The reconstruction of memory in La Hija del General

Abstract

This work focuses on the analysis of the reconstruction of historical memories presented in the Chilean documentary La Hija del General made by María Elena Wood, where former president, Michelle Bachelet, features as the main figure. The analysis is developed from a multimodal appraisal space and, therefore, it harmonizes the contribution of Appraisal Theory and Multimodal Analysis according to the proposal of a grammar of visual design. We postulate that semiotic resources (oral and visual) as well as appraisal discursive strategies cooperate to the co-construction of different historic, political and social points of view. This contribute to legitimize certain memories in the Chilean background in the context of coup d'état in 1973 and the period of "transition". Results show the gradual discursive positioning of Dr. Bachelet, throughout the film, from her own and close people testimony, and from pictures, recordings and her father's letters, Air Force General Alberto Bachelet. He left as legacy many audiovisual documents of his family history as well as about the situation in his country before and during Pinochet's dictatorship.