Documentaries in Bloom Presents: The Battle of Chile Marathon
/(Curated by Livia Bloom)
Three rare marathon screenings of the legendary documentary by Patricio Guzmán, The Battle of Chile, will take place on September 11, the anniversary of the Chilean military coup. A landmark in documentary history, this remarkable film brings viewers into the Chilean political conflict. The film includes one of the cinema's most famous shots: a cameraman who captures his own murder on film. Often discussed but little-seen, The Battle of Chile has been newly restored and released on DVD by Icarus Films. In this remarkable event, it will be shown in complete marathon screenings.
Friday, September 10th, 7:30pm
The Insurrection of the Bourgeoisie (Part 1)
Dir. Patricio Guzman, 1975, 96 mins, Chile/France/Cuba
The Insurrection of the Bourgeoisie examines the escalation of rightist opposition following the left's unexpected victory in Congressional elections held in March, 1973. Finding that democracy would not stop Allende's socialist policies, the right-wing shifted its tactics from the polls to the streets. The film follows months of activity as a variety of increasingly violent tactics are used by the right to weaken the government and provoke a crisis.
At 9:15pm:
The Coup d'Etat (Part 2)
Dir. Patricio Guzman, 1976, 88 mins, Chile/France/Cuba
The Coup d'Etat opens with the attempted military coup of June, 1973 which is put down by troops loyal to the government. It serves as a useful dry run, however, for the final showdown, that everyone now realizes is coming. The film shows a left divided over strategy, while the right methodically lays the groundwork for the military seizure of power. The film's dramatic concluding sequence documents the coup d'etat, including Allende's last radio messages to the people of Chile, footage of the military assault on the presidential palace, and that evening's televised presentation of the new military junta.
All screenings introduced by Chilean artist and musician Christian Torres-Roje
Saturday, September 11th, 3:00pm
The Insurrection of the Bourgeoisie (Part 1)
Dir. Patricio Guzman, 1975, 96 mins, Chile/France/Cuba
At 4:45pm:
The Coup d'Etat (Part 2)
Dir. Patricio Guzman, 1976, 88 mins, Chile/France/Cuba
At 6:30pm:
The Power of the People (Part 3)
Dir. Patricio Guzman, 1978, 78 mins, Chile/France/Cuba
The Power of the People deals with the creation by ordinary workers and peasants of thousands of local groups of "popular power" to distribute food, occupy, guard and run factories and farms, oppose black market profiteering, and link together neighborhood social service organizations. First these local groups of "popular power" acted as a defense against strikes and lock-outs by factory owners, tradesmen and professional bodies opposed to the Allende government, then increasingly as Soviet-type bodies demanding more resolute action by the government against the right.
All screenings introduced by Chilean artist and musician Christian Torres-Roje
Sunday, September 12th, 3:00pm
The Insurrection of the Bourgeoisie (Part 1)
Dir. Patricio Guzman, 1975, 96 mins, Chile/France/Cuba
At 4:45
The Coup d'Etat (Part 2)
Dir. Patricio Guzman, 1976, 88 mins, Chile/France/Cuba
At 6:30
The Power of the People (Part 3)
Dir. Patricio Guzman, 1978, 78 mins, Chile/France/Cuba
All screenings introduced by Chilean artist and musician Christian Torres-Roje
