The film charts the build-up to the historic vote, in October 2020, that saw Chileans vote for a new people’s constitution to replace the one imposed during the brutal Pinochet dictatorship.

A movement which began as a high school students’ protest over transport fares evolved into one of the most significant events in the country’s history. Filmed during the weeks after protests began, Santiago Rising meets social movements, protesters and ordinary people in their struggle for equality and human rights. The film emphasises the creative element of Chilean protest, as music and art play a prominent role. We also see the state’s attempts to crush the protest movement through a brutal police crackdown. Although the odds are stacked against them, Chileans find strength in unity.

Chile was the ground zero of Chicago Boys, now it is the ground zero of insurrection. Santiago Rising is a must-watch for anyone interested in emancipatory politics!
Srećko Horvat, Philosopher and author
This was a revolution. New forms of people’s democracy were emerging on the streets. But it is surprising how few people outside Chile noticed it. I don’t remember seeing a single report on the major TV bulletins. That’s why Nick MacWilliam’s excellent new film, Santiago Rising, is so important; he was on the streets, documenting this people’s uprising.
Grace Livingstone, Journalist and author

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