Invasion: A Diary of Panama's U.S. Invasion
(Invasion: A Diary of Panama's U.S. invasion)
Abner Benaim | Documentary
2014 | 94 minutes | Panama
The invasion of Panama by the U.S on Christmas and New Year of 1989 – when American troops deposed dictator Manuel Noriega, killing an unknown number of civilians in the process- serves as an excuse to explore how a people remember, transform, and often forget their past in order re-define their identity and become who they are today.
Synopsis
The invasion of Panama by the U.S on Christmas and New Year of 1989 – when American troops deposed dictator Manuel Noriega, killing an unknown number of civilians in the process- serves as an excuse to explore how a people remember, transform, and often forget their past in order re-define their identity and become who they are today.
Invasion documents the collective memory utilizing a combination of reenactments and interviews of the 1989 U.S. Invasion: Defense forces who fought symbolic battles, politicians who justify their actions, friends of the church, from civilians to former General Noriega.
Did the “gringos” bring democracy or destruction? Was Noriega a victim or a villain? Was he an anti-Imperialist or a CIA accomplice gone rogue? Was it about drug trafficking or arms dealing, or perhaps neither? Or does it really just boil down to the fact that the U.S. wasn’t ready to relinquish control of the Panama Canal? These questions, many of which go intentionally unanswered, constitute the first Panamanian attempt to reconcile with a national trauma that many Panamanians have been all too eager to forget.
Citation
Main credits
Benaim, Abner (film director)
Other credits
Cinematography, Guido De Paula; editor, Andrés Tambornino; music, Ulises Conti.
Citation
Cataloging
Pragda subjects
Central America
History
Human Rights
International Relations
Latin American Studies
North America
Oscar® Contenders
Political Science
Sociology
Keywords
Clips
Festivals
Academy Awards® - Panama's submission for Best Foreign Language Film
Panama International Film Festival - Best Documentary; Audience Award for Best Picture of Central America and the Caribbean
Miami International Film Festival - Best Director
Málaga Film Festival - Audience Award
Biznaga de Plata
FICBAQ Barranquilla - Best Caribbean Film
IDFA International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam
DIRECTOR: Abner Benaim
NATIONALITY: Panama
YEAR: 2014
GENRE: Documentary
LANGUAGE: Spanish
COLOR / B&W: Color
GRADE LEVEL: College, Adults
SUBTITLE/CC: AVAILABLE
AUDIO DESCRIPTION: NOT AVAILABLE
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