Chile

Chile is a country located in South America, bordering Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It is one of the most geographically diverse countries in the world, with a range of landscapes including deserts, mountains, beaches, and forests. Santiago, the capital city, is a modern metropolis with a thriving arts scene, while Valparaiso is known for its colorful buildings and street art. Chile is also home to the Atacama Desert, one of the driest places on Earth, as well as Patagonia, a stunning region of rugged wilderness and glaciers. Chilean culture is heavily influenced by indigenous traditions, as well as Spanish colonialism. The country is known for its flavorful cuisine, including dishes like empanadas, pastel de choclo, and seafood stews. Chile is also famous for its wine, which is produced in several regions throughout the country.

 

Books

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1

4.3/5

The House of
The Spirits

by Isabel Allende

2

4.2/5

The Savage
Detectives

by Roberto Bolaño

3

4.2/5

"2666"

by Roberto Bolaño

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4

4.2/5

The Obscene
Bird of Night

by José Donoso

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5

3.9/5

Ways of
Going Home

by Alejandro Zambra

The book is a classic magical realism novel that chronicles the lives of three generations of the Trueba family. It explores the themes of love, family, politics, and power in a post-colonial Chilean society. The story is narrated by Esteban Trueba, a wealthy landowner, and his wife Clara, who has mystical abilities. The novel is a beautifully written, complex tale that captures the essence of Chilean culture.

 

The book follows the lives of two young poets, Ulises Lima and Arturo Belano, and their search for a mysterious poet named Cesárea Tinajero. Set in the late 1970s, the novel explores the turbulent political and cultural landscape of Mexico and Chile. The story is told through a series of interviews with people who knew Lima and Belano, as well as through their own writings. This is a powerful and haunting book that delves into the complexities of identity and the search for meaning.

This epic novel is divided into five parts and explores a wide range of topics, including the Mexican drug trade, the Holocaust, and the violence against women in Juárez. The book is a posthumous work that was published in 2004, after Bolaño’s death. It is considered to be one of the most important works of Latin American literature in recent years and has been translated into over 30 languages.

 

This surreal and experimental novel tells the story of an aristocratic family in Chile who are slowly descending into madness. The book is a critique of the authoritarian regime of Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet and explores themes of power, identity, and sexuality. The narrative structure of the book is fragmented, with multiple narrators and shifting timelines. This is a challenging and thought-provoking work that pushes the boundaries of traditional storytelling.

 

Published in 2011, the book revolves around the theme of memory and the impact of Chile’s traumatic past, particularly the Pinochet dictatorship, on individuals and society. It is a coming-of-age story that follows a young boy during the early years of Pinochet’s regime in Chile, and later his adult life. The book is divided into two parts, with the first part telling the story of the boy’s childhood and his interactions with an older neighbor, and the second part narrating his life as a writer in present-day Chile. Ways of Going Home has received critical acclaim for its subtle and powerful exploration of Chilean history and its effects on its people, and is considered a modern classic of Chilean literature.

 

Movies

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1

3.7/5

Endless Poetry

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2

3.9/5

No

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3

3.5/5

Pacto de Fuga

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4

2.6/5

Desconectados

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5

3.2/5

Too Late to
Die Young

The film follows the surreal journey of the director’s younger self in Chile, exploring his passion for poetry and his turbulent relationship with his family.

this film is based on the true story of the 1988 national plebiscite in Chile, which gave the people the chance to vote on whether or not to keep General Augusto Pinochet in power. The film depicts the advertising campaign of the “No” side, which utilized colorful and creative tactics to persuade the people to vote against Pinochet.

 

This film is based on the true story of a group of political prisoners who escaped from a high-security prison in Chile in 1990. The film follows their planning and execution of the escape, as well as the challenges they faced in trying to evade the authorities.

 

Victoria’s life depends entirely on the internet. She lives connected in the virtual world, but disconnected from her children. One day, the internet crashes and she is forced to reconnect with her children and rethink her life.

 

Set in the summer of 1990, the story revolves around a group of teenagers and their families living in an isolated, bohemian community in the Andes mountains outside Santiago. The film explores themes of adolescence, family, love, and loss as the characters navigate their way through the complexities of growing up. The stunning cinematography captures the natural beauty of the surroundings and adds to the dreamy, nostalgic feel of the movie.

 

Music

Chilean music is known for its diverse and rich blend of styles and influences, ranging from traditional Andean music to modern pop, rock, and electronic music. Folk music plays a significant role in the country’s cultural heritage, with traditional instruments like the charango, quena, and bombo being widely used in popular and contemporary music. The Nueva Canción Chilena movement emerged in the 1960s, which sought to use music to promote social and political change, and many of its songs have become enduring symbols of resistance and hope in Chile. Chilean rock emerged in the 1980s, with bands like Los Prisioneros and Los Tres becoming popular both in Chile and internationally. The 1990s saw the rise of Chilean hip hop, with artists like Tiro de Gracia and Makiza fusing traditional Latin American rhythms with urban beats and social commentary. Today, Chilean musicians continue to experiment and innovate, with a growing electronic music scene and a thriving indie music culture.

 

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