Sergio Castro-San Martín’s ‘Il cileno’ premieres at Locarno

The film ‘Il cileno’, directed by Sergio Castro-San Martín, has been presented at the Locarno Film Festival. The work draws inspiration from the true story of Aldo Marín Piñones, a socialist militant forced into exile following the Pinochet coup in Chile.

The narrative spans from 1976 to 1986, following the protagonist, Aldo, as he moves from Chile to Turin, Italy. While attempting to survive through precarious labor and seeking to reunite with his wife and newborn son, his past expertise as a miner and explosives specialist draws him back into political violence.

Set against the backdrop of Italy’s ‘Years of Lead’, the film depicts the ideological tensions and social unrest of the era. The cast includes Camilo Arancibia as Aldo and Sara Serraiocco as Luciana, a doctor involved with anarchist groups who offers Aldo a way to reconnect with his family in exchange for his technical skills.