The Pearl Button

For a country that essentially consists of a coastline and towering peaks, it is no wonder that Chile's history is marked by people's relation to water. Long before the Spaniards came to Chile, the people here used the sea to get around as much as possible to obtain food. The sea meant everything to them. The ocean off the coast of Chile is still one of the richest fishing areas in the world, but canoes and nets have been replaced by floating fish factories owned by giant corporations with headquarters far away from Chile.

The Pearl Button is a nostalgic glance at the Chilean's long-lasting relationship with the sea and how this has shaped the country today. The result is a beautiful and poetic film about a nation's identity. Director Guzmán brings in not only indigenous mythology, but also connects this with the regime that Chile lived with under Pinochet.

The Pearl Button is not a documentary filled with facts and figures, but still provides much room for reflection. Stylistically, the film has much in common with Guzmán's previous documentary, Nostalgia for the Light. Also this time much of the history is characterized by memories of the time when Pinochet ruled the country. Back then the sea was not only a source of nutrition, but also the graveyard for a number of those who disappeared between 1973 and 1990.

Patricio Guzmán (b. 1941) is a Chilean writer and director. He has made several documentaries about Chile's history. The period under Pinochet's rule has characterized much of Guzmán's life, which is evident in his filmography. Among his most famous films are documentaries Salvador Allende (2004) and Nostalgia for the Light (2010).