No Pasaran (Film Review)

Submitted by mjt on 23 May, 2005 - 13:07.

Note: This is a documentary film, not a major motion picture.

No Pasaran (Also released as "Nicaragua - No Pasaran”) ; c1984 ; 74 minutes ; English ; Written and directed by David Bradbury. An examination of the past and future of Nicaragua, as seen through the eyes of one of the founders of the modern resistance to U.S. foreign policy. Examined are the challenges the Sandinista movement poses to perceived U.S. interests, as well as those of the Catholic Church.

Australian independent filmmaker David Bradbury spent 6 months in Nicaragua, working on the “No Pasaran” project. As he has done in other films, Bradbury chooses to tell much of the story of many, through the eyes of one. His account of Nicaragua is told, to a great extent, through Tomas Borge (Sandinista Minister of the Interior – one-ninth of “The Directorate”, and fully in charge of Police and State Security, amidst the struggle with the U.S.-backed Contras).

Borge, arguably the then only surviving member of the original Sandinista leadership, spent the better part of 20 years as a political fugitive, and who spent 6 years in prison (where he was tortured; his wife was kidnapped, raped, tortured and killed by Somoza’s Nicaraguan National Guard), is without doubt a rather charismatic character, and is convincing in his first-hand telling of the revolution.

In some respects, the film covers the various political denunciations (claims made by the Reagan Administration, that Nicaragua was destabilizing Central America; that it was a puppet of the then Soviet Union; that it was Castro’s jumping-off point; that Nicaragua would be the next Vietnam; that is was un-Catholic; etc., etc., etc.). Most of these myths are shown for what they were, and are.

This film is often overlooked because it does not cover two key events in the conflict, and the history of it, namely the U.S. Congressional investigation (Iran-Contra hearings), and the public disclosure and acceptance as fact, that forces in the U.S. Government had mined the harbor of the country (film was made before these events were initiated or known). Though, in retrospect, the tendecny to overlook this film seems unfounded, as what is revealed in the film is exactly what people were concerned with prior to the general public being privy to what was going on in Nicaragua, 1983-1984.

While it is debatable if the use of re-enactments in documentary films adds historical perspective (are you closer to the truth if you “see” an actor in pain, playing the man who was tortured, than you are if you are simply given the facts surrounding the actual torture?) this film is reasonably well done, though definitely biased. The parts of the film chronicling the history of Nicaraguan are not all that impressive, but those done via first-hand testimony and interview, are rather impressive.

Note: This film is sometimes used in academic courses, and related studies of propaganda. However, the film is no more biased than are many political documentaries. If you know this going in, it should not detract from what you get out of the film.

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nicaraguan movies

Submitted by viva722 on 25 May, 2005 - 14:27.

How can I find these films? Anyone know? I would be willing to buy. thanks.

Not all are always available

Submitted by Adrian on 29 May, 2005 - 20:05.

Not all documentary films are readily available in the sense that most hollywood productions and comparable movies are sold in countless locations for a small amount of money. Some documentaries are rarely if ever sold to the general public. They tend to be exhibited at film festivals, then VHS/DVD copies are later (sometimes, much, much later) sold to film schools and select university programs, often at very high prices. As an example, this Australian film "No Pasaran" is again out of print. To buy it you would need to locate a distributor who has a copy left around after buying it before 2003 or so. Also, the film is expensive. Since most prices are set for libraries (places which borrow for free to numerous people) and not a single comsumer, the price is often somewhat unbelievable. In 2003 this film was more than $250 U.S. Same with some other films reviewed here like "Fire From the Mountain", which can sell for $350 or more. This is more than most people would pay for a single film. A local university is your best option, especially if you are in North America, because academic places there often allow the local community to view movies onsite, for free or for a tiny fee. The other option is a latin american retrospective or film festival offering. Again, these are most common in North America, and in larger cities. The drawback is that it is sometimes visually overwhelming. You buy a pass to the festival, but then, assuming you want to see the best they have to offer, are viewing mostly 1-hour films every other hour, all day and part of the night, for 2-3 days. It can be too much for many people. If you do wish to buy something, normal video sellers are usually not of much help. One specialist place, The Latin American Video Archives, which handles sales to the public is:

www.lavavideo.org

You can search their site at least two ways, and neither appears "perfect". After selecting the "Search All Titles" option on the left, enter "Nicaragua" in the "Original Title" bar. A slightly different list can be generated within their site by doing only a country search (simply scroll down in the country listing, to "Nicaragua"). Not all documentary films are so high, but $85-$125 is often considered on the low end for a film documentary. Also, if a film is listed as out-of-print, that does not mean it will not suddenly be "in-print" later that year. Many distributors issue VHS/DVD copies only once a year, or on an irregular schedule.

Films and Movies

Submitted by carina_cisneros on 28 May, 2005 - 00:55.

Most movies, but not all, are relatively cheap, via VHS or DVD. A film, or documentary film as people use the phrase here is quite different. Often the best way to buy it is directly off the directors website. But, many films are not $15-24 like VHS tapes. A more common price is $50-150. So, unless you wish to own the tape or use it for education purposes, it is best to view it at a local college or University which might have it in their book-video library.