Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival: Argentina's 'disappeared' in the spotlight

"Nuestros Desaparecidos" (Our Disappeared), a documentary about Argentina during the period when it was run by a military junta, will be one of the 132 films screened during the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival, which opens tonight.

During that dark chapter in Argentina's history -- also known as the "dirty war" -- between  1976 until 1983, thousands of Argentines were "disappeared" (a euphemism for kidnapped and murdered). Human rights groups say that 30,000 people disappeared during that period.

The country is still struggling today to come to terms with this past. Last month, a pair of octogenarian ex-generals were sentenced to life in prison after defiantly declaring they were innocent of the murder charges on which they were convicted. Their trial was one of a number that have taken place involving former military personnel and their actions during those years.

Reed Johnson describes Juan Mandelbaum's documentary as "haunting and disturbing" in this report, for which he also spent some time with Ines Kuperschmit, who's personal story is depicted in the movie:

Born in 1975, Kuperschmit was only an infant when the coup took place. But her parents, both members of the radical, left-wing Montoneros group, were among thousands of Argentine students, trade unionists, opposition politicians and others who were rounded up by the military and 'disappeared,' a euphemism for torture and murder.

When Kuperschmit's mother saw government agents approaching her while strolling with Ines through the Buenos Aires zoo, she instantly abandoned her daughter and walked straight toward the agents so that Ines wouldn't be 'disappeared' along with her. An elderly couple later found the baby girl lying on the grass and crying.

Although the aunt who adopted her never talked about what happened, Kuperschmit said that even as a child she guessed the truth.

Click here to read the rest of the report on "Nuestros Desaparecidos."

For more on the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival other films, click here.