No me llame Ternera
2023 [SPANISH]
Crime / Documentary / History / Mystery
basque country, spain eta terrorist group terrorism cold blooded killer spanish history domestic terrorism
Plot summary
An in-depth interview with José Antonio Urrutikoetxea, known as Josu Ternera, one of the most relevant leaders of the terrorist gang ETA.
Director
Top cast
Tech specs
720p.WEB 1080p.WEBMovie Reviews
This "documentary" in this reviewers estimate, takes a
Not convincing at all
This Ternera guy answers what he wants and how he wants to very specific and strong questions from his interviewer. He contradicts himself and avoids any mention of direct implication in killings, name of the ETA comando where he participated, locations etc. Basically he does not admit any wrongdoing having participated in a violent terrorist organization. In fact, he is very shrewd at NOT answering directly most of the questions post to him.
The format of the documentary is also dull: it's basically an interview with little image content. This was a lost opportunity to clarify an important and sad time in Spanish modern history.
One sided and manipulative
I am not very familiar with the Basque conflict and ETA. I expected to learn something valuable about that but feel disappointed.
The journalist put the Josu U on trial for his actions but what about the Spanish government? He never asked him what he means by suppression from the government. I would have wanted to hear that as an outsider to learn more about the conflict.
The terminology used by the journalist mimics the government's narrative. He doesn't show or give even a single example of any actions carried out by the governments and authorities that might have been considered as "suppression ". It was obvious that some people were supporting ETA and so one wants to know why?
Besides, ETA stopped violence in 2011. One wants to see and know whether government policies towards Basque country have changed in a good way. Spanish government used violence and imprisoned many Katalan politicians because they went for a independence referendum whilst the UK allowed Scotland to do the referendum and acknowledged the result. If Spanish people think there are democratic channels to reach political aims, why would imprison Katalan politicians for organising a referendum. As far as I know Katalan people never had an organisation like ETA, but Spanish government still used persecution and suppression. So what would one say if some Katalan responds with violent means? Would it be only their faults?
The documentary puts this guy Josu U on trial, this is fine, but never asked the policeman about what he thinks of Franco dictatorship and working as his police officer or as a guard for his unelected mayors. The policeman says Josu U did not feel regret. Does he also regret working for a well known dictator? He might feel regret but the journalist did not even intend to ask him. This is the point I am trying make and so I think this documentary is one sided and manipulative.
I gave 3 out 10 because I think at least Josu U could handle this journalist in an effective way, at least a viewer can see what Josu U really thought. He ignored the provoking and accusatory language used by the journalist professionally and calmly.
Anyways, I think considering that ETA has been dismantled and there is no violent conflict, the ball is the government's field. Violence should never come back. The way to do that is that Spanish government needs to take actions to ensure there are democratic channels for every political cause including pro independence movements and therefore must release all political prisoners and past ETA members to close the chapter of conflict and open a chapter to long lasting peace for all parties.







