Second half of the 20th century (1945-1990)

La noche de los lápices (1986) Director: Héctor Olivera Actors: Alejo García Pintos, Vita Escardó, Pablo Novak Runtime: 105 min During the reign of the military junta in Argentina (1976-1983, a period now known as “The Dirty War“), between 17,000 and 30,000 people “disappeared”. In fact they were kidnapped by the military and the secret …

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Guilty By Suspicion (1991) Director: Irwin Winkler Actors: Robert De Niro Runtime: 105 min The beginning of the Cold War brought a new wave of anti-communist hysteria and “witch hunts” in the U.S. The Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations headed by Senator McCarthy took the leading role, accompanied by the House Committee on Un-American Activities – …

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Stander (2003) Director: Bronwen Hughes Actors: Thomas Jane, David O’Hara, Dexter Fletcher Runtime: 111 min Andre Stander was an officer in the South African police at the beginning of 1980s. A powerful revolt arises in him after the shock he experiences during his involvement in a police massacre of unarmed civilians at the rally of the …

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The Spook Who Sat by the Door (1973) Director: Ivan Dixon Actors: Lawrence Cook, Janet League Runtime: 102 min In the political climate of integration, the CIA was required to enroll African-American recruits, but because of very rigid criteria, only one of them manages to complete the training, and the job assigned to him was …

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Salvador (Puig Antich) (2006) Director: Manuel Huerga Actors: Daniel Brühl, Tristán Ulloa Runtime: 134 min Salvador Puig was a Spanish anarchist, member of the group MIL, which robbed banks and financed illegal political press, books and other materials, supported workers’ struggles and the fight against authoritarian regime of Francisco Franco. During the arrest, he killed …

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The Pentagon Papers (2003) Director: Rod Holcomb Actors: James Spader, Claire Forlani, Paul Giamatti Runtime: 92 min The protagonist of the movie is Daniel Ellsberg, a remarkable young analyst, who is the subject of the U.S. Cold War ideology of spreading liberal-democratic values and the threat of a communist ‘domino effect’. His greatest wish is …

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Some Mother’s Son (1996) Director: Terry George Actors: Helen Mirren, Aidan Gillen, John Lynch Runtime: 112 min This is story about the 1981. hunger strike of Irish political prisoners and the events that accompanied it. One of the main causes of conflict in Northern Ireland was discrimination against Catholics (Irish) by ruling Protestants (British loyalists). …

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Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011) Director: Tomas Alfredson Actors: Gary Oldman, Colin Firth, Tom Hardy Runtime: 127 min At the very top of the British intelligence agency MI6 is a Soviet double agent. Or maybe not? Very complex and dynamic espionage thriller set in the middle of the 1970s. From the beginning of the movie, …

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The Rum Diary (2011) Director: Bruce Robinson Actors: Johnny Depp Runtime: 120 min This movie was made as homage to Hunter S. Thompson, based on his semi-autobiographical novel of the same name. A young writer in search of work and inspiration arrives in Puerto Rico and begins working for the local newspaper. Condemned to write …

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Le salaire de la peur (1953) Director: Henri-Georges Clouzot Actors: Yves Montand Runtime: 148 min Several foreigners of various nationalities are trapped in a village in South America. The road leads only to oil rigs, the railroad doesn’t exist, and airplane is the only means of transportation, but none of them can afford the ticket. …

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