I first properly met Pablo Navarrete in El Sueño Existe, the Festival in Machynlleth, Wales dedicated to celebrating the life of Victor Jara a Chilean singer/songwriter, theatre director, father, husband and cultural activist who was murdered by the Chilean military dictatorship in September 1973. I was also introduced to his mother and father at the festival. His mother was speaking as part of a panel about the Chilean experience in the UK. It gave me much food for thought, listening to other Chileans describing their own experiences in exile was cathartic, learning about different perspectives, experiences and opinions.
Since then, my connection with Pablo has enabled us to effortlessly be involved in each other’s projects, with Pablo creating a moving backdrop as part of Grupo Luma’s national tour to commemorate 50yrs of Chile’s Nueva Cancion in the seventies, and my involvement in various film showings across the country including London and Sheffield as well as both being involved in panels for each other.
Mother, Country is a very personal film for Pablo and his family, and presents a story that reflects many who left Chile, their anxiety, thoughts and reality of living in a very different place, at first as refugees and as the years go by, learning to adapt and make a home of sorts. This film is much more than the story of a Chilean family and can be easily transposed to the experiences of so many exiles, refugees and asylum seekers escaping or fleeing persecution and war from countries around the world.
Image still, taken from MOTHER, COUNTRY, a gripping documentary directed by British-Chilean filmmaker Pablo Navarrete.
It is well known that many Chileans kept the suitcases ready for a quick return, believing that the tide would turn and they would be able to go home as for them it was a temporary situation, and soon they’d be able to return. But it didn’t pan out that way and years went by as the dictatorship tightened its hold on the country and one day you realised where you called home had changed.
This wonderful, emotional film, full of ups and downs will strongly resonate with many people who have been on that journey, wherever they may be from. It will also resonate with those who befriended the people who had to flee from persecution, people who due to their generosity and compassion helped many to feel not so alone and isolated; which in turn helped people to move on in this new place, when that was the hardest thing to do.
By Francisco Carrasco, CEO and Creative Director, Luma Creations
Click here to find out where Mother, Country will be screening soon.
