P.O.V. {POINT OF VIEW}: THE FALL OF FUJIMORI (TV)
Summary
One in this series of independently produced documentaries. This film examines Alberto Fujimori, the president of Peru from 1990 to 2000 who became an international fugitive, wanted by Interpol for corruption, kidnapping, and murder. From an unnamed Tokyo hotel, Fujimori details the numerous problems with Peru, specifically the cocaine trade and the Shining Path guerrilla terrorist group, before he took over. The program flashes back to 1990, when unknown agronomy engineer Fujimori became an overnight sensation, winning the presidential election and beginning his rise to power. Anthony Quainton, former US ambassador to Peru, details how a man that didn't look like most Peruvians was able to capture his country's attention. Journalist Luis Iberico documents "The Fujimori Tsunami" as the polls showed a steady increase for the politician during his unconventional campaign. Fujimori's daughter Keiko details her family life upon his election, as well as the three Shining Path attacks on the presidential palace while she lived there. Next, the program looks at Abimael Guzman, "President Gonzalo," the philosophy professor turned Maoist revolutionary and founder of Shining Path. Fujimori discusses his thoughts on the man and why some Peruvians began to follow him. Fujimori then details what he did to repair Peru and the bounty he set on the terrorist Guzman. Next, the program examines Vladimiro Montesinos, "The Man from SIN (Servicio de Inteligencia Nacional"), a lawyer specializing in the defense of narco-traffickers and the long-standing head of Fujimori's intelligence unit. Fujimori details his collaborations with Montesinos. Enrique Zileri, editor-in-chief at Caretas Magazine, details how Montesinos was Fujimori's "alter-ego," who did all the president's dirty work, such as systematic executions of suspected terrorists. Fujimori details whether he ever approved death-squad murders of terrorists. Next, the program examines Susana Higuchi, Fujimori's first lady, and now ex-wife. Higuchi details her scandal-ridden life under her husband. Then, the program looks at the autogolpe, a "self-coup," when, on April 5, 1992, Fujimori dissolved Peru's legislature in order to give himself more power. Fujimori details how well-received his self-coup was, and the new harsh laws he enacted against terrorists. Then, on July 16, 1992, Shining Path attacked a middle-class suburb in Lima, leaving forty dead and allowing Fujimori to amp up his anti-terrorism policies even further. Next, on September 12, 1992, Guzman was captured and presented to the public in a Hollywood-esque striped prison suit in a giant cage. Fujimori ponders what would have happened to Guzman prior to the self-coup. Next, the program shows Fujimori landing in Japan before he discusses his former government's successful fight against terrorism. Then, as Fujimori prepared for reelection in 1995, a surprise opponent emerged -- Higuchi. Fujimori discusses why his wife ran for president and rescinding from her the first lady title, handing it over to Keiko. Then, the program examines the Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Movement (MRTA), which attacked the Japanese embassy on December 17, 1996, resulting in a hostage crisis. Clips show the press interviewing MRTA leader Cerpa Cartolini. Fujimori details Cartolini's demands, which eventually lead to the president ordering Montesinos to attack the embassy. Then, on April 22, 1997, four months after the MRTA siege began, Fujimori's army stormed the embassy, rescuing all but one hostage while killing every rebel. Then, Fujimori is presented to a receptive Japanese audience where he details his fight against terrorism. Quainton details how Fujimori's fall was set into motion around 1997. Keiko details hearing rumors that her father and Montesinos were committing numerous humans rights abuses against captured terrorists. U.S. State Department documents implicate Montensinos as well as Fujimori in regard to a May 1990 bombing near the home of an opposition congressman. Then, in 2000, Fujimori attempted to run for a third presidential term, despite the action being illegal by Peruvian law. However, Fujimori contends that the 1990 election didn't count due to the self-coup. When Fujimori's opponent pulls out of the election, claiming electoral fraud, Fujimori gets elected to a third term. Then, six weeks into his third term, on September 14, 2000, at a press conference, a video tape reveals the criminally "kinky" Montesinos bribing a congressman. Two days later, Fujimori deactivates the national intelligence system and convenes new general elections in which he will not participate. Fujimori details searching through Montesinos's extensive video collection, many claiming he was trashing the tapes that implicated him. Then, on November 19, 2000, Fujimori flees to Japan where he faxes in his resignation as president, leaving Keiko alone in the palace. Seven months later, on June 24, 2001, after an international manhunt, Montesinos is captured and deported back to Peru. He is sent to the same prison where Guzman is serving time. Meanwhile, Fujimori stays in Japan, not sure if he will be arrested if he leaves his homeland, as he is currently on Interpol's most-wanted list. Proclaiming his innocence, Fujimori announces his intention to run for president of Peru in 2006.
Cataloging of this program was made possible by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
Details
- NETWORK: PBS
- DATE: July 18, 2006 10:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:25:09
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:91418
- GENRE: Public affairs/Documentaries
- SUBJECT HEADING: Peru - Officials;
- SERIES RUN: PBS - TV series, 1988-
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Stephen Moffitt … Executive Producer
- Cara Mertes … Executive Producer
- John Woo … Senior Producer
- Ellen Perry … Producer, Director, Writer
- Chris White … Director
- Theresa Riley … Director
- Robert Mailer Anderson … Associate Producer
- Lindsay Sablosky … Associate Producer
- Caitlin Shamberg … Associate Producer
- Ruiyan Xu … Associate Producer
- David Nanasi … Production (Misc.), Consulting Producer
- Kim Roberts … Writer
- Zack Anderson … Writer
- Mark Adler … Music by
- David Byrne … Theme Music by
- Cerpa Cartolina
- Alberto Fujimori
- Keiko Fujimori
- Abimael Guzman
- Susana Higuchi
- Luis Iberico
- Vladimiro Montesinos
- Anthony Quainton
- Enrique Zileri