Beautiful documentary that takes a look at the political journey of one of the most important figures of the 20th century in Latin America.

Through the use of archive recordings and pictures but also making use of the traditional interview format of documentaries, giving voice to many different testimonies, from those that were close to Allende to current citizens that probably don’t even remember him in life, and even including a former US ambassador in Chile, the filmmaker Patricio Guzmán approaches us to both Allende the political animal and Allende the human being.

Especially powerful are all those images from the past, the demonstrations, the worker committees, the music, the poetry, the rage of the bourgeoise, and also Allende’s speeches and gathering surrounded by the masses.

A bit less poignant, although incredibly interesting are the interviews. The part that tries to take a look at his childhood and his political upbringing is treated to over the surface and the movie would have benefit from taken a bit more of a deep dive in it. Set that aside, we also find ourselves with some fascinating bits, especially those with the former US ambassador who provides the viewpoint of the White House to what was going on in Chile and how to possibly defeat Allende, a group of former militants of the Unidad Popular (Popular Unity, Allende’s party) debating on whether Allende was a revolutionary or not, or another person expressing the need to bring Allende and his ways back into the spotlight in a Chile that has forgotten him.

Precisely this point is of incredible relevance as it the film advances and reaches the pinnacle of the military coup, you feel how all the Chilean population feels ashamed of their positioning during that transcendental time. The right and upper-middle class for supporting by looking to another side while the coup was taking place (represented by the old neighbours of Allende, who are reticent to the documentary cameras), and the left and working class for not reacting or trying to fight back, although acknowledging that they did not have the means to present a real opposition to the army, the people who chanted “Allende, Allende, el pueblo te defiende!” (“Allende, Allende, the people defends you!”) left their leader off to his own luck at the Palacio de la Moneda.

All in all, a great documentary that should not be categorized as a full on biographical movie as it lacks a bit more of depth to the early days of Allende, but still provides an emotional and informative look to his political career from his first relevant governmental positions, to his efforts to become president, to his years as president until his tragic end, while also approaching us to how Chile and the Chileans lived and remember those days.