Landmarks

Director: 

Lucrecia Martel

Genre: 

Documentary

Country/Region of production: 

Argentina, USA, Mexico, France, Netherlands, Denmark

Synopsis:

Landmarks is the first feature documentary by renowned Argentine director Lucrecia Martel. The film centers on the murder of Argentine indigenous leader Javier Chocobar and the underlying land disputes behind the incident. Drawing on years of accumulated footage, court records and community testimonies, it traces a years-long judicial process.

More than just documenting this true case, the film turns its lens to the complex and profound relationship between indigenous communities and their land, history and identity. As the truth gradually comes to light, audiences gain insight into the lingering legacy of colonial history, conflicts over land rights, and the protracted journey of marginalized social groups in their fight for fairness and dignity.

Why we recommend it:

As one of the most influential auteur directors in contemporary Argentine and even global cinema, Lucrecia Martel has long been internationally renowned for her sharp and distinctive cinematic language. Her works have been repeatedly shortlisted for top international film festivals, including Cannes and Venice, establishing her as a pivotal figure in Latin American cinema. In 2022, she was invited to serve as an international jury member for the Tiantan Award at the 12th Beijing International Film Festival, participating in the judging process alongside filmmakers from across the world.

Landmarks marks Martel's first foray into documentary filmmaking, yet it carries forward her consistent creative thread of focusing on social reality and historical memory. Rather than confining itself to the case itself, the film weaves together themes of land, memory and identity to highlight the deep-rooted structural issues embedded in Latin American society. Compared with traditional investigative documentaries, this work places greater emphasis on the expression of sound, space and visual details, transforming a real-life incident into a profound reflection on history, power and justice.

For audiences who wish to understand Latin American social realities, follow indigenous issues, or be familiar with Lucrecia Martel's creative oeuvre, Landmarks is more than just a documentary – it is a pivotal attempt by a world-class auteur to cross the boundary between fiction and reality. Combining social concern with artistic exploration, the film also opens a window for audiences to understand the history and reality of contemporary Argentina.