Personal views from the Third World Chile's Forbidden Dreams
Arrest, torture and murder have isolated each Chilean in a shroud of fear. What hidden changes happen in the people who have to live under a dictatorship? Why are these changes so important? It is these inner invisible changes that are the subject of this programme, not the details of repression itself.
The 'eyes' of this film are the artistic directors of the ICTUS Theatre Company in Chile. They believe:
'Dictatorship is not a political problem but a human problem. It goes to the deepest roots of a human being.' 'What's important is not our being afraid, but to use art to overcome fear to gain the most important thing - our freedom.'
Their plays make visible the invisible changes that they believe are about to trap Chile in a vicious circle - of dictatorship, followed by democracy, followed quickly by a new dictatorship. In their theatre they are trying to prevent Chile being trapped in this vicious circle. For us, their plays reveal unusual insights into the unfamiliar world of the police state.
Film editor RODERICK LONGHURST Producer EDWARD GOLDWYN
Series editor ANTHONY ISAACS