Chilean Officer's Moral Crisis Unveiled in 1970s Coup Drama

The film 'The Red Hangar,' directed by Juan Pablo Sallato, offers a stark portrayal of moral dilemmas during the 1970s Chilean military coup. It centers on Captain Jorge Silva, who is ordered to convert the Air Force Academy into a center for detention and torture following the coup led by General Augusto Pinochet. This narrative, inspired by true events, is described as the first Latin American thriller to explore the internal workings of the military during that period.

The movie's aesthetic choice of black and white was deliberate, aiming to evoke the era's memory and visually represent the story's profound moral ambiguities. Director Sallato was drawn to the perspective of a military officer caught between orders and conscience, a rarely explored angle that he believes remains relevant today. The film challenges viewers to consider their own responsibility in hostile contexts.

Filming presented significant logistical hurdles, particularly in finding authentic 1970s locations. After facing refusal at a Chilean Air Force base, the production relocated to Mendoza, Argentina, successfully recreating the historical setting. This challenge ultimately fostered a strong co-production between Chile, Argentina, and Italy, highlighting the vitality of collaborative independent cinema. The title, 'The Red Hangar,' directly references the actual detention space. The 'red' symbolizes violence and the political climate, while the 'hangar,' a place of shelter, becomes a site of institutional transformation and repression, mirroring the film's core theme.

Sallato, known for documentaries and series, plans further fiction projects. He is developing 'Los niños están grandes,' based on a play, and 'Simulacro,' a film about Chilean goalkeeper Roberto Rojas's controversial 1989 incident. These projects underscore a continued commitment to exploring compelling human stories.