Two Talented Filmmakers Make Their Mark in the Oscar Race with Feature Debuts
This year, the Oscar race welcomes two talented emerging filmmakers making their feature directorial debuts. Paraguayan director Juanjo Pereira has garnered attention for his documentary, Under the Flags, the Sun, which won the prestigious FIPRESCI Prize at the Berlin Film Festival. This impactful film delves into the dark history of Paraguay from 1954 to 1989, a period marked by the oppressive rule of military dictator Gen. Alfredo Stroessner. Supported by various U.S. administrations as a staunch anti-communist ally, Stroessner ruthlessly silenced perceived leftist opponents, resulting in widespread torture and disappearances.
In a significant move, Paraguay has selected Under the Flags, the Sun as its official entry for the Oscar for Best International Feature Film. During a recent episode of Deadline’s Doc Talk podcast, Pereira discussed Paraguay’s critical role in the covert Operation Condor, a CIA-coordinated initiative that orchestrated “dirty wars” across Latin America during the Cold War. He also revealed chilling connections to notorious Nazi doctor Josef Mengele, who reportedly found sanctuary in Paraguay and may have served as Stroessner’s personal physician.
Our conversation with Pereira took place at the Camden International Film Festival in Maine, a key venue for both emerging and established filmmakers. During the festival, Doc Talk also featured an interview with Paige Bethmann, an Indigenous filmmaker showcasing her documentary, Remaining Native, which is also vying for Oscar consideration this year.
Remaining Native tells the inspiring story of Ku Stevens, a 17-year-old Indigenous athlete from a Paiute reservation in Nevada. Despite limited resources, Ku has risen to become the top distance runner in his state, with aspirations of earning a scholarship to the University of Oregon. The film poignantly addresses his internal struggle between pursuing elite training opportunities and staying connected to his cultural roots.
Bethmann’s documentary pays homage to Ku’s great-grandfather, a survivor of the infamous Indian boarding school system who undertook a perilous 50-mile journey as a boy to escape the institution and return home.
Catch the latest insights on these remarkable filmmakers and their powerful stories on the newest episode of Doc Talk, hosted by Oscar winner John Ridley (12 Years a Slave, Shirley) and Matt Carey, Deadline’s senior documentary editor. This engaging podcast is produced by Deadline and Ridley’s Nō Studios. Listen to the episode now on major platforms including Spotify, iHeart, and Apple.
