The Hour of the Furnaces (1968)
Directed by Fernando Solanas / Octavio Getino
Sub-Genres - Politics & Government, Social Issues |
Release Date - Feb 25, 1971 (USA - Unknown) |
Run Time - 260 min. |
Countries - Argentina |
MPAA Rating - NR
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Synopsis by Dan Pavlides
This brilliant documentary launched the Third Cinema movement and put Latin American cinema on the international map. It combines new and old film footage to explain the history of Argentina and the wave of revolutionary fervor that swept many countries in Latin America. From the Spanish invaders to modern military concerns financed by foreign powers, this feature examines racism, social upheaval, native massacres and the precarious political situations that could change in the wake of revolutionary rebellion. In a noted sequence, director Solanas juxtaposed images of American commericalism and scenes from a slaughterhouse with snatches of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Heart's Club Band playing over top. The scene climaxes with a rapid staccato montage of starving children, bleeding cows and Coca-Cola signs matched with the sound of machine gun fire. The sequence is as thrilling as it is haunting--a masterpiece of pure cinema. This feature took the Critics Award at the Pesaro New Cinema Festival.
Characteristics
Moods
Themes
Keywords
Argentina, colonialism, government, homage, military-rule, working-class
Attributes
High Artistic Quality, High Historical Importance