Paper short abstract:

This paper aims to explore the politics of representation of the documentary films on Nestor Kirchner, in order to comprehend to what extent the figure of the Argentine ex-president has become an embodiment of power and a controversial symbol of popular resistance in contemporary Argentina.

Paper long abstract:

2013 marked the 10th anniversary of the Kirchner government. Amidst current debates on the future of the country, the lack of a strong political alternative gives its fervent followers the illusion of an everlasting party. The images of the leaders have been used, either by critics or supporters, as necessary stepping-stones towards condemnation or sanctification of their figures, and they have contributed to stir up those debates. Bearing this in mind, the following paper aims to explore the politics of representation of the documentary films entitled South of the Border (Stone 2010), Néstor Kircher, la película (De Luque 2012), and Néstor Kirchner (Caetano 2013), in order to comprehend the extent to which the figure of the Argentine ex-president Néstor Kirchner has become an embodiment of power and a controversial symbol of popular resistance in contemporary Argentina. Accordingly, this paper will delve into the secular perspective provided by Stone -an outsider working from Hollywood-, into the biased construction of a supreme being, as well as into the controversial depiction of Adrián Caetano's commissioned documentary.