Fiesta Patria

Fiesta Patria is a story revolving around two families who meet for a get-together celebrating the national holidays of Chile along with the engagement of their children (Macarena & Alvaro). The girl's parents(Isabel & Antonio) who play the hosts have some unresolved issues between them but they decide to work peacefully till the guests leave.

All seems to go well until a person from Isabel's past arrives at the party. His presence tends to bring out all issues that have been unsuccessfully hidden by all.

The background is based upon the political upheaval that took place in Chile in the year 1973. Two sides were fighting each other then; the Communists and the Military. Most of the guests lie on either side of the divide and this is cause of tension among them.

The film tries to portray how even after all these years the people of Chile have still not forgotten the events of the past and it continues to be a very sensitive subject. The director of this movie Luis Vera had himself suffered due the political upheaval due to which he had to live abroad in exile. The film basically tries to question whether the past can ever be forgotten to build a new tomorrow or if it should be used to build the base for the future.

The director has been successful in bringing out such problems to the forefront although, he has not explained certain relationships like the one between Ernesto and Antonio's other daughter. It has further been difficult for me to feel sympathetic towards Macarena to the level at which the director demands.

A good film if you are into family based dramas with a sprinkling of black comedy if one can say so.