The Silenced
Argentina,1978. President Jorge Rafael Videla's military dictatorship reigns with an iron fist, regularly kidnapping, torturing and murdering political activists and opponents and their families at secret concentration camps. The country is locked in a spiral of fear and chaos — and are soon to host the World Cup.
As the cacophony of protest against Videla's government rises, his regime's drive to 'disappear' these troublesome elements accelerates before they can embarrass him in front of the world's media
This is the story of a rugby club that refused to be silenced. When one of their teammates is found dead — assassinated — the Club La Plata first XV took a minute's silence before their next game. The minute ran to two ... to three ... For ten long minutes they stood in furious silence.
But when the junta learned of this protest it wasn't long before another player disappeared. And then another. Over the course of four years, nineteen players for La Plata were murdered by the regime: gunned down, assassinated, 'disappeared'.
'A gargantuan, memorable story, a film in the making, ready for global success.' — La Repubblica
'A powerful and heart-breaking story about sacrifice and courage.' — Le Monde
Claudio Fava is a journalist, screenwriter and author. He has reported for various newspapers and television stations for a variety of issues, from war zones to the fight in Sicily to quell the power of the Cosa Nostra, to the difficult peace processes in South America. He lives in Italy.
