Docsider > Tonight On P.O.V.: "The Judge and the General"

Tonight On P.O.V.: "The Judge and the General"

[Mark Rabinowitz] On September 11th, 1973 Chilean general Augusto Pinochet led a military coup, overthrowing the democratically elected president Salvador Allende and beginning a 17 year reign of terror, torture and murder. Airing tonight on P.O.V. is "The Judge and the General," directed by Elizabeth Farnsworth and Patricio Lanfranco and according to the New York Times review, the film "embodies a contradiction: it proves that a documentary can be heartening and dismaying at the same time." The film follows Chilean judge Juan Guzmán, himself a former Pinochet supporter and his task: investigating alleged crimes by Pinochet.

I don't often champion films that I haven't seen before, but once in a while I will make an exception based on print reviews, trailers and/or recommendations from friends. This is one of those times. At the time of the coup, my father and his law firm were the US legal representatives for Allende's government. Along with 9/11/08, the events of 9/11/73 and the subsequent 17-year reign of terror led by Pinochet have shaped my life and world view more any other in my memory.

While I can't tell you if the film is a good documentary, I can tell you that the subject matter it covers is heartbreaking, gut-wrenching, and required knowledge. I'll be watching.

Police arrest journalist Mónica González (kneeling) in 1984.
Photo courtesy of Mónica González

Posted by rabbi on Aug 19, 2008 at 05:42PM | Filed under Television

Comments

Dear Mark,

Other films on same topic "Special Circumstances", and "State of Fear" both available through New Day Films. Yours, Alice

Posted by Alice Elliott on Aug 19, 2008 at 05:42PM

Hey Mark:

This is a very powerful and well-produced film. I first became familiar with this issue during the 70s, prior to the release of 'Missing' with Jack Lemmon and Sissy Spacek. This documentary is a real gem.

Kudos to the filmmakers, and thanks for all you do, Mark!

Posted by Kevin P. Miller on Aug 19, 2008 at 05:42PM

I've recently read the personal comment of the Editor of the Santiago based English Language newspaper, 'The Santiago Times'. I suggest viewers of this site take a look at what Mr. Stot is saying.

Posted by James Kane on Aug 19, 2008 at 05:42PM

I, of course, do not censor comments to this site, within reason. So I approved Mr. Kane's comment (above) but you can damn bet I am going to respond.

I read the article that Mr. Stot wrote and it's mostly laughably stilted and wrong. At best, it's revisionist history, at worst is shameful. Stot's arguments are flawed at their root. Just because people approves of torture and murder, doesn't make it ok. And his statement that "The difference between the two men is one of degree, not kind." is absurd on its face. That's like saying child rapists and pickpockets are just different in terms of degree, not kind, as they're both criminals.

The thing is, his assertions about Salvador Allende are flat out lies. Bogus tales propagated by the fascists who cling to the old ways of torture and murder. And they make me sick.

Posted by Mark Rabinowitz on Aug 19, 2008 at 05:42PM

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