Dialogues of Exiles (Spanish: Diálogos de exiliados, French: Dialogue d'exilés) is a 1975 French-Chilean satirical film with documentary elements directed by Raúl Ruiz.
Contents
Plot
Chilean exiles in Paris are shown discussing the challenges they faced following the 1973 Chilean coup d'état. In an attempt to reeducate a touring singer from their homeland, they kidnap him. This marks Ruiz's debut French film, in which he examines the mannerisms and language used by his fellow exiles. Having been a member of this community, he depicts a shared sense of belonging among those living in exile, brought together by the tragic downfall of the Allende government and the brutality of the Pinochet dictatorship.
Cast
Françoise Arnoul
Carla Cristi
Daniel Gélin
Sergio Hernández
Percy Matas
Etienne Bolo
Edgardo Cozarinsky
Huguette Faget
Luis Poirot
Waldo Rojas
Valeria Sarmiento
Reception
Dialogues of Exiles ultimately led to Ruiz's ostracism from the Chilean exile community due to its critical and, at times, unfriendly portrayal of them. Ruiz's depiction of the exiles is laced with scathing humor, and many complained that he had trivialized serious issues such as adaptation, language, space, integration, and cultural shock. Despite the backlash, he continued to explore themes of Chilean identity, dictatorship, and exile in his films.