In an exclusive report from The country, The story of José María Berzosa is revealed, a Spanish documentary filmmaker who challenged the Chilean dictatorship with a masterpiece, “Impressions of Chile,” filmed in 1977. This documentary, screened by the Reina Sofía Museum, has become a valuable testimony about the Pinochet regime and a reminder of the importance of artistic freedom in times of repression.
«Impressions of Chile» (which you can see in this link to Facebook) It stands out for its author, José María Berzosa, born in Albacete in 1928 and died in Paris in 2018. Although he is considered a reference in Spanish cinema, his figure remains largely unknown in his native country. The documentary, produced by the French National Audiovisual Institute, was screened only once in Spain in 1981 at the National Film Archive.
What makes this documentary unique is its ability to combine documentary objectivity with undeniable political commitment. Berzosa, a convinced anti-Francoist, portrays Chile with a look that not only denounces the Pinochet regime but also establishes a parallel between the Chilean dictatorship and the Spain from which he himself exiled.
The ironic and deep look
The documentary is a work of art that draws influences from Luis Buñuel and the tradition of black humor and Spanish grotesque. In “Impressions of Chile,” Berzosa uses comedy and satire to show the irrationality and absurdity of the Pinochet regime. His unique style can be described as a dance between death and laughter, reflecting the exuberant Iberian tradition.
Berzosa went to France in search of freedom and a film career. His documentary delves into the life of Chile during those months of 1977, interviewing generals and leaders of the regime. In an emblematic passage, Admiral Merino, head of the Navy, talks about a sculpture of a girl with a dove in her office, which represents “peace and innocence.” This scene contrasts with the horrors of the dictatorship that were being perpetrated at that time.
Berzosa’s legacy
«Impressions of Chile» becomes the crystallization of Berzosa’s formal, aesthetic and political searches. His desire to combine the political cinema of the time with the formal possibilities of the Spanish Baroque is masterfully manifested in this documentary film. Despite being a reference, Berzosa’s work remains largely outside the canon of Spanish cinema. However, his influence is undeniable, and his legacy is crucial to understanding the Spanish line of “heterodox” cinema.
“Impressions of Chile” is a reminder of the importance of artistic freedom and the courage of documentary filmmakers in times of repression. José María Berzosa defied the silence imposed by the dictatorship and left an unwavering testimony of the horrors of Pinochet. This documentary is not only a masterpiece of cinema but also an act of bravery that deserves to be recognized and appreciated in its entirety.
