Mariella Frostrup talks to Gael Garcia Bernal about NO
On 12 February 2013 we presented screenings across the UK of Pablo Larrain's latest feature film, in association with Network Releasing and Picturehouse Cinemas. Nominated for Best Foreign Language Film Oscar, NO tells the true story of an advertising executive in Chile recruited by the opposition to help them defeat a referendum that would allow Augusto Pinochet to rule for another eight years.
The resulting 'No' campaign succeeded in ending over 16 years of military dictatorship, and is a powerful representation of the change we can achieve when we come together to stand against oppression.
We had representatives at every Picturehouse screening, and members of the Chilean community in the UK were present at most events for lively post-film discussions about the situation in the country then and now.
In the lead up to the screenings we conducted a live Q&A with Gael Garcia Bernal and Eugenio Garcia, the man on who his character is partly based.
2013 marks 40 years since a bloody coup led by General Augusto Pinochet overthrew the democratically-elected government of Chile and the beginning of a regime that committed horrific human rights abuses for more than 16 years.
Thousands of people were tortured and killed, others 'disappeared' at the hands of the authorities and more were illegally detained. Men, women and children were rounded up by the military and taken from their homes. Most were never seen alive by their families again.
In 1988 the country held a referendum - the plebiscite - to determine whether or not Pinochet would be able to extend his rule for another eight years. It seemed like a foregone conclusion. But 2013 also marks 25 years since the 'No' campaign sucessfully defeated this referendum, and brought about the fall of Pinochet's military junta.
Over two decades later and thousands of people are still waiting for justice. Several Pinochet-era laws remain in place, standing directly in the way of justice. Our work was instrumental in exposing the brutal reality of Pinochet's junta during his rule, and we have never given up the fight for justice. We stand with the Chilean people in their struggle and continue to call for an end to the impunity granted perpetrators of brutal human rights violations.