Starting with Hugo Chavez and then following with interviews with six other Latin American leaders Stone paints a picture of these leaders as a cooperative force, changing the face of their countries independently of the imperial powers like the IMF and frightening countries like US with their definite left leaning.

 

United and inspired by Chavez, the Bolivarians (named after Bolivar who led Latin America’s fight for independence), there is a genuine sense of comradery and genuine affection between the leaders Evo Morales, Cristina Elizabet Fernández de Kirchner, Rafeael Correa, Raúl Castro, Fernando Lugo and Lula de Silva.

 

Demystifying Latin America, the contrast between what is shown in the film and what is perceived in the US, and to an extent, the rest of the world is quite startling. The portrayal of Chavez in the media, as a kind of dangerous bullish figure is quite far removed from the jokey and personable Chavez that Stone interviews. Even though he uses the slightly contrived technique of contextualising the Venezuelan president by taking him back to the impoverished place he grew up in and wallowing in the sense of the poor boy come good (ironically a very American kind of dream), seeing Chavez ride (and then impressively break) a child’s bike, does make you see a different side to him.

 

 

Stone employs this friendly, jovial interviewing technique with all the leaders – kicking back and chewing the fat the way only men can, interspersed with talk about soldiers, or having a kick about in the garden with Bolivian president Evo Morales.

 

With Argentinian president Cristina Kircher, Stone doesn’t seem quite as comfortable, but being a man’s man he does shamelessly flirt and then talk a bit about shoes (fail save conversation with any woman).

 

Stone has the confidence (arrogance) to get away with this film in a way that other directors would not. The end product is extremely entertaining – a Hollywood documentary. Perhaps not an academic study of the region, it is still surprising and enlightening, and even if it doesn’t convince you that Chavez is some kind of latter day messiah, it will at least remind you that what we see on the news, should not be taken as fact.