Fernando is Back 1998
Distributed by First Run/Icarus Films, 32 Court St., 21st Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11201; 800-876-1710
Producer n/a
Directed by Silvio Caiozzi
VHS, color, 31 min.
Adult
Anthropology, Multicultural Studies
Date Entered: 11/09/2018
Reviewed by Kathleen Loomis, Electronic Resources/Systems Librarian, SUNY College at FredoniaFernando is Back chronicles the efforts of the Chilean Identification Unit to identify the remains of people who "disappeared" during the Augusto Pinochet dictatorship of the 1970's. It follows the family of Fernando Olivares as they identify and finally gain closure after over 20 years.
The film itself is unnarrated, letting the people involved tell their own story. We hear from the members of the identification unit as they explain to Fernando's wife the 50+ fractures he suffered during his torture and the bullet wounds he obtained during his final moments of life. It's painful to see her face as they explain this. A more traumatic part of the film is when Fernando's body is brought back home to his mother, who breaks down at the sight of his bones. We also see Fernando's sister-in-law asking for forgiveness for her father--who is a soldier in the national army--the same army who may have killed Fernando.
This film has won several awards, including the International Catholic Film Award, The Coral Prize at the Havana Film Festival, Best Documentary at the Montevideo Film Festival, and Best Documentary at the 1999 Short Films Festival in Chile.
Powerful and moving, this film shows the viewer the consequences of the Chilean dictatorship and what is did to the people of the nation. This film would be a fine addition to a multicultural history collection. Recommended.