Paris honors Chilean documentary maker Patricio Guzmán, who died in September

Summary written by the Panorama newsroom from the sources listed below. Facts are attributed to the original publications.

The city of Paris paid tribute this Saturday (7) to Chilean documentary filmmaker Patricio Guzmán, who died in September, at 85, in the French capital, where he spent much of his life, Folha reported. The event featured applause, chants by activists and the presence of members of the Chilean group Quilapayún.

Guzmán portrayed the coup that overthrew President Salvador Allende and the struggle for memory after the dictatorship in Chile. He made about 15 documentaries, almost all about the country's recent history, among them the award-winning 'The Battle of Chile' and 'The Cordillera of Dreams'. In the city hall auditorium, 'Popular Power', which closes 'The Battle of Chile' trilogy, and 'Nostalgia for the Light' were screened.

One of the organizers, Paris city councilor Geneviève Garrigos, told the AFP news agency that it was impossible not to honor the filmmaker, who took refuge in France and from Paris made his voice heard against the Chilean dictatorship. She also said that, with the far right in charge of Chile, memory is being erased, referring to the government of José Antonio Kast.

Eduardo Carrasco and Hernán Gómez, of Quilapayún, took part in the ceremony. Carrasco stressed the historical value of 'Popular Power' for showing in detail what was happening in the country. A group performed songs such as 'Venceremos' and 'El Pueblo Unido Jamás Será Vencido'.

According to Folha, after Guzmán's death, figures from Chilean culture, such as director Pablo Larraín, criticized the country's authorities for doing nothing special in the face of the loss. The ceremony in Paris also remembered Chilean filmmaker Sebastián Lelio, an Oscar winner, who died the day before and for whom the Chilean government declared two days of mourning.