the Oscars category was Costa-Gavras' film Missing. It won only one screenplay adaptation.
No wonder. Unlike Missing tells a story that strikes right at the core of the foreign policy of US imperialism.
The story of Missing is a true one. It tells of the abduction and exeçution of the American journalist, Horman by the Chilean military, during the 1973 coup. The film proves that his murder was carried out with the knowledge and acquiesence of US military personnel who helped plan the coup.
Horman knew too much. By accident he came across US naval personnel in Valpariso on the eve of the coup, who mistaking leanings, spilled the beans to him. Horman's father (played in the film nearly every — OI 'Ghandi', Charles home.
his political America.
Action's Oscar: Spacek) search for him, but meet only obstruction from the US authorities.
Missing caused such an outery that the State Department was moved to issue official denials. It films the fear and terror in the streets, and shows the Santiago stadium with its horrific piles of bodies. The film in the mortuaries is harrowing. This is a bitter reminder of not only what happened in Chile, but what is happening today in El Salvador and Guatemala.
Ghandi can mean anything to anyone. The well-heeled performances who won its Oscars can spout pompous platitudes till the cows come Missing tells a story of the here and now tet-revolution frey utton counter-revolution Without question it gets Socialist 'disappearances' tually higher' Amnesty by exposing these dreadful crimes do a real service. They offer some hope to the prisoners rotting in the knowing that at any tims. these regimes, they could be dragged ou executed They also arm the socialist ment in its fight against murder and injustice. socialists we must oppos frame-ups and the use oi torture wherever they take place, whoever's name they take place None ot whilst Caines like these @ Available from Other Bookshops, 328 Upper St London NI; 137 Digbeth Birmingham 4.