanting their protests. This, inevitably, resulted in retaliation by the military using high-powered hoses, tear gas and rubber bullets, which escalated in a standoff with protesters tearing up the sidewalks and breaking the concrete into stones which they could throw at the heavily armored police.
The protesters are highly motivated by their awakening to the repression that they have experienced for the last decades and their sudden refusal to tolerate it any longer. They bond together and hold meetings to discuss what is important to them. The ones which Guzman interviews are clear-eyed and optimistic, realizing that they could face nasty consequences, yet fully believing that they are on the moral high ground and can effectuate change. They are not just slinging slogans, but are challenging the systemic problems with their politicians, health care, education, and infrastructure. They are a very impressive group of thoughtful young people who seem ready and willing to do the hard work of making their country a place that works for all of them.
They do not cave under the brutal retaliation of the military, and the movement gains strength. For Guzman, an established documentarian in his 80’s, he was reminded of the overthrow of Allende which he witnessed and filmed all those years ago. In this case he uses drone shots of the one and a half million demonstrators on the streets of Santiago and well as up close and personal shots of hand to hand scuffles on the streets.
We are also able to witness some of the town hall type meetings where they make their demands known. Nothing less than a new constitution will satisfy them and they demand a referendum on a new president as well. In October 2020 80% of the populace vote to rewrite the constitution and they elect a new president, 35-year old Gabriel Boric to replace Piñera. If the fragile new reforms are honored, this could be seen as a roadmap for more democratic countries. Something that could be most welcome in our country as well. It is hopeful.
