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“The only eternal lesson to be had is to study the past, so that we won’t repeat it.”— Patricio Guzmán.
In a remarkable 40-year career, Chilean filmmaker Patricio Guzmán has crafted a unique legacy among documentarians: cataloguing the cataclysmic modern events of his country in a body of work not only timely, but timeless. Influenced early on by the non-fiction work of Chris Marker, Frédéric Rossif and Louis Malle, Guzmán began his career in 1971, documenting the sweeping social and economic reforms enacted by Chile’s then-president, Salvador Allende, Latin America’s first democratically elected socialist head of state. In 1973, Allende’s government was brought down in a bloody coup that brought General Augusto Pinochet to power and Guzmán was forced to leave Chile for Europe where he completed The Battle of Chile, Parts 1-3 (1975-1979), a searing account of the Allende government’s final year. Guzmán has returned to the events of 1973 and their aftermath several times throughout his career while also expanding his field of inquiry to explore the very natures of cinema, history and memory. In his latest film, Nostalgia for the Light (2010), Guzmán orchestrates a dazzling meditation on the insistent presence of the past in all our lives. UCLA Film & Television Archive is pleased to present Nostalgia for the Light in a special preview screening on Friday, April 15 and to welcome Mr. Guzmán in person to the Billy Wilder Theater on Friday, April 29.
Nostalgia for the Light opens in an exclusive Los Angeles engagement at Landmark’s Nuart Theatre, one week only, April 22-28, 2011. For more information visit:www.landmarktheatres.com.
This series is also being presented in association with Los Angeles Filmforum. Filmforum members receive a $1 discount off the regular ticket price at the theater box office.
Special thanks to: David Arriaza, assistant director, Kevin Terraciano, interim director, Latin American Institute; Veronica Cortinez, Maarten Van Delden, director, Department of Spanish & Portuguese; Hugo Hopenhayn, director, Center for Argentina, Chile & the Southern Cone.
All films written and directed Patricio Guzmán and in Spanish with English subtitles, except where noted.
