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Deep Dive: 108 (2011)

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108
108 Cuchillo de Palo is a documentary directed by Renate Costa that investigates the life and death of her uncle Rodolfo, who was one of over 600 gay men targeted by the Paraguayan government under Alfredo Stroessner. The film addresses the historical context of state violence against LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly focusing on the events surrounding the 1982 kidnapping of Mario Luis Palmieri in Asunción. Costa interviews queer individuals connected to Rodolfo, revealing the ongoing impact of repression and the existence of a hidden community in Paraguay. The title '108 Cuchillo de Palo' refers to the initial number of LGBTQ+ individuals taken during a 1959 anti-queer raid, symbolizing societal failure to protect its members. The documentary is significant as it is the first Paraguayan film to feature queer protagonists and confronts the dictatorship's persecution of homosexuals. It documents testimonies related to the caso Aranda and caso Palmieri, illustrating the historical violence faced by the LGBTQ+ community in Paraguay.

Why Watch

  • •Meet Renate Costa, uncovering her uncle Rodolfo's story.
  • •Find out about the 1959 witch hunt against gay men in Paraguay.
  • •See the first Paraguayan film featuring queer protagonists.

Did You Know

•The film's title references the 1959 anti-queer raid involving 108 individuals.
•Rodolfo Costa died 15 years before the documentary was made in 2010.
•Over 600 queer individuals were detained and tortured after the 1982 kidnapping of Mario Luis Palmieri.
•The film premiered at the 60th Berlin International Film Festival in February 2010.

Perfect For

LGBTQ+ historyParaguayan cultureDocumentary filmmaking