La Historia Oficial, I believe, is one of the most moving films we have viewed so far in this class. I think many of us can identify with this film, being mothers and fathers,knowing that we might do the same things in our own lives if we were in a similar situation.
Will there be a light at the end of the tunnel for Gaby? The hope is that there will be, although life as she had known it may be very different. Best case scenario would be she would eventually learn the truth about her parents and be known by her true family, while maintaining the love and support of her adoptive family members.
Gaby is a 5 year old girl adopted by the affluent Alicia and Roberto as an infant. She is very much loved and pampered by her adoptive parents. As the story unfolds, Alicia, who initially is naive regarding the political situation occurring over the past several years, begins to wonder about the adoption process that surrounded their adoption of Gaby after a reunion conversation with her high school friend Ana. Ana alludes to the fact that many people "disappeared" during this political regime, and many of the women that were pregnant had their babies given over to high political and military officials. This conversation stirs wonder in Alicia as she has never been given any details of the adoption, it was all handled by Roberto. As Alicia begins her search for information regarding the adoption, she is met by many obstacles but eventually meets Sara, the possible grandmother of Gaby. Sara's daughter "disappeared" when pregnant and when Alicia sees a picture of Sara's daughter as a child, she realizes the strong resemblance between the daughter and Gaby. Alicia attempts to present Sara and the possibilities to Roberto, but is met with strong resistance involving Roberto physically assaulting Alicia, Roberto being desperately stressed regarding his work/political situation and now being confronted with the possibility of loosing his child. In a final scene when Alicia takes her purse and walks out the door, we do not know when or if the family will reunite.
The controversy between fact and emotion are meant to evoke the mood of hope and hopelessness in reaction to a war environment. Facts are clear cut, emotions are based on feelings created from past experiences.
The demonstrations by the Grandmothers of the Plaza de Mayo for the "disappeared" depict the fact of the disappearance vs. the emotional aspect of not being able to find a beloved family member,evoking a hope for answers with a realization that it may be an effort in futility.
Alicia's quest for information about Gaby's parents also demonstrates this. Fact is that she knows Gaby was adopted, emotion is she really doesn't want to find out that Gaby's mother was one of those that had "disappeared". Her hope is she will find definitive information disproving her fears, hopeless in the eventual realization she will never have definitive proof. Alicia's goal is for clear answers but in reality she finally understands she will never get those answers. Alicia's hope is the truth for Gaby, hopelessness in knowing the truth could destroy her family.
Alicia's confession to the priest is a mixture of hope and hopelessness, again based on the facts/emotion of the situation. Her desire for the truth (hope) is met by a brick wall of the priest (hopelessness).
This film is factual in that it was based on actual events that transpired related to the war environment in Argentina. We see how the people were effected emotionally related to events that occurred (Ana, Grandmothers) and how hope for information and closure was sustained through their efforts, but also hopelessness in many times never gaining closure.
I really struggled with answering this question and could be way off in my response. Hope to gain more insight from other's blogs.
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Very well-structured. You have answered point by point with great input and clarification.
ReplyDeleteIn order to help you with your difficulties answering this question you can say that at the end of the tunnel it seems that there is no light for Gaby due to a possible rupture of the relationship between Alicia and Roberto. Or due to the end of Roberto's money making period supported by the corrupted government. In that case, Roberto and Alicia might lose Gaby. This will cause more pain in little Gaby's future. In that way the future seem to be dark and hopeless for Gaby. This is just an example of inferring based on the information provided. But you can also take the other side, which says there will be light, there will be hope and support your reasoning.
Just wanted to give you some input based on your last paragraph.
Interesting points. I think Alecia was very courageous to research about Gabby's parents. It was obvious Roberto did not want her to get any information about their daughter. I found it interesting when Alecia is talking to the priest that she asks him if he was there and he does not answer, but just goes on with the confession as if she did not speak. I was glad Sara was brought into the story as a possible grandmother. She seemed so saddened by her childrens disappearence and was relentlesslly searching for information. I think finding Gabby gave her some comfort. Roberto was quite a character wasn't he? I hope she stays far away from him. He really beat her, I couldn't watch after he slammed her head into the wall. That made my stomach turn. I was totally surprised by that. I guess it does represent his military background.
ReplyDeletesue davish
I thought your blog was very good. I disagree at the end though when you said that Alicia's search for answers about the truth behing Gaby's adoption was hopeless. I think that when Roberto asulted her she knew the answer. I think that he gave her the answer loud and clear with every every time he slammed her head into the wall and her hand in the door. I also think that she left him at the end because she found out the answer. She wanted a child so badly that she was willing to be in the dark on how it came to be, but after she became a mother it mattered to her. She wanted to know that she was not the cause of anothers death to fulfill her desire.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your blog.
I know I can identify with film. I would not be able to rest not knowing if my child was taken from someone unwillingly.
ReplyDeleteThe movie left me to believe that her parents were no longer alive. If this is the case I hope Alicia continued to care for this child as her own. Gaby is only 5, she is too young to understand the truth of her parents and the political mess that surrounds her family.
I believe Sara would be happy being a part of the little girl's life without completely disrupting it. I think Roberto, Alicia and Sara all want what is best for this little girl. But in the end I was left with so many questions.
I thought you made a very good blog. You have very valid points. I forgot about the scene with the priest. I would hope that there would be light for Gaby's life, as anyone would. As Mothers, I think that we would do whatever it took for our children to be happy, even if it meant not being with us. I think Gaby, even they didn't live with Roberto, would love Alicia as her Mother forever. Alicia raised her from birth, and wasn't aware of the situation, providing an opportunity for forgiveness. If I was Gaby, I don't think I could forgive Roberto. In the end, Gaby just needs lot of love, if it was from Sara, Alicia, and Roberto. I enjoyed your blog. See you in class!
ReplyDeleteTara McFadden