Get movie widget Recommend it Add to Favorites

Alberto Fujimori, Keiko Fujimori, Susana Higuchi, Vladimiro Montesinos, Gustavo Goritti ... see more see more... , Carlos Orellana , Luis Iberico , Abimael Guzman

In a nation besieged by bloody insurgents and appalling poverty appears a humble candidate who vows to fight for the poor and disenfranchised. Riding a crest of popular support, this political unknown... read more read more... storms into the elections and wins the Presidency. After being sworn in, the new President declares an all out War On Terror, which soon culminates in the capture of public enemy number one. The country is Peru. The President is Alberto Fujimori. The year is 1992. The Fall of Fujimori is a character-driven, political thriller exploring the volatile events that defined Fujimori's decade-long reign: His meteoric rise from son of poor Japanese immigrants to the presidency; his fateful relationship with the shadowy and Machiavellian Vladimiro Montesinos; his "self-coup" that dissolved overnight both Congress and the Judiciary; and the bloody and dramatic Japanese Embassy hostage crisis.Since fleeing Peru in disgrace four years ago, Alberto Fujimori has remained virtually silent about the sensational end of his controversial presidency. Until now.Last January, Fujimori agreed to the first in-depth interview since his exile. The result is one of the most intimate and shocking looks at a modern dictator ever captured on film. Director Ellen Perry interweaves personal, up-close interviews with the exiled leader along with never-before-seen, exclusive footage from his regime. At the center of Fujimori's presidency are his controversial tactics in the war on terror: hooded judges ruling from behind one-way mirrors, secret military tribunals, and the alleged use of torture and death squads. His extreme measures bring success, resulting in the severe disruption of the two deadliest rebel groups, the Shining Path and the MRTA. But these victories come at a severe cost. Rocked by growing corruption scandals, Fujimori flees to Japan (the land of his ancestors) and, from a Tokyo hotel, faxes in his letter of resignation. In 2003, Interpol places Alberto Fujimori on its Most Wanted List on charges of corruption, kidnapping and murder. Undeterred by the indictments against him, Fujimori enjoys celebrity status in Japan, where he patiently plots his return to Peru - and a run for the presidency in 2006. An unforgettable portrait of the precarious balance between justice and peace, The Fall of Fujimori is a riveting, cautionary tale of one man's - and one nation's - War on Terror. -- © Official Site

Flixster Users

97% liked it

64 ratings

Critics

92% liked it

12 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 23 min.

Directed by: Ellen Perry

Release Date: December 31, 2006

Invite friends to see

DVD Release Date: September 5, 2006

Stats: 13 reviews

Photos


None yet... Got one?

Your Rating



clear rating

Flixster Reviews (13)


  • March 11, 2010
    EXCELLENT documentary. I'm from Peru, and although I didn't live there past the age of three and was really young during Fujimori's terms, I do remember visiting many times during this, including once when the Japanese ambassador's residence, which was then located by my great-g... read morerandmother's house, underwent a bombing, so it brought back a lot. Held my interest and actually gave me a better understanding of what happened.

Critic Reviews


Carina Chocano
May 6, 2006
Carina Chocano, Los Angeles Times

A confoundingly mercurial figure, Fujimori is a fascinating subject. But in her focus on the man, Perry fails to paint a broader picture of a racially diverse and extremely complex country marked by s... Full Review

Stephen Whitty
January 19, 2006
Stephen Whitty, Newark Star-Ledger

It never loses sight of the grim reality behind Fujimori's eccentricities, or the thousands of people arrested, kidnapped, raped, tortured, executed or, simply, 'disappeared.' Full Review

Jan Stuart
January 19, 2006
Jan Stuart, Newsday

The Fall of Fujimori couldn't happen along at a more pregnant moment for America, as we agonize over how far we are willing to let our own leaders fudge the rules to stamp out terrorists. Full Review

Michael Atkinson
January 18, 2006
Michael Atkinson, Village Voice

Her film remains an intriguing portrait, even if its acceptance of Fujimori's shrugging demeanor and blame- storming serve to detour our concern from its proper place. Full Review

John Anderson
January 18, 2006
John Anderson, Variety

As documaker Ellen Perry seems keenly aware, there is really no need to embellish the Fujimori story, which has enough unlikely melodrama for six Italian operas. Full Review

A.O. Scott
January 18, 2006
A.O. Scott, New York Times

This excellent documentary on Alberto K. Fujimori serves as a cautionary essay on the risks to democracy posed by the fight against terrorism.

V.A. Musetto
January 18, 2006
V.A. Musetto, New York Post

Fujimori is such a charming gentleman that I'm kind of sad he's a world-class sleaze.

Eric Monder
March 1, 2007
Eric Monder, Film Journal International

This enlightening nonfiction feature might be better suited to DVD or a showing on PBS, but it should maintain interest in any venue. Full Review

Don Willmott
October 1, 2006
Don Willmott, Filmcritic.com

If you're feeling dismayed about the state of American politics, here's a thought to cheer you up: at least you don't live in Peru. Full Review

Adam Nayman
May 4, 2006
Adam Nayman, L.A. Weekly

The film is a must-see for Perry's one-on-one chats with her subject. Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

More Like This


This list looks lonely.
Add a suggestion!

Facts


No facts approved yet. Be the first

The Fall of Fujim... : Watch Free on TV


Movie Quizzes


No quizzes for The Fall of Fujimori. Want to create one?

Video Clips


No video clips yet. Want to upload one?

Meet Other Fans


Recent News


No recent headlines. Got one?

Recent Lists


Most Popular Skin


No skins yet. Interested in creating one?