“Valentín”: Actividad de video
Before the movie…
A. What do you know about 1967? Imagine you're a kid in 1967, and answer the following questions:
1. ?Cuál es tu programa de televisión favorito?
2. ?Qué haces todos los días? Piensa en tres actividades.
B. Now think of the typical 1967 family. Do you think families were the same as they're today? Think of three adjectives that can define a family in 1967. ( Usa el vocabulario de las páginas 70 y 71 del libro o pregunta a tu instructor/a.)
1. ____________________________ 2. _____________________________
3.______________________________
You're going to watch a movie about an Argentinean kid, Valentín, in 1967. While watching the movie, think of the ideas that you have written. How different/similar are to the ideas in the movie?
After the movie…
A. Now answer the following questions about the movie. Compare and contrast your answers with the ideas you wrote before watching the movie.
1. ?Quién es Valentín? ?Dónde vive Valentín? ?Cuántos a?os tiene?
2. ?Cómo es Valentín? Describe su apariencia física y personalidad. (Usa el vocabulario de las páginas 70 y 71 del libro.)
3. ?Qué profesión quiere tener Valentín?
4. ?Cuál es su programa favorito de televisión?
5. ?Quiénes son sus amigos? ?Cómo son sus amigos?
6. ?Con quién vive Valentín? Describe la familia de Valentín (puedes hacer un árbol genealógico).
7. ?Qué hace Valentín todos los días? ?Cómo es la vida de Valentín en la Argentina de 1967?
8. ?Cómo es su papá?
9. ?Cómo es la vida de Valentín al final de la película?
10. ?Te gusta esta película?
B. Now we'll analyze the movie…
1. This movie is based on the director's, Alejandro Agresti, childhood. Why do you think he chose to tell this story? What is the main message of the movie? Do you think it's an optimistic or a pessimistic movie? Why?
2. Do you think the story would be the same in Canada? What are some of the cultural aspects shown in the movie that make it different?
3. How do you imagine Valentín's life at the end of the movie and his future?
4. What does he do? What is he like as an adult?
5. One of the critics who reviewed this movie said that it "lacks a connection to its time and place that would put Valentin's dilemma in context. Argentina was on the brink of political chaos in the late '60s, just years away from the military junta that would claim the lives of thousands. But except for a reference to the death of Argentine-born Che Guevara in Bolivia by an outspoken priest--which causes the more conservative members of his flock to walk out in protest--it's as if Valentin is living in a big city void."
Source: cagotribune.com/movies/mmx-040519-movies-review-jp-valentin,0,3259938.story?coll=mmx-movies_top_heds
Do you agree with this assessment? Why?/Why not?
Now read the following article about Argentina in 1967 (from World Book encyclopedia). Are any of the events described in the article portrayed in the movie? Why?/Why not? If not, do you agree with the critic that says they should have? Why?/Why not?
Argentina 1967
Argentina made dramatic progress during 1967 in its efforts to recover from its economic doldrums. Foreign exchange reserves, including stand-by credits, totaled more than $900,000,000 for the first six months of 1967, a rise of about $456,000,000 over the same period in 1966. During the first half of 1967, the overall national product increased by 3.7 per cent, including a 13 per cent hike in agriculture due to increased production of cereals and beef. The balance of payments for the period was favorable by $336,500,000.
On March 13, the republic devalued the peso by approximately 40 per cent. It simultaneously made the currency freely convertible and promised "no further devaluations." The government also placed export duties on such profitable products as beef, wheat, unprocessed animal hides, and wool.
In May, the government announced arrangements had been completed for a $400,000,000 aid package from the International Monetary Fund, the U.S. Treasury, and various foreign banks. The sum would be used to raise the nation's currency reserves, stabilize the peso, and improve the balance of payments.
Labor Curbs. Argentina's labor unions, once the most powerful in Latin America, became disorganized and demoralized in 1967 in the face of a tough attitude on the part of the military government. When the unions staged a general 24-hour strike on March 1, the government cracked down. Six unions lost their legal status and their funds were frozen.
Meanwhile, to put the deficit-ridden, state-owned enterprises on a sounder financial basis, the government ordered the dismissal of unnecessary personnel and the elimination of nonessential jobs.
Other Government Actions. In April, the government published a sweeping law under which students and graduates were no longer allowed a vote in the schools' governing bodies. On August 25, President Juan Carlos Ongania signed a law barring Communists from public office and providing severe penalties for Communist activities. Meanwhile, the congress remained dissolved and all political parties were banned. There were no indications at year's end, however, that the general elections would be held soon.
Facts in Brief. Population: 23,266,000. Government: President Juan Carlos Ongania. Monetary Unit: peso (350=U.S. $1). Foreign Trade: exports, $1,593,200,000; imports, $1,124,300,000. Principal Exports: wheat, meat.