A film review on the 1982 movie “Missing” needs to be written. A sample film review is attatched below, for reference. It needs to be between 1000-1500 words. Here are the instructions:
“The review should focus not on the film as art, but as a medium for representing history — and, in some cases, trying to change history. Your review should include an analysis of how the film relates to the historical record, and how the filmmakers might have used artistic license in changing the chronology and/or characters. You should also discuss the context in which the film was produced, and the reception from both audiences and critics.
The biographical drama film Missing was directed by Costa-Gavras and released in 1982. Adapted from the book The Execution of Charles Horman (1978), the film concerns an American journalist, Charles Horman, who disappeared in the 1973 coup d’tat led by General Augusto Pinochet in Chile. A Greek-French film director, Costa-Gavras is known for bringing attention to international issues using political thrillers such as Z (1969) and Missing. Shot in Mexico with a budget of $9.5 million from Universal Studios, the film was released to critical acclaim with some commercial success (grossing $16 million in the U.S.). Many praised the bravery of Missing for making a specific attack on American policies in Chile during and after the Allende regime. The film also created significant controversy. It was banned in Chile during Augusto Pinochet’s dictatorship, even though neither Chile nor Pinochet is ever mentioned by name. Shortly after the film was released, Nathaniel Davis, former US ambassador to Chile from 1971-1973, filed a libel lawsuit against Universal Studio and the films director. Missing was removed from the U.S. market until 2006 after Davis had lost his lawsuit.
As you watch the movie, you may want to think about the following questions:
How does Costa-Gavras depict U.S. interest and involvement in Chile? Do his portrayals of the 1973 coup d’tat, its aftermath, and public reaction live up to the historical record? What was his intended message and who were his intended audiences? What did Costa-Gavras leave out or was unclear about? How did audiences in Chile, the U.S. and other parts of the world react to the film and why might their reactions have been different?”
