Watch The Fall of Fujimori

The Fall of Fujimori is a political documentary film directed by Ellen Perry, released in 2005. The movie explores the rise and fall of former Peruvian president Alberto Fujimori, who governed Peru from 1990 to 2000. Based on archival footage and interviews with Fujimori, his family members, and key political figures, the film provides a candid look at Fujimori's presidency and the events that led to his downfall.

The opening scenes of the documentary feature Fujimori's victory in the 1990 presidential election, in which he defeated internationally acclaimed writer, Mario Vargas Llosa. Fujimori, the son of Japanese immigrants to Peru, campaigned as a outsider and promised to tackle corruption, inflation, and terrorism. He quickly gained popularity for his tough stance against the Maoist guerrilla group, Shining Path, which had terrorized Peru for more than a decade.

However, Fujimori's anti-terrorist policies soon crossed ethical and legal boundaries. The documentary sheds light on Fujimori's authoritarian regime, which cracked down on human rights, free press, and political opposition. Fujimori dismantled Congress, dissolved the judiciary, and expanded the powers of the military and intelligence services. He also implemented a forced sterilization program, which targeted indigenous and poor women, and resulted in the death and injuries of many of them.

The film explores the personality of Fujimori, who is portrayed as a complex and contradictory figure. Fujimori is seen as a shrewd political strategist, who adopted various identities to appeal to different groups. He was often described as "chameleon," "robot," or "sphinx." The audience is shown how Fujimori's personal life became intertwined with his presidency. He divorced his wife, Susana Higuchi, who later accused him of corruption and human rights abuses. Fujimori's daughter, Keiko, is also featured in the film, as she played a central role in Fujimori's political career and his attempted comeback in the 2000s.

The turning point of Fujimori's presidency is marked by the exposure of a massive corruption scandal, in which Fujimori's intelligence chief, Vladimiro Montesinos, was caught on camera bribing a legislator. The documentary shows how the scandal sparked massive protests, which ultimately forced Fujimori to flee to Japan, his ancestral country. The movie explores the aftermath of his resignation, and the legal and political battles that followed.

Overall, The Fall of Fujimori offers a valuable insight into recent Peruvian history, and raises important questions about power, democracy, and justice. The film does not present a simplistic portrayal of Fujimori as a hero or a villain, but rather as a complex and flawed human being, who went from being a popular leader to a disgraced fugitive. The documentary also highlights the role of civil society, human rights organizations, and investigative journalists in challenging authoritarianism and holding leaders accountable.

In conclusion, The Fall of Fujimori is a compelling political documentary that combines archival material with testimonies from key figures to portray the rise and fall of Alberto Fujimori. The movie offers a nuanced analysis of the complexities of power and politics, and is a reminder of the importance of democracy, human rights, and transparency.