This film by award-winning cinematographer David Knaus is a very powerful story about the contradictory perceptions and roles of Americans in relation to the war in Nicaragua. It begins with the Congressional Hearings of the infamous Lt. Colonel “Ollie” North. It includes interviews with Comandante Tomas Borge, Nicaragua’s Minister for the Interior and comments from an ex-CIA agent and contra army commanders. Yet the core of “Contradictions” is the story of the ordinary citizens themselves. Nicaraguans wearied by the interference; U.S. citizens who feel they must take responsibility for the “War Crimes” of their administration. This is an important film and should be seen by anyone interested in Central America and recent American history and foreign policy. It won Best Foreign Film at the 1988 Cuban Film Festival.
How to watch
Collection
In ACMI's collection
Credits
Collection metadata
ACMI Identifier
300590
Language
English
Audience classification
PG
Subject categories
Anthropology, Ethnology, Exploration & Travel → Central America
Anthropology, Ethnology, Exploration & Travel → Nicaragua
Armed Forces, Military, War & Weapons → Iran-Contra Affair, 1985-1990
Armed Forces, Military, War & Weapons → War and society
Documentary
Documentary → Documentary films - Australia
Economics, Philosophy, Politics, Religion & Sociology → Political corruption
Economics, Philosophy, Politics, Religion & Sociology → United States - Foreign relations
Economics, Philosophy, Politics, Religion & Sociology → United States - Politics and government
Education, Instruction, Teaching & Schools → Peace - study and teaching
History → Central America - History
History → History
History → History, Modern
History → Iran-Contra Affair, 1985-1990
Places → Central America
Places → Nicaragua
Short films
Short films → Short films - Australia
Sound/audio
Sound
Colour
Colour
Holdings
VHS; Access Print (Section 1)