A POTRAIT OF MY FATHER

Description

​A Portrait of My Father is a poignant 2022 Uruguayan documentary directed by Juan Ignacio Fernández Hoppe. At the age of eight, Hoppe’s father, Juan José Fernández, was found deceased on a beach in Salinas, Uruguay. While his mother, a psychiatrist, accepted the official cause of death as drowning, Hoppe harbored doubts, especially given the presence of psychotropic medication among his father’s belongings. Thirty years later, he embarks on a quest to uncover the truth about his father’s life and death.​

The film unfolds like a detective story, with Hoppe meticulously piecing together his father’s past through personal artifacts, interviews with former students, and reflections on his own memories. It delves into themes of loss, depression, love, and the elusive nature of legacy. As Hoppe navigates the complexities of his father’s life, the documentary explores the challenges of capturing the essence of a person and the ambiguity surrounding closure.​

A Portrait of My Father has been acclaimed for its intimate portrayal of grief and its exploration of the human desire for understanding. It has garnered awards including Best Film, Best Documentary, and Best Director from the Uruguayan Film Critics Association. The film is available for streaming on TrueStory