The Fall of Fujimori

The Fall of Fujimori is a fascinating, politically-dense, and historical documentary released in 2005. It chronicles the life and presidency of Alberto Fujimori, who was President of Peru from 1990 to 2000. Directed by Ellen Perry, the documentary features a series of interviews, news footage, archived data, and personal accounts to create a vivid picture of Fujimori’s rule.

The documentary is a deep dive into the tumultuous and controversial era of Peruvian history under Fujimori's rule. Comprehensively, it paints a portrait of a complex character, portraying Fujimori as a contradictory figure - a savior to some and a corrupt dictator to others.

The Fall of Fujimori opens with Alberto Fujimori himself, making a candid appearance and converting the film into a type of autobiography. The narrative is built on a series of interviews with the former president, captured while he was living in self-imposed exile in Japan after fleeing Peru amidst mounting corruption charges.

Within these interviews, Fujimori reflects on his rise to power, his presidency, the decisions he made, and the circumstances that led to his resignation. The documentary's focus on Fujimori's point of view gives an in-depth understanding of the man and his motivations, helping us appreciate the complexity of his legacy. It is this personal perspective that sets The Fall of Fujimori apart from many other political documentaries.

We witness Fujimori's journey, the son of poor Japanese immigrants, who rose to become a mathematician and agronomist before making an unlikely leap into politics. His sudden victory in the presidential elections of 1990 over popular novelist Mario Vargas Llosa surprised many, marking the beginning of a decade-long era of Fujimori rule.

The film exposes a period of extreme violence imposed by Maoist revolutionary group, El Sendero Luminoso (The Shining Path). The group sought a class war, which resulted in a national crisis, with kidnappings, bombings, and murders becoming terrifyingly common. Fujimori’s stringent measures, including the questionable allowance of death squads and his infamous self-coup where he dissolved the Peruvian congress, reflect a stark image of his presidency.

Apart from Fujimori's own narrations, the film comprises interviews with various key players, including politicians, aides, journalists, and victims of his rule. These myriad voices help in creating a multi-faceted portrait of Alberto Fujimori. Notably, the film does not inherently take a side but presents a balanced perspective, leaving the viewers to form their own opinion about Fujimori's reign.

By examining the extreme actions taken during his rule, the political scandals, and his eventual downfall, The Fall of Fujimori sheds light on the intricate workings of power, political corruption, and the struggle for democracy within a nation.

The later part of the film wrestles with the aftermath of his rule, his capture in Chile, and eventual extradition back to Peru to face charges of human rights abuses and corruption. It addresses the complexity of his legacy—a dictatorial regime that restored order and crushed a violent insurgency but trampled on human rights and democratic norms in the process.

Visually, the film blends the use of archival footage, photographs, newspaper headlines, and personal anecdotes, creating a seamless narrative that vividly illustrates the period under review. Director Ellen Perry's meticulous research and storytelling do justice to the complexity of Peru's socio-political history, ensuring The Fall of Fujimori is both educational and engaging.

To sum up, The Fall of Fujimori is a compelling film that offers an extraordinary look into a significant period of Peru's history and the man at its center. However, it begs the question of how far we are willing to go for peace and security and at what cost. The movie leaves the audience with a better understanding of Fujimori’s motivations and the consequences of his rule, making it a worthy watch for history enthusiasts and political science scholars alike.