SURCLA (Sydney University Research Community for Latin America) Cine Club

Chile 1973-2023: 50 years of memory, solidarity and resistance

September 11th 2023 will mark the 50^th anniversary of one of the darkest chapter in the history of Latin America. On that day, a coup led by military and civil forces shattered the hope not only Chileans but many Latin Americans had on one of the most progressive political projects of the region. The democratically elected government of President Salvador Allende came to brutal end on that date, with the Unidad Popular’s leader. Thousands of Chileans whose political views were deemed by the Pinochet dictatorship to undermine its authority, were kidnapped, tortured, and murdered. A whole generation of Chileans were forced to exile, and by 1981, more than 18,000 made their way to Australia.

We will reflect on the power of audio-visual media language and collective memory, through the screening of Crossing the Pacific – Chilean Voices in Australia (2023, by Milena Ben David) and La memoria Obstinada (Patricio Guzmán 1997), both with English subtitles. After the screenings, there will be a round table discussion with Milena Ben David (Recapture Productions), Dr Alejandra Canales (Head of Research, AFTRS), and Professor Juan Francisco Salazar (University of Western Sydney, followed by a Q&A and light refreshments.

This event is co-organised in collaboration with General Chilean Consulate of Sydney with the support of the National Film Board of Canada.

About the speakers

Milena Ben-David (Recapture Productions) is the daughter of Chilean refugees raised in Canada. Her early exposure to sociopolitical issues ignited her interest in understanding the complexities of the human experience. After a period of extensive traveling Milena settled in Israel where she obtained a Degree in Political Science and Middle Eastern Studies from Tel Aviv University. She worked in numerous peace initiatives and social justice programs. In 2005, Milena relocated to Australia where she became a filmmaker and obtained a Diploma in Community Services. As a filmmaker, Milena found her voice in the world of visual storytelling.

Dr Alejandra Canales (Head of Research, AFTRS) is an award-winning documentary filmmaker with an extensive career in directing, producing, curating and programming. In 2005 she was awarded a scholarship to complete her MA Hons at AFTRS. In 2011, she completed her Doctor of Creative Arts from the renowned Institute of Culture and Society at Western Sydney University. Alejandra was the co-Founder and co-Director of the inaugural version of the Antenna Documentary Film Festival (Sydney, 2010) and was part of the programming team for several years. Alejandra is an experienced educator across documentary and screen media, both practice and theory. Since 2019 Alejandra has held multiple roles at AFTRS, including Senior Lecturer in Documentary and Program Convenor for the Master of Arts Screen.

Professor Juan Francisco Salazar (University of Western Sydney) was born in Santiago, Chile, and migrated to Sydney in 1998. He is an interdisciplinary researcher, author and documentary filmmaker whose academic and creative work explore the coupled dynamics of social-ecological change and is underpinned by a collaborative ethos across the arts, science and activism. He is a Professor in the School of Humanities and Communication Arts at Western Sydney University and an ARC Future Fellow (2020-2024).

RSVP

Register now

Contact

For more information:
Dr Fernanda Peñaloza (fernanda.penaloza@sydney.edu.au)

Banner image: Chile, Obstinate Memory (Patricio Guzmán, Icarus Films, 1997)

–––

Social media

Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
Listen to talks on SoundCloud
Subscribe to our YouTube