Carlos (Bonus Track)

Carlos (2010)

a film by Oliver Assayas

What is it?

Carlos the Jackal was the world's most famous terrorist of the Twentieth century. He worked for and along communists radical movements, Arab nationalists and Islamists during the toughest years of the Cold War. This movie tells the story of Carlos life from his early involvement in terrorist actions in the 70s to his decadence and capture in the early 90s. This movie -as announced on the beginning of its three parts- is the mixture of journalistic research and fictionalization of the grayest areas of his life. This film can be regarded both as a historical document and as an action thriller. This movie jumps between the European capitals to the Middle East and North African countries, from the fashionable 70s to the decadent 80s, from the idealistic revolution to the bloody armed action and combines it all to tell the story of a man whose name meant terror.

Memorable scene

A group leaded by Carlos breaks into the meeting of the OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) there is shooting, confusion and screaming, the representatives take cover under their desks, it is the beginning the most thrilling section of this film.

Favourite quote

"You need me, my name is feared" - Carlos

Why adding this movie as a Bonus Track?

This film is a shocking game of Risk incarnated in the figure of Carlos. It gives a face and a story behind a feared man and articulates the game of power that was the Cold War. This movie gets the alluring spirit of rebellion and the rock-star character of Carlos' as celebrity, producing a Stockholm syndrome fascination, but quickly enough it is contrasted with his personal delusion, his lack of moral consideration and his intoxication of power.

Carlos has great narrative power, has great acting, has action sequences and political intrigue. A movie like Carlos is an example of the power of cinema to bring history to life, to validate what has been forgotten or obscured and provide a reflection of the world today in the mirror of history.