Austin Film Festival Documentary Review: ‘Norita’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Still from NORITA Courtesy of Francisco Villa.

It is definitely safe to say, that we are living in troubling times. After all, the fate of the planet is up in the air thanks to endless debate on how best we should tackle climate change, and that’s getting mucked up further by people who think science is subject to opinion. Not to mention, there’s an odd anger rising up in the world. The kind that has brought forth old haunts we thought we either conquered or were on our way to conquering and that’s got us in an uneasy space. Where we don’t know what the world will look like tomorrow or what the new guard with old ideals will try to impart upon us when they take charge and well, what’s truly scary… is that it seems no one is coming to help us.
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For these dark horizons are being met with a lot of silence, and the heroes we turned to in the past, simply don’t exist anymore. So, who then, will help us when the going gets tough? Who will be the hero we need in that moment? Well, likely everyday people. Which is a thought that seems outlandish at first, because we don’t think of everyday citizens being the people to rise up for what’s just, and be the voices and soldiers needed to combat the ugly of the world. But everyday people can be up to that task, and for proof… look no further than the past. For time and time again, regular folks with nothing to lose but everything to gain by standing up for what’s right… have accomplished wonders, and it just so happens that a documentary feature, explores how an everyday person can transform into the hero the world needs in Norita.

For this particular story, which screened at the Austin Film Festival this year, explores the life and times of Norita Cortiñas. Who in the 1970s was an everyday woman living in Argentina. Wherein she was raising a family and enjoying the wonder of that, but her life changed drastically in 1977. For her son went missing, courtesy of the new government that took over through a coup d’etat and went after people it believed to be enemies, and well… Norita wanted answers. For her son was unjustly whisked away, and she wasn’t the only one that suffered through that, and the lack of answers, and the disgusting behaviors of this new regime, prompted her to help form the Madres of Plaza de Mayo resistance movement. To stand against the rotten regime before them through protest, and rebellion and everything in between… to make their world better.

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Which brings forth, a fascinating story that few of us know, but should. In part because we need that kind of inspiration right now, but also because… Norita’s story is an important historical tale. One that chronicles an incredible fight against a ruthless regime, and it is a story that captivates. Since this documentary chronicles every detail of this harrowing period of time. Of the fear that washed over Argentina when these disappearances began, and the hope that Norita’s organization inspired since they were indeed fighting back and doing their best to expose the gross nature of the crimes of the ‘government’. But while it is indeed fascinating to learn about this madness, what’s more important, is that we learn so much from Norita’s story and fight for justice.
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Simply because, we see firsthand, how adversity transformed this everyday woman into a real freedom fighter. Of someone who was unafraid to stand against an evil and use her voice to inspire others to join her in the fight and well, what that teaches us is incredibly invaluable. In that, we far too often put the fate our nations and its salvation into the hands of others who may be unprepared to maintain it. So, it is, and will forever be, up to the people to keep it free and keep it just. For it is the people that matter more than the bloated politicians that make promises or hunger for power, and the sooner we realize that the sooner we will find comfort in our worries. Since such lessons remind us, we have more power than we think, and we can indeed make an impact and be the hero we seek.

All of which brings forth, a stunningly powerful documentary. One that is deeply relevant and deeply inspiring. Because it is just incredible to know that this everyday housewife, was able to transform herself into a freedom fighter. Someone that people admired and rallied behind and who, made a stunning impact in the world even after the fight was over. Because that’s what heroes do, they move onto the next just cause and well, that truly makes for a magnificent and uplifting story, one that we need in this world right now. As we continue to look for guidance, on how best to handle a world where close-minded crooks are seizing control and are eager to demand that we roll over and accept their awful agenda.

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