The Atacama Desert, with its perfectly clear skies and zero humidity, is a paradise for astronomers and archaeologists. The former, looking for the truth about the origins of the universe, seek the oldest light here, while the latter look for well-preserved pre-Columbian drawings, as well as ancient remains of animals and people. However, the Atacama also holds traces of a much closer past – ruins of a Pinochet-era concentration camp, and the bodies of its victims. Vicky and Violeta are still looking for their loved ones here. Guzmán's cinematic essay about longing and memory in its cosmic, political and human dimensions is unforgettable, possibly because of shockingly beautiful telescopic images of the cosmos and Martian-like desert landscapes. Awarded the European Film Award for the best documentary film and recognized as one of the most outstanding works of Latin American documentary filmmaking, "Nostalgia for the Light" is a real treat for lovers of cinema, astronomy, archaeology, history and poetry. 

Maciej Nowicki