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Flamingo's Gaze: AIDS Fear in 1980s Chile
6 Dec
Summary
- Film centers on a child raised by a queer family in 1980s Chile.
- Family is blamed for a mysterious illness amid rising AIDS fear.
- The film is Chile's official submission for the International Feature Film Oscar.

Diego Céspedes' acclaimed film, "The Mysterious Gaze of the Flamingo," offers a poignant look at the 1980s through the eyes of an 11-year-old girl named Lidia. Raised by a queer family in a secluded Chilean mining town, Lidia's world is shattered by the emergence of AIDS, a disease that her family is wrongly blamed for.
The narrative follows Lidia's journey as she confronts violence, fear, and hatred, seeking vengeance while finding solace in her family's love. Director Céspedes draws inspiration from his own experiences, reflecting on the societal prejudices and the personal impact of the AIDS epidemic on his parents' generation.
Selected as Chile's official entry for the International Feature Film Oscar, the film's power lies in its sensitive portrayal of a child's perspective. Céspedes emphasizes the unfiltered emotions and lack of prejudice in children, allowing for a more profound exploration of the story's themes.




