The Mothers of Plaza de Mayo

Watch The Mothers of Plaza de Mayo

  • 1985
  • 1 hr 4 min
  • 6.9  (89)

The Mothers of Plaza de Mayo is an emotionally charged drama from 1985, directed by Susana Blaustein Muñoz and Lourdes Portillo. The film is centered around the true story of a group of Argentine women who organized a resistance movement against the brutal military dictatorship that ruled over their country from 1976 until 1983.

The Mothers of Plaza de Mayo organization formed in 1977, when a group of mothers decided to protest the disappearance of their children. During the dictatorship, thousands of people were kidnapped, tortured, and murdered by the government, including many young students and activists who were critical of the regime. The mothers of these victims began to gather in public places, such as the famous Plaza de Mayo in Buenos Aires, wearing white headscarves and holding photos of their missing children, in a symbolic gesture of mourning and protest.

The film opens with scenes of police violence and brutality, as the military government attempts to suppress any opposition and dissent. The camera then focuses on the stories of different women who have lost their children, including the character played by Carmen Zapata. The women are at first hesitant to join together in a public demonstration, fearing that they will be targeted by the authorities. However, after meeting with other mothers who share their grief and pain, they decide to take action and begin to organize.

The Mothers of Plaza de Mayo quickly becomes a powerful voice of resistance, as the women use their collective strength to demand answers from the government about their missing children. They face continued harassment and intimidation from the authorities, who falsely accuse them of being communist agitators and terrorists. The women are also met with resistance from some members of the public, who view them as troublemakers and a threat to stability.

Despite these challenges, the Mothers of Plaza de Mayo remain steadfast in their pursuit of justice. They hold peaceful marches and vigils, speak out to the media, and even travel to Geneva to raise awareness of their cause on the world stage. The film captures the emotional toll of this struggle, as the women are forced to confront the harsh reality that they may never see their children again.

One of the most powerful scenes in the film is a reenactment of a confrontation between the Mothers of Plaza de Mayo and the military government. The women are shown standing before a panel of officers, who attempt to intimidate and silence them. However, the women refuse to back down, and instead, one by one, they defiantly stand up to describe the horrifying fate of their missing children. The scene is a testament to the strength and courage of the women, who refused to let their voices be silenced.

The Mothers of Plaza de Mayo is a raw and visceral film that depicts the horrors of Argentina's recent past. The acting is superb, particularly the performance of Carmen Zapata, who brings a deep sense of empathy and grief to her role. The camera work is also impressive, with the use of grainy black and white footage adding to the realism and authenticity of the story.

Overall, The Mothers of Plaza de Mayo is a brave and moving film that pays tribute to a group of women who stood up against tyranny and fought for justice. It is a timeless reminder of the power of collective action and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

The Mothers of Plaza de Mayo is a 1985 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 4 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.9.

Description
Where to Watch The Mothers of Plaza de Mayo
The Mothers of Plaza de Mayo is available to watch free on Kanopy. It's also available to stream, download on demand at . Some platforms allow you to rent The Mothers of Plaza de Mayo for a limited time or purchase the movie and download it to your device.
  • Release Date
    1985
  • Runtime
    1 hr 4 min
  • Language
    English
  • IMDB Rating
    6.9  (89)