Abuelas: Grandmothers on a Mission

A film by Noemi Weis

Canada/Argentina | 2012 | 28 minutes | Color | DVD | Spanish | Subtitled | Order No. 131102

SYNOPSIS

In 1985, the Academy Award® nominated film LAS MADRES: THE MOTHERS OF PLAZA DE MAYO profiled the Argentinian mothers’ movement to demand to know the fate of 30,000 “disappeared” sons and daughters. Now three decades later, Argentina’s courageous Grandmothers, or “Abuelas”, have been searching for their grandchildren: the children of their sons and daughters who disappeared during Argentina’s “dirty war.” The women in ABUELAS are seeking answers about their children that nobody else will give — answers about a generation that survived, but were kidnapped and relocated to families linked with the regime that murdered their parents.

Argentine filmmaker Noemi Weis beautifully documents the grandmothers’ painstaking work and its results - dramatic, inspiring and sometimes controversial - as the women make contact with grandchildren who have grown up living lies created by their adoptive parents. Their tireless work continues today: the justice they are seeking for their children’s murder, their drive to find their grandchildren, and their international status speaking out for family reunification.

PRESS

'Noemi Weis’ films deal with really raw, emotional and powerful subjects. She gives a voice to the voiceless."

Catherine Hubbard The Argentinean Independent

The 'Abuelas' are an impressive group. Weis' film is a tribute and reminds people of a chapter of Argentine history most want to forget but can’t until those who have disappeared have been brought home.”

Latina Lista

"An impressive testimony of dictatorships’ impact on families and on the strength of women's hope through decades."

Sandrine Crisostomo FEMCINE

"The portrait… of older female activists… serv[es] as useful pedagogical tool within a number of disciplines including women’s studies, social gerontology, sociology, developmental psychology, and cultural studies."

Films for the Feminist Classroom

SCREENING HIGHLIGHTS AND AWARDS

  • Winner, Jury Award, International Film Festival of Cine Politico, Buenos Aires
  • Best Documentary, Art and Politics at the Yorkton Film Festival, Canada
  • Female Eye Film Festival
  • International Politico Film Festival, Buenos Aires
  • Femcine Film Festival, Chile

ABOUT FILMMAKER(S)

Noemi Weis

Noemi Weis is an award winning Writer, Director and Producer that has spent over 20-years telling stories on the big and small screens, from her worldwide advertising projects to her award winning documentaries. As a humanitarian and an advocate leader Noemi­ journeys where stories take her to bring voice to the world's most vulnerable. Her films have been sold in more than 60 countries, receiving numerous awards but most important, making in a difference in communities around the world. Recently she received a passionate message of support from Mm. Sophie Gregoire Trudeau for her latest film MILK and has been honoured with an invitation to meet Pope Francis at the Vatican in recognition of the impact her films have created in communities around the world.

Noemi is a proud member of the Unesco, Team Canada's Trade Missions and a Business Ambassador of Ontario, promoting the merits of Canadian production abroad. In this capacity, she participates in trade missions and has been honoured with the nomination of Woman Entrepreneur of the Year for three years in a row, the last one by Export Development Canada and nominated as a finalist for Woman Entrepreneur of the World, as the sole Canadian nominee. Additionally, Noemi has recently been recognized as one of the top 10 most influential Hispanic-Canadians, award given by Toronto Mayor John Tory. Noemi continues to create, direct and produce social justice films. For more information, please visit: www.filmblanc.com. (07/19)

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