‘The Victors’: a fresh and unsettling take on Malvinas lands right on time
Pablo Aparo’s documentary challenges outdated imagery and bravely explores the lives, memories and fears of the people living on the islands today La entrada ‘The Victors’: a fresh and unsettling take on Malvinas lands right on time se publicó primero en Buenos Aires Herald .
In Argentina, it's rare for an independent film to premiere at just the right time. The Victors, a documentary by director Pablo Aparo, appears to have had its timing perfectly aligned. Soon after President Javier Milei's televised speech, Argentina's sovereignty claim over the Malvinas islands intensified. The film offers a fresh perspective on the islands and the people who live there, challenging institutional warmongering and assumptions about islanders.
The film begins with an augmented reality exhibition in mainland Argentina, allowing viewers to experience the islands through goggles. This showcases the Argentine people's historical and physical distance from the islands, as well as the absence of firsthand experience for many. The Victors then transitions into a testimony-driven research, featuring interviews with public officials and everyday islanders. The respectful tone of the film allows the islanders to freely express their views on Argentina and the islands.
Through Aparo's interviews, the film sheds new light on the islanders' perspective, revealing their history, culture, and views on sovereignty. Despite occasional social disputes, the camera is mostly welcomed by the islanders. The film intersperses beautiful images of the islands with testimonies, including memories of the 1982 war and the harsh living conditions under Argentine rule.
One elderly man's testimony reveals his fear of Argentine military torturing and disappearing prisoners, challenging common preconceptions about the islanders.
The film also explores the rural settlement of Matthew McMullen, a staunch anti-Argentina livestock farmer, who becomes a key character. His relationship with Aparo and the islanders creates a volatile friendship, forcing the local community to confront their own beliefs. The film concludes with a major British Armed Forces base, a constant reminder of the island's military presence.
The Victors' exploration of the islanders' lives, culture, and perspectives on sovereignty offers an unprecedented and thought-provoking portrayal of the Malvinas.
Written by urgent.news from Buenos Aires Herald's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
