Documentary ‘Landmarks’ examines killing of Indigenous leader in Argentina
The Story
“Landmarks” is a documentary by Argentine filmmaker Lucrecia Martel focusing on the 2009 killing of Indigenous leader Javier Chocobar in a land dispute. Martel spent about 15 years on the film, which won best film at last year’s BFI London film festival.
Key Facts
- Javier Chocobar was a 68-year-old activist and leader of the Diaguita people from the Chuschagasta community in Tucumán, killed on 12 October 2009.
- The killing was filmed by accused mining businessman Darío Luis Amín, who arrived with two former police officers, Luis Humberto Gómez and Eduardo José del Milagro Valdivieso Sassi.
- Footage shows Gómez opening fire; eight more gunshots are heard. None of the Indigenous people were armed. Chocobar died and others were shot but survived.
- The three accused were convicted, appealed, and were allowed to remain free pending appeal. Amín died of Covid in 2021; at the end of last year, the supreme court ordered imprisonment of the two former police officers.
- Martel says the film addresses a historical conflict and usurpation of Indigenous lands in Argentina, and she believes Argentine racism is tied to the country’s self-image as a European nation.
Conflicting Reports
No conflicting reports identified in the source article.
Still Unclear
The article does not specify the current status of the appeal for the two former police officers nor the outcome of the Chuschagasta community’s land recognition claim.
Misconceptions
The article addresses the discourse around cultural appropriation, noting that Martel sees it as sometimes causing uncertainty among film-makers about what subjects they are allowed to address.
Key Figures
- Lucrecia Martel (Argentinian filmmaker)
- Javier Chocobar (Diaguita leader)
- Darío Luis Amín (mining businessman)
- Luis Humberto Gómez (former police officer)
- Eduardo José del Milagro Valdivieso Sassi (former police officer)
Sources: The Guardian
