International Film series features historic Chilean election of 1988

LACONIA — The Laconia Human Relations Committee, in cooperation with the Laconia Public Library, will show the film, No, on Monday, Nov. 7, at 6:15 p.m. This is another in the International Film Series shown monthly from September through June at the library.

In 1988, after fifteen years of military dictatorship, the Chilean government with heavy international pressure asked the public to vote in a national plebiscite on whether the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet should stay in power for another eight years. The alternative would be an open democratic presidential election. The plebiscite would consist of a simple Yes or No on the ballot. 'Yes' meant keeping Pinochet. "No" meant changing to a democratic government.

The question was, with years of disappearances and known torture, could the public be persuaded that it is safe for them individually and as a nation to vote for change. After all, many have found their standard of living improved. They have become better off economically during Pinochet's time. Would they risk change?

Rene Saavedra (actor Gael Garcia Bernal) has just returned to Chile and is an in-demand advertising man who believes that the right advertising campaign would bring a No vote. This puts his boss in the position of risking the firm's demise politically. Enticed with the marketing challenge and his own loathing of Pinochet's tyranny, Rene suggests against all odds a lighthearted, upbeat approach of "happiness". He knew this would bring personal risk from the regime.

This 2012 film tells the true story of an historic campaign. The regime has limited it to 27 nights of television advertisements, in which each side has 15 minutes to present its point of view. High risks of intimidation and torture are taken on by all involved in the "No" campaign.