 
The Fall of Fujimori
By: CINEMA LIBRE DISTRIBUTION Average Rating: 4.0 Total Reviews: 4
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 On: 2007-01-19
I basically stumbled onto this film after having watched the aclaimed film "Our Brand Is Crisis" about American professional political operatives working in the presidential campaign in Bolivia. While the latter is, while important as a political film, barely watchable from a storytelling point of view. "The Fall of Fujimori" is a fascinating character piece with moments that are so absurd that you cant help but laugh in that uncomfortable way that so many great documentries do.
I like to think of myself as well versed in international politics, but I knew very little about Peruvian politics beyond the Japanese Embassy siege and the horrific legacy of the Shinning Path in the countryside. The film assumes a certain amount of knowledge of South American politics in general, but is very watchable even with that that. With the addition of the excellent directors commentary track I feel like I have a good idea about the way that country works and more importantly will not be surprised when Keiko Fujimori comes to power as I am now sure she will once she reaches to minimum age to run for president.
I think it is mistake to assume that this is a simple story of a CIA backed regime because it is blatently obvious to me that if Montesinos--the brutal and ultimately stupid egomanic behind Fujimoris security apparatus--ever did work for the CIA, he wasnt at the time of the Fujimori government. It seems more likely that that he was in the pocket of the narco-traffickers that he had defended as a lawyer prior to his involvement with Fujimori.
I suspect the CIA did have a part to play in the destruction of Montesinos, and through him Alberto Fujimori, but that was indirect by leaking evidence of the massive corruption to the Peruvian press. At best Fujimoris government distant ally to the United States in latin America, but the minute that Montesinos was discovered to be trafficking arms to the same Columbian government the US has been spending billions of dollars to fight... he became counter productive to US interests in the region.
It would also be a mistake in my mind to make a simple equation that Fujimoris Peru battling terrorism has a direct parallel to the US battle with Al Queda. As the director points out in the commentary track, the US has much stronger institutions than Peru did and still does. What I think it is more instructive of is the undercurrent of right wing politics in Japanese politics that is often hidden behind the vener of the post-WWII pacifist constitution. Fujimori became a rock star to people who wanted a strong Japan and longed for a strongman Japanese figure. I wonder if they will so readily embrace his daughter Keiko as she emerges as the next "strongman" in that family.
All in all I think what I can say most about this film is that I have already watched it several times--something not always the case with documentaries--and found new and interesting parts of it each time. Even stripped of its place as a political film, it is still a fascinating character study that will outlast the particular winds of the current War on Terror.
 On: 2006-10-20
I always wondered how the CIA and the powers that be set-up various puppet regimes/dictatorships throughout the world (i.e. Saddam, Shah of Iran 1941, Bush, etc, etc, and etc). A fascinating story of how this once "tender" family man, as described by his now ex-wife, was transformed into your run-of-the-mill corrupt/vile politician. The movie clearly depicts how the "FORMER" (and if you believe that I have some beach front property on the moon that I want to sell you) CIA operative Vladimiro Montesinos puts an originally well-intentioned man on strings and teachers him to dance for the hidden puppet masters. Watch the movie then ask yourself: Why does the CIA have word for word transcripts of private conversions between our two main corrupt politicians? Why does a Lawyer for drug kingpins give up what must be a multi-million dollar a year job to be the director of Perus Intelligence Agency (which couldnt possible pay more than 120K a year)? Why does the CIA wait ten years [ and a Columbian foe is almost aided ] before leaking evidence to the Peru press? A must see for anyone who wants to view a real life account of how the US Intelligence Agency conducts "business" around the world: Once you see the big picture youll realize Fujimori is just a subplot.
Be sure to hear the Director Commentary version of the movie. The DVD extras version is pretty interesting as well (...clears throat...).
(There are many other equally disturbing questions that implicate the CIA but I dont want to spoil the film for would-be first time views.)
On: 2006-09-15
A.O. Scott, the principal film critic for The New York Times, called The Fall Of Fujimori Excellent in January, 2006 when the film had its theatrical premiere at Film Forum in Manhattan. Based on this, and other rave reviews, I braved long lines in New York to see this film on the big screen and it blew me away.
I am very pleased that it is now on DVD.
Filmmaker Ellen Perry has chosen a subtle, restrained cinematic brush to paint a devastating portrait of Alberto Fujimori. Rather than hitting us over the head with any possible preconceived opinions, (a la Fahrenheit 9/11) Ms. Perry respects our intelligence and lets us draw our own conclusions from her exploration of Mr. Fujimoris path.
This film doesnt try to be a history lesson. Its a portrait of how power can corrupt and, of course, of the risks to democracy in pursuit of the abolition of terrorism. Indeed something in which we Americans are now well involved ourselves.
Other films which explored the perils of power like "The Fog Of War" and "Idi Amin Dada" were equally compelling and yet they didnt have the finesse and elegance of "The Fall Of Fujimori."
Ms. Perry has the eye and the story sense of a feature filmmaker, and uses this to carefully explore the actions of Fujimori, The Shining Path, and their impact on Peruvian society. The subtleties of the films editing and the haunting musical score further serve to create a foreboding mood.
For example, the opening sequence, showing Fujimori packing his own bags, putting on makeup (!) and rolling his own luggage alone down a hotel hallway paint a clearer a picture of where Fujimori is today than any ranting editorial could.
We see Fujimori as a tragic figure - not a victim in any way - but a leader, who like so many others corrupted by power truly believes that he is right in his actions. We are not asked to sympathize with him - we may even revile him - but we are left to make our own decisions as to the correctness of his actions.
On the DVD, check out Ms. Perrys commentary - its also wonderful.
 On: 2006-09-08
Like most Americans, I dont know much about international politics and this was a bit difficult for me to follow. Still, this documentary focuses on how fighting terrorism in Peru encroached upon civil liberties. This is a big concern for Americans now. Also, Fujimori was a first as an Asian man to head a non-Asian country. They show him wearing indigenous garb and loving when Native Peruvians refer to him as "El Chino," though hes not of Chinese ancestry. Still, this diversity didnt stop problems to come. Bolivia recently celebrated the arrival of its first indigenous leader, but controversy still remains regarding him.
This documentary really forces a person to read between the lines. It doesnt take those who nothing about Peru and lead them by the hand. They just dive into interviews with Fujimori himself and his critics. They assume that viewers will be able to pick up things quickly. Perhaps they had to be less critical in order to get Fujimoris participation. Still, it gives the viewer a creepy feeling hearing an exiled leader praise his work while bloody bodies are being hauled away. The images here are disturbing: a law dean not allowed to enter his school, an arrested man placed in a police cars trunk, etc.
The Fujimoris were not Evita and Juan. Almost immediately, his ex-wife speaks of their tensions and the cameras show her running to replace him. This is the first time Ive heard of a daughter becoming a first lady because the old first lady became a political rival.
This work ran a bit long. I loved the trilingual code-switching here. However, I am skeptical that there was no interpreter around when the director asks questions in English and Fujimori responds in Spanish.
This disc will be great for those interested in international affairs and Latin America. However, laypeople may be left confused and bored.
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