"Not only the best film about Allende and the coup d'etat, but among the best documentary films ever made, changing our concepts of political documentary within a framework accessible to the widest audience." — Time Out Film Guide

THE BATTLE OF CHILE, which chronicles the tumultuous last months of Salvador Allende’s Popular Unity government (1970-1973) in Chile, has been internationally hailed as a powerful historical portrait of the passions of a people divided and a nation on the brink of civil war. The Equipo Tercer Año, the Chilean filmmaking team led by Patricio Guzmán—including cameraman Jorge Müller Silva, chief of production Federico Elton, soundman Bernardo Menz, and assistant director Jose Pino—which photographed and assembled this three-part, four-and-a-half-hour epic documentary, offers the viewer the vivid experience of being thrust into the midst of a society in crisis. The camera is seemingly everywhere, from intense debates in the halls of congress to the smoke and violence of street demonstrations, from the army’s raids on industrial centers for “stockpiled weapons” to mass political rallies in the streets of Santiago, and from the unforgettable sequence in which a newsreel cameraman records his own death by gunfire to the devastating aerial bombardment of the presidential palace.

THE BATTLE OF CHILE received its world-premiere screenings at the Cannes International Film Festival—Part 1 in 1975, Part 2 in 1976, and Part 3 in 1979. The film was eventually screened in dozens of countries worldwide, won top awards at many film festivals, and was instantly hailed by critics as a classic of documentary filmmaking and one of the most important historical films ever made.

SYNOPSIS

THE BATTLE OF CHILE (Part 1): THE INSURRECTION OF THE BOURGEOISIE examines the escalation of rightist opposition following the left's unexpected victory in Congressional elections held in March 1973. Finding that parliamentary democracy would not stop Allende’s socialist policies, the right wing shifted its tactics from the polls to the streets. The film follows months of activity as a variety of increasingly violent tactics are used by the right to weaken the government and provoke a crisis. (Black and white, 1975, 96 min., Spanish dialogue and narration with English subtitles)

THE BATTLE OF CHILE (Part 2): THE COUP D’ETAT opens with the attempted military coup of June 29, 1973, which is put down by troops loyal to the government. It serves as a useful dry run, however, for the final showdown, which everyone now realizes is only a matter of time. The film shows a left divided over strategy, while the right methodically lays the groundwork for the military seizure of power. The film’s dramatic concluding sequence documents the actual coup d’etat, including Allende’s last radio messages to the people of Chile, footage of the military assault on the presidential palace, and that evening’s televised presentation of the new military junta. (Black and white, 1976, 88 min., Spanish dialogue and narration with English subtitles)

THE BATTLE OF CHILE (Part 3): THE POWER OF THE PEOPLE deals with the creation by ordinary workers and peasants of thousands of local groups of “popular power” to distribute food, occupy, guard and run factories and farms, oppose black- market profiteering, and link together neighbourhood social service organizations, first as a defence against strikes and lock-outs by factory owners, tradesmen and professional bodies opposed to the Allende government, and then increasingly as soviet-type bodies demanding more resolute action by the government against the right. (Black and white, 1978, 79 min., Spanish dialogue and narration with English subtitles)

Reviews of film:
https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/the-battle-of-chile/
https://soundsandcolours.com/articles/chile/democracy-whats-in-a-name-review-of-the-battle-of-chile-17224/

We are offering 2 tickets: 

One at £17.50 with food options either 1 x free range beef empanada or 1 x vegan black bean and sweet potato empanada with an organic quinoa salad with piquillo peppers, lentils, toasted seeds and Chilean salsas Pebre and Merquen Chilote. Prepared by latino street  bites: https://www.facebook.com/latinostreetbites/

If you don't want food then entrance to just the films is £10 (though you would be crazy to miss out on some delicious Chilean cuisine).

There are also few concessionary tickets available at £7 for film and £14.50 for film and food for low waged and unemployed.

Running times:
1.45pm Doors
2pm: THE BATTLE OF CHILE (Part 1): THE INSURRECTION OF THE BOURGEOISIE
3.30pm: Break - with chance to buy refreshments and hangout in the garden or go for a quick walk.
4pm: THE BATTLE OF CHILE (Part 2): THE COUP D’ETAT
5:30pm Break with great food provided by latino street food.  
6:30pm THE BATTLE OF CHILE (Part 3): THE POWER OF THE PEOPLE
8pm ends