小国家

SMALL COUNTRY is set in Uruguay’s political turmoil of the early 70s and told from the point of view of two lifelong friends whose families ended up on opposite sides of the conflict. Rosana is the privileged 11-year-old daughter of Severgnini (the police chief of Montevideo) and a sophisticated mother who objects to living in a working class neighborhood. Young Xavi and his family live next door. His father, a Spanish immigrant named Manuel, is a humble shoemaker. Both men are decent people and dedicated to their families, but political events compel them to make wrenching choices. Marxist guerrillas known as the Tupamaros are plotting to overthrow the authoritarian regime, and they’re putting pressure on Manuel to use his friendship with the police chief to help them. Meanwhile, the military government is taking over the civilian police and Severgnini is forced against his will to cooperate. As young Rosana and Xavi start to enjoy the beginnings of puppy love, their world is suddenly split apart in a way that will haunt them throughout their lives. Years later, when they reunite in Spain, neither of them can shake off the hold that their “paisito,” their SMALL COUNTRY, still has on them. (In Spanish with English subtitles)