By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 1.5 cats
Director: Ellen Perry
Country: united_states
Year: 2006
Running time: 83
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0436295/
Bruce says: “Campaigning against the Shining Path terrorists, Alberto Fujimori abolished congress, and created a court system
in which enemies of the state were tried and sentenced by hooded judges. In a matter of months Fujimori transformed Peru from a democracy to a military dictatorship. Seeing himself above the law he forged an alliance with one of the greatest mobsters in Peru, Vladimiro Montesinos. When Montesinos was caught bribing many people on videotape, the Fujimori regime crumbled.
“For the past few years Fujimori has been living in exile in Japan but – in this film – he plans to return to Peru and recapture his glory by becoming President once again. Although the film does not cover recent events Fujimori is currently under arrest in Chile and may not make it back to Peru as a free man.
“Most of the film revolves around interviews with Fujimori himself. The fact that he is not that interesting a man is problem number one. Expecting him to rationally explain or acknowledge the events surrounding his downfall is just plain ridiculous. Comparisons to the Marcos regime are unavoidable. Both heads of state were equally delusional. There is an amusing diversion
in the film. Fujimori’s wife divorced him during his reign and she actually ran against him in his last campaign.
“In Fujimori’s defense, he did give Peru a big financial boost during the years he was in office and he was immensely popular
with the Peruvians for almost a decade. A much better documentary, STATE OF FEAR covers the same subject matter somewhat differently and more objectively. 1.5 cats”