La Historia Oficial Analysis

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Antiparallel consequences of occupational memory in La Historia Oficial In response to the 30,000 "disappearances" of young revolutionaries in Argentina, mothers of missing children combated the structural violence of oppressive military dictatorship by protesting in the Plaza de Mayor in Buenos Aires. Moved by these demonstrations, Luis Puenzo wrote and directed La historia oficial in Argentina during the "Dirty War" (1874-1983), which pitted the Argentine Anticommunist Alliance against the left-wing guerillas. Instead of discussing the ramifications of the war directly, Puenzo centers his film around the fragile marriage of Alicia, a bourgeoisie history teacher, and her husband, Roberto, a wealthy businessman. Throughout the movie, Puenzo embeds Alicia's …show more content…

Although Alicia initially denounced a student's remark that "History was written by Assassins", after befriending Benitez, the anarchist literature professor, she learns to accept and later embraces the call to rebellion. In fact, the students prank of posting newspaper articles on the board galvanized her search for Gaby's true mother and insistence to understand her students' version of history. The extent of her ideological shift is understood after she awarded the same student who she initially rebuked an A- on his history assignment. Roberto, who experiences antiparallel character development, transforms from jovial dinner guest to abusive spouse after his business and network collapse. While Roberto initially enjoyed the economic and political refugee of his business and friend the general, Roberto's life crumbles after growing public opposition to his business, coworker disappearances, and marriage issues resulting from business trips. The audience foreshadows Roberto's belligerency and strong military connections after he very calmly dealt with and tortured a fearful man with complaints about his jail

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