Fall of Fujimori [DVD] [2006] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]

A.O. Scott, the principal film critic for The New York Times, called The Fall Of Fujimori 'Excellent' in January, 2006 when the film had its theatrical premiere at Film Forum in Manhattan. Based on this, and other rave reviews, I braved long lines in New York to see this film on the big screen and it blew me away.

I am very pleased that it is now on DVD.

Filmmaker Ellen Perry has chosen a subtle, restrained cinematic brush to paint a devastating portrait of Alberto Fujimori. Rather than hitting us over the head with any possible preconceived opinions, (a la Fahrenheit 9/11) Ms. Perry respects our intelligence and lets us draw our own conclusions from her exploration of Mr. Fujimori's path.

This film doesn't try to be a history lesson. It's a portrait of how power can corrupt and, of course, of the risks to democracy in pursuit of the abolition of terrorism. Indeed something in which we Americans are now well involved ourselves.

Other films which explored the perils of power like "The Fog Of War" and "Idi Amin Dada" were equally compelling and yet they didn't have the finesse and elegance of "The Fall Of Fujimori."

Ms. Perry has the eye and the story sense of a feature filmmaker, and uses this to carefully explore the actions of Fujimori, The Shining Path, and their impact on Peruvian society. The subtleties of the film's editing and the haunting musical score further serve to create a foreboding mood.

For example, the opening sequence, showing Fujimori packing his own bags, putting on makeup (!) and rolling his own luggage alone down a hotel hallway paint a clearer a picture of where Fujimori is today than any ranting editorial could.

We see Fujimori as a tragic figure - not a victim in any way - but a leader, who like so many others corrupted by power truly believes that he is right in his actions. We are not asked to sympathize with him - we may even revile him - but we are left to make our own decisions as to the correctness of his actions.

On the DVD, check out Ms. Perry's commentary - it's also wonderful.

I basically stumbled onto this film after having watched the aclaimed film "Our Brand Is Crisis" about American professional political operatives working in the presidential campaign in Bolivia. While the latter is, while important as a political film, barely watchable from a storytelling point of view. "The Fall of Fujimori" is a fascinating character piece with moments that are so absurd that you can't help but laugh in that uncomfortable way that so many great documentries do.

I like to think of myself as well versed in international politics, but I knew very little about Peruvian politics beyond the Japanese Embassy siege and the horrific legacy of the Shinning Path in the countryside. The film assumes a certain amount of knowledge of South American politics in general, but is very watchable even with that that. With the addition of the excellent director's commentary track I feel like I have a good idea about the way that country works and more importantly will not be surprised when Keiko Fujimori comes to power as I am now sure she will once she reaches to minimum age to run for president.

I think it is mistake to assume that this is a simple story of a CIA backed regime because it is blatently obvious to me that if Montesinos--the brutal and ultimately stupid egomanic behind Fujimori's security apparatus--ever did work for the CIA, he wasn't at the time of the Fujimori government. It seems more likely that that he was in the pocket of the narco-traffickers that he had defended as a lawyer prior to his involvement with Fujimori.

I suspect the CIA did have a part to play in the destruction of Montesinos, and through him Alberto Fujimori, but that was indirect by leaking evidence of the massive corruption to the Peruvian press. At best Fujimori's government distant ally to the United States in latin America, but the minute that Montesinos was discovered to be trafficking arms to the same Columbian government the US has been spending billions of dollars to fight... he became counter productive to US interests in the region.

It would also be a mistake in my mind to make a simple equation that Fujimori's Peru battling terrorism has a direct parallel to the US battle with Al Queda. As the director points out in the commentary track, the US has much stronger institutions than Peru did and still does. What I think it is more instructive of is the undercurrent of right wing politics in Japanese politics that is often hidden behind the vener of the post-WWII pacifist constitution. Fujimori became a rock star to people who wanted a strong Japan and longed for a strongman Japanese figure. I wonder if they will so readily embrace his daughter Keiko as she emerges as the next "strongman" in that family.

All in all I think what I can say most about this film is that I have already watched it several times--something not always the case with documentaries--and found new and interesting parts of it each time. Even stripped of it's place as a political film, it is still a fascinating character study that will outlast the particular winds of the current War on Terror.

This is a great documentary. It puts a sharp focus on both the success and the foibles of a very controversial South American leader.It also acts as a cautionary tale about the "tunnel vision" of a government obsessed with a single goal while ignoring or in some cases encouraging the damage this attention brings about.
Lots of great historical footage brings perspective to the madness.

Diana Mercer is the co-author of Your Divorce Advisor and her company is [...]