ENLIGHTENED BY FIRE
**1/2 OUT OF *****

Screening in the 6th Latin American Film Festival

Genres
Drama
War

2005
Directed by
Tristan Bauer
Written by
Tristan Bauer
Miguel Bonasso
Edgardo Esteban
Gustavo Romero Borri
Cast
Gaston Pauls ... Esteban Leguizamo
Pablo Riva ... Alberto Vargas
Virginia Innocenti ... Marta Vargas
Cesar Albarracin ... Juan

Enlightened by Fire is the hitherto untold story of the Falklands/Malvinas war, otherwise known as the South Atlantic war. Perhaps more than any other military story, this was the story that didnÕt need to be told. The film follows war veteran Esteban as he recalls, recounts and finally returns to the scene of the 1982 conflict on the Malvinas islands. It's hard not to be moved by the gruesome battle scenes and more especially by Esteban's emotional collapse upon his return to the battlefield. More than this, however, it's hard not to be bored by the rest of the movie.

Bauer's film manages the rare feat of being harrowing, yet still un-compelling. Maybe they needed a sub-plot to keep me guessing. With regards to the war itself, the result was never in doubt. 1,000 unshaven Argentines versus a nuclear power, who (as if they needed it) had the backing of the United States. Turns out there are limits to the military power of facial hair and swear words during battle. This was David versus Goliath, but David left his sling-shot at home and had both hands tied behind his back.

The battle scenes did have plenty of action, I think. It was hard to tell. Not a technician, so perhaps I shouldnÕt comment, but I'll venture to suggest they would have been better served if the cameramen weren't doubling up as soldiers. I've seen clearer battle scenes filmed with cell phones posted on Youtube. Despite this oversight, one interesting stat was that more people were involved in making the film than in the war it depicts.

In fairness it was an interesting commentary on how difficult it is for the survivors of any losing war. The political fallout from this war was the end of General Galtieri's military government and the return of Maggie Thatcher to 10 Downing Street in the following year's UK election. The Argentine soldiers were promised a hero's welcome, yet as our narrator tells us "the only person waiting for me with open arms was my mother". As has been noted innumerable times, history is written by the winners, though this point has made more eloquently elsewhere, most notably in 2004's Downfall, about the last days of the third reich. I imagine for many Argentines and a few Britons this movie would strike a chord. For everyone else they would be better served looking elsewhere for their fix of alternative, moralising war movies.

More than anything, it was hard to understand why anyone would care about the territory itself. It has to be the most uninspiring piece of countryside I've ever laid my rapidly closing eyes on. It's like a cold, rainy Desert Road minus Mt Ruapehu and crazy horses. Admittedly there were sheep, but it's rare that an ovine cameo makes or breaks a feature film. Be honest: would you lay down your life for Waiouru?

Screenings in the 6th Latin American Film Festival

Wellington (Rialto)
Monday 23rd April 6:15pm

Auckland (Rialto)
Thursday 26th April 8:30pm
Friday 27th April 1:15pm
Monday 30th April 6:15pm

Hamilton (Rialto)
Thursday 3rd May 8:30pm
Friday 4th May 1:15pm
Monday 7th May 6:15pm

Christchurch (Rialto)
Thursday 10th May 8:30pm
Friday 11th May 1:15pm
Monday 14th May 6:15pm