In 1989, the Berlin Wall fell, and Alfredo Stroessner’s 35-year dictatorship in Paraguay also ended, bringing an end to one of the world’s longest-running authoritarian regimes. Juanjo Pereira’s documentary “Under the Flags, the Sun” revisits this important period in a way that sheds new light on the events.
The film, which is part of the latest Panorama sidebar at the Berlin Film Festival, offers a unique perspective on the fall of the Stroessner regime and the impact it had on the country’s audiovisual archives. These archives, previously used to shape a national identity and promote the regime, have now been rediscovered and reveal the hidden mechanisms of power behind Stroessner’s rule.
“Under the Flags, the Sun” takes viewers on a visual journey through the history of 20th-century media in Paraguay, highlighting how the past is used to indoctrinate and shape national imagery. Through a careful curation of unseen footage, including newsreels and propaganda films, the film exposes the lasting effects of this authoritarian regime on contemporary society.
Director Juanjo Pereira explains that the film aims to piece together these found archives and understand how they have shaped society in the present day. Despite the silence that still lingers in Paraguay about its dark history, “Under the Flags, the Sun” sheds light on a pivotal era that continues to influence the country’s culture and politics.
Produced by Ivana Urízar, Paula Zyngierman, Leandro Listorti, and Gabriela Sabaté, “Under the Flags, the Sun” offers a poignant reflection on Paraguay’s past and an exploration of the power dynamics that continue to shape the country today. Experience the trailer for this groundbreaking documentary below.
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