Spetember 11th in 1973 was one of the darkest days in the history of Chile. With the support of the USA General Pinochet deposed the elected socialistic president Salvador Allende and established one of the cruelest military dictatorships of the 20th century. Salvador committed suicide the same day. After he was defeated in the president’s election a couple of times, he was elected in 1970 and became president. His vision: liberty and justice and a better life for all citizens. With these aims he risked the experiment combining socialism and democracy.
The charismatic politician, who had always an open ear for the problems of the poor, reformed the allocation of land and nationalized many large concerns.
He was the hero of many Chileans who shared his visions, dreams and utopians. The message of his abrupt death was a shock to many of them, which many have not overcome till today.
The Chilean Producer Patricio Guzmán, who is living in exile since 1973, experienced this time as young Producer. With much indulgence, but nevertheless without hero worship he portraits the gentle worrier Salvador Allende and documents from a very personal view the rise and the fall of the president of Chile. Impressive photos from that time as well as interviews with companions and contemporary witnesses are letting the spirit and the enthusiasm of the time Allendes become sensible again, make the dreams and hopes reviving as well as they make the deep shock about the death of the loved president fathomable. The visions of Allende are fixed in the collective mind of the Chileans and influence their lives till today.