Watch Blame it on Fidel

Blame it on Fidel is a 2006 French drama film directed by Julie Gavras. The film is based on an autobiographical novel by Domitilla Calamai, and it follows the story of a nine-year-old girl named Anna (Nina Kervel-Bey) during the tumultuous times of the late 1970s in France. The film takes place in the aftermath of the 1973 Chilean coup d'état, which leads to the arrival of refugees like Anna's Spanish lawyer parents, Fernando (Stefano Accorsi) and Marie (Julie Depardieu), who are both fervent activists against the oppressive regime of General Pinochet. The family is deeply committed to leftist politics, but when they decide to go to Chile to support the socialist government and do not return for several months, Anna and her younger brother are left with their conservative, Catholic French grandparents.

At first, Anna is hesitant to adjust to her new life with her grandparents, who are strict and traditional. She doesn't understand why they pray before every meal or why they are so resistant to the changes that her parents and their activist friends want to enact in society. However, as she becomes more integrated into her new surroundings, Anna begins to recognize the benefits of having a stable home life, with rules and boundaries that give her a sense of security and belonging.

Over the course of the film, Anna undergoes a transformation as she learns to navigate her conflicting emotions about her parents' political activism and her own desire for stability and normalcy. Along the way, she forms unlikely friendships with her prim and proper cousin and a young boy from a working-class family who introduces her to the joys of listening to rock music.

Blame it on Fidel is a poignant and nuanced exploration of the tensions between political ideology and personal relationships, as well as an illuminating window into the political and social climate of France in the late seventies. The performances from the cast are strong, particularly Kervel-Bey, who portrays Anna with a sense of authenticity and vulnerability that resonates with the audience.

In addition to its thought-provoking subject matter and engaging characters, Blame it on Fidel is also notable for its historical accuracy and attention to detail. The film features archival footage of events like the Chilean coup and the May 68 protests in France, which helps to situate the narrative within its broader social and political context.

Overall, Blame it on Fidel is a moving and insightful film that explores complex themes and ideas with sensitivity and grace. It's a must-see for anyone interested in political history, coming-of-age stories, or French cinema.