'Norita' documentary goes national with 50+ grassroots screenings

A documentary profiling the life and activism of the late Madre de Plaza de Mayo and human rights activist Nora Cortiñas, will screen nationally this week at over 50 grassroots events marking commemorations for international Human Rights Day.

The film tracks Cortiñas, known affectionately as “Norita” by her followers, from her origins as a traditional housewife in 1970s Argentina through to her emergence as a leading voice on human rights and women's reproductive rights in the 2020s. Her son Gustavo was kidnapped and disappeared by the 1976-1983 military, marking Norita’s participation in Argentina’s iconic Madre de Plaza de Mayo. 

“People are usually very moved by the story and need a bit of time to take it in. And in Argentina especially, people are very respectful of Nora as a historical figure and a political leader,” the film’s director Jayson McNamara told the Times in October when it premiered in theatres in Buenos Aires and Mar del Plata.

“As a filmmaker, it’s a huge honour to be able to show your film widely”, McNamara added.

The project enjoyed the backing of executive producers Jane Fonda and acclaimed Argentine composer Gustavo Santaolalla, who wrote the score.

"I’ve been very lucky in that regard and could not have done it without them. I think the film otherwise would have been a very nice independent documentary but maybe wouldn’t have had such a good chance of getting an audience," added McNamara.

A full list of screenings can be found at https://linktr.ee/noritafilm