From Foreign Policy · Drew Gorman · · 1m 50s
Wild Horse Nine
CIA agents vacation on Easter Island as Chile's 1973 coup looms.
In brief
CIA agents vacation on Easter Island as Chile's 1973 coup looms. Martin McDonagh's film 'Wild Horse Nine' ignores Chile's U.S.-backed coup history for a conspiracy-focused story about CIA agents' regrets. Originally reported by Foreign Policy.
CIA agents vacation on Easter Island
CIA agents Chris and Lee take a vacation on Easter Island before the 1973 Chile coup.
CIA's role in Chile
The CIA planned U.S.-backed coup against socialist President Salvador Allende in 1973.
CIA agents' history
Chris and Lee have been involved in past coups including Guatemala and Congo.
Chris's cancer and guilt
Chris is dying of cancer and regrets his past coups.
Easter Island setting
Easter Island's moai statues provide a spiritual backdrop for Chris's regrets.
In Bruges connection
The film references Martin McDonagh's 2008 film In Bruges.
CIA's historical involvement
The U.S. funded anti-Allende operations totaling $3 million by 1964.
Kissinger's role
Henry Kissinger approved funding to prevent Allende's election in 1970.
Kennedy assassination
Chris is linked to JFK's assassination but avoids discussing it.
Film's focus
The film centers on Chris's guilt over CIA operations rather than Chile's coup.
Critique of historical context
The film ignores U.S. involvement in Chile's coup and historical details.
CIA's impact on Chile
The U.S. blocked Chile's trade and financial aid to weaken Allende's government.
Film's moral ambiguity
The film struggles to address the moral consequences of CIA actions.
Viewers' experience
Viewers wait for the coup to happen while the film focuses on Chris's regrets.
Historical accuracy
The film avoids historical details about the 1973 Chile coup.
Conclusion
The film turns away from Chile's history for a conspiracy-focused story.
The main idea
Martin McDonagh's film 'Wild Horse Nine' ignores Chile's U.S.-backed coup history for a conspiracy-focused story about CIA agents' regrets.
