Oblivion

New Zealand Premiere

There are countries that are of little or no interest to the rest of the world; places that are only remembered when a major catastrophe happens or when its politics become relevant to other countries. But when even a coup d'état is considered commonplace by the rest of the world, these places are eventually simply forgotten. One such place is Peru.

El Olvido (oblivion) visits Peru’s capital city Lima in search of memories. We meet people who think back to a period of terrorism and violence that was somehow still better than the present circumstances of extreme poverty. And we meet children who cannot remember either good or bad memories because the only thing they do is survive.

The people of Lima must struggle to survive because even their own presidents seem to have forgotten them. The interviews in El Olvido are intercut with inauguration footage of the presidents of the last few decades, swearing their oaths of loyalty to the country and its people. The interviewees leave little doubt as to how they feel about them.

Ironically, the presidents become just another figure in a long line of corrupt administrations, whereas the common working-class people that are interviewed are endearing and charismatic. These common people reveal a strength and grace that inspires and is worth remembering.