Calle Santa Fe - Director: Carmen Castillo; Country: Chile/France/Belgium; Release: 2007, Runtime: 163

Screening : Wed Jun 18: 7

For the documentary filmmaker that has often thought about including their own story in their film, Carmen Castillo’s Calle Santa Fe is worth considering.

A personal meditation on her time in Chile in the early 1970’s and the death of her husband, her comrade and revolutionary Miguel Enriquez, Castillo tells of her past while revisiting the scene where her husband was killed. Much of her story is told in voice-over and in turn she creates a journal of sorts surrounding her story, past and present.

While not for everyone (it’s 163 minutes long) the film presents a unique perspective on the memory of revolution. In a time and place where the young folks of today are constantly trying to find their political voice outside of the mainstream, it means something to listen to Castillo. Her September 11th (the coup of Pinochet) is not so different from ours in it’s after-effects and influence on young people.

Also, as documentaries continue to get flashier and more about fast pace and less about story and actual documentation, Calle Santa Fe presents a breath of fresh air, a moment to pause and reflect and indulge in a story worth hearing.

Watch the trailer below and takepart to learn more about Pinochet from Human Rights Watch. and of course stay tuned for more on the Human Rights Film Fest.