elpais.com
El Eternauta": Argentine Series Recounts Resistance Against Alien Invasion, Reflecting Dictatorship's Legacy
El Eternauta", a new Netflix series, adapts a 1957 Argentine comic about ordinary citizens resisting an alien invasion, reflecting the author's experience with the country's dictatorship and the current trend in Latin American cinema to confront past atrocities.
- What are the long-term implications of this cinematic wave in shaping public memory and fostering social justice in South America?
- The popularity of these productions suggests a societal need to confront the past and prevent its repetition, particularly as some governments deny or minimize the atrocities committed during those eras. The films serve as warnings, emphasizing the importance of remembering and holding perpetrators accountable.
- How do films like "El Eternauta" connect personal struggles with broader socio-political contexts, and what impact does this approach have?
- The series' success reflects a broader trend in Latin American cinema: a surge in films and series confronting past dictatorships and their ongoing impact. This trend is evident in award-winning films like "Aún estoy aquí" and "Bajo las banderas, el sol", which explore the human cost of authoritarian regimes and their lingering effects.
- What is the significance of the renewed interest in depicting South American dictatorships through film and television, given the recent political climate?
- El Eternauta", a new Argentine series on Netflix, depicts ordinary middle-class neighbors confronting a toxic alien invasion, highlighting their collective resistance. The series adapts a 1957 comic by Héctor Germán Oesterheld, whose experiences with Argentina's dictatorship are reflected in the narrative.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article frames the resurgence of films about South American dictatorships as a positive development, highlighting their role in preserving memory and warning against present-day threats. This framing emphasizes the importance of remembering past atrocities and their potential recurrence. While not explicitly biased, it presents a particular viewpoint on the significance of these films. The headline (if any) would further emphasize this framing.
Language Bias
The article uses strong and emotive language such as "sanguinario" (sanguinary), "psicóticos ultraliberales" (psychopathic ultraliberals), and "terror" to describe the dictatorships and their supporters. While conveying the gravity of the situation, this language may lack neutrality. More neutral terms such as "authoritarian," "extreme right-wing," and "repressive regime" could be considered for certain contexts.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on Argentina and Brazil, with mentions of other South American countries but lacking detailed analysis of individual contexts. While it mentions Chile's Pinochet dictatorship and its ongoing effects, a deeper exploration of the specific nuances of other nations' experiences would provide a more comprehensive picture. The omission of specific data points regarding the number of victims in each country beyond Argentina and Brazil could be considered a bias by omission.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a somewhat simplistic dichotomy between those who support remembering the past and those who deny it (negationists). The reality is more complex; there are likely a range of views and opinions on how to approach historical trauma and its relevance to the present, beyond this binary opposition.
Gender Bias
The article mentions women victims of the dictatorships but doesn't analyze gendered aspects of the violence or representation in the films. While women are included as victims, there is no specific examination of how gender might have intersected with their experiences of repression. More attention could be paid to gendered analyses of the films' portrayal of these experiences.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article highlights numerous films and series that address the lasting impacts of past dictatorships in South America, promoting remembrance and justice for victims. This contributes to strengthening institutions and fostering accountability for past human rights abuses. The focus on transitional justice and the pursuit of truth is directly relevant to SDG 16.