FreeMarketeros.com might be a Johnny-come-lately (or is it Juanny-come-lately?) concerning a remarkable film about the victims of Argentina’s Dirty War.  Nevertheless, we’re introducing LatAm boosters to a path-breaking film by a talented documentarian and fellow New York University journalism alumnus Peter Sanders. 

His 2007 film, “The Disappeared,” is a provocative account of Argentina’s state terrorism against subversives who, from 1976 to 1983, opposed the ruling military dictatorship—and who paid a heavy price for their resistance.  The Argentine insurgents, mainly youth, ranged from intellectuals seeking social justice to guerilla fighters who clashed with the military in order to overthrow the regime.  By Sanders’ own admission his film incensed those on the far left and far right of Argentina’s political spectrum.  It earned him scorn because it paints a complex portrait of those seeking justice for the disappeared and the aging military officers who still deny involvement in the torture and murder of an estimated 30,000 political dissidents.  To the credit of all involved in the project, “The Disappeared” not only caused leftist to walk out of theaters early and rightists to throw rotten fruit at the screen.  The film won critical acclaim and was shown in several highly regarded festivals throughout the Americas.

“The Disappeared” portrays the journey of Horacio Pietragalla – who was stolen from his parents prior to their murder by the Argentine military – as he proves his gut belief that he is a child of the missing.  Horacio learns that he was reared by the household servants of a high-ranking military officer in what appears to be a merciful gesture to spare him the same fate as his biological parents.  Activists representing the desaparecidos, however, consider Horacio’s surrogate parents no less than child thieves and complicit in the infant abductions that make the dirty war more unforgivable.  As Horacio is reunited with his biological extended family, the audience is left to ponder his mixed emotions and those of his surrogate parents, who served months in prison and are now estranged from their “son.”   In addition, and most tragic, viewers learn that Horacio would have discovered his identity decades earlier if those knowing the truth (including next-door neighbors) didn’t look the other way. 

Demonstrating the gravity of Horacio’s predicament and 400 similar abduction stories, the Argentine government now obliges Dirty War orphans to surrender DNA samples, the Associated Press reports.

Available on DVD and at select screenings, “The Disappeared” should not be overlooked.  Its creator Peter Sanders lectures often, solicits feedback and deserves our support.