# Missing

> 1982 film directed by Costa-Gavras

**Wikidata**: [Q400985](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q400985)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Missing_(1982_film))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/missing

## Summary
Missing is a 1982 film directed by Costa-Gavras that dramatizes the true story of an American journalist who disappeared during the Chilean coup of 1973. The film blends political thriller elements with biographical storytelling to explore themes of government oppression and human rights.

## Key Facts
- Directed by Costa-Gavras, a Greek-French filmmaker known for political thrillers
- Released in 1982 with multiple international release dates spanning from February to December
- Classified as a drama film, biographical film, and thriller film
- Won the Palme d'Or at the 1982 Cannes Film Festival
- Received the Academy Award for Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay
- Also won the Writers Guild of America Award for Best Adapted Screenplay
- Named to the National Board of Review's Top Ten Films list for 1982
- Based on the true story of Charles Horman, an American journalist who disappeared in Chile in 1973
- Produced by PolyGram Filmed Entertainment, a British-American film studio active from 1975-1999

## FAQs
What is the film Missing about?
Missing tells the true story of Charles Horman, an American journalist who disappeared during the 1973 Chilean coup d'état, and his father's desperate search to find him while uncovering government complicity.

Who directed Missing?
The film was directed by Costa-Gavras, a Greek-French filmmaker renowned for his politically charged thrillers that often critique government corruption and human rights abuses.

What awards did Missing win?
Missing won the Palme d'Or at the 1982 Cannes Film Festival, the Academy Award for Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay, and the Writers Guild of America Award for Best Adapted Screenplay.

Is Missing based on a true story?
Yes, Missing is based on the true story of Charles Horman, an American journalist who disappeared during the 1973 Chilean coup d'état, and the subsequent investigation by his family.

When was Missing released?
Missing had multiple release dates in 1982, beginning with February 12, 1982, and continuing through various international releases throughout the year, with some countries receiving it as late as December 1982 and into 1983-1984.

## Why It Matters
Missing matters as a powerful political thriller that brought international attention to the human rights abuses during Chile's military coup and the role of U.S. government involvement. The film served as both entertainment and political commentary, using the thriller genre to engage audiences with serious historical events. Its success at major film festivals and awards ceremonies demonstrated that politically charged films could achieve both critical acclaim and commercial success. The movie helped keep the story of Charles Horman and the broader issues of American involvement in Latin American politics in the public consciousness, contributing to ongoing discussions about government accountability and journalistic freedom.

## Notable For
- Winning the prestigious Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival
- Receiving the Academy Award for Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay
- Being named to the National Board of Review's Top Ten Films list
- Blending multiple genres: drama, biography, and political thriller
- Addressing controversial political themes during the Cold War era
- Being based on a true story that remained politically sensitive
- Featuring a powerful performance by Jack Lemmon as the father searching for his son

## Body
### Historical Context and Production
Missing was produced during a period of heightened political tension and reflection on U.S. foreign policy in Latin America. The film's production by PolyGram Filmed Entertainment, a British-American studio, demonstrates the international interest in telling this story. Costa-Gavras, known for his politically charged films like "Z" and "State of Siege," brought his signature style of blending thriller elements with political commentary to this project.

### Critical Reception and Awards
The film's success at major award ceremonies was unprecedented for a political thriller. Winning the Palme d'Or at Cannes established it as one of the year's most significant films, while the Academy Award for Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay recognized the screenplay's powerful adaptation of real events. The Writers Guild of America Award further cemented its status as an exemplary work of adapted screenwriting.

### Genre Classification
Missing defies simple categorization, incorporating elements from multiple film genres. As a drama, it explores deep emotional themes of family and loss. As a biographical film, it dramatizes the real-life events surrounding Charles Horman's disappearance. As a thriller, it maintains suspense and tension throughout the search narrative. This genre-blending approach helped the film appeal to diverse audiences while maintaining its political message.

### Release Strategy
The film's multiple release dates across different countries and regions suggest a carefully planned international distribution strategy. Beginning with releases in early 1982 and continuing through the end of the year and into 1983-1984, the staggered release allowed the film to build momentum through word-of-mouth and critical acclaim, particularly following its Cannes success.

### Cultural Impact
Missing contributed significantly to public discourse about U.S. involvement in Chilean politics and the broader issues of human rights during military dictatorships. The film's commercial and critical success demonstrated that audiences would engage with politically challenging material when presented through compelling storytelling. It helped establish the political thriller as a viable genre for addressing contemporary historical events and continues to be studied as an example of how cinema can influence political awareness and debate.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0084335/)
2. [Source](http://www.allocine.fr/film/fichefilm_gen_cfilm=2529.html)
3. [Source](http://stopklatka.pl/film/zaginiony-1982)
4. [Source](http://www.filmaffinity.com/en/film414124.html)
5. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0084335/fullcredits)
6. Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze
7. [Source](https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1983)
8. The American Film Institute Catalog of Motion Pictures
9. Missing. Rotten Tomatoes
10. [IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0084335/releaseinfo)
11. [Source](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0084335/releaseinfo)
12. [Filmdienst](https://www.filmdienst.de/film/details/20675/vermisst)
13. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
14. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0084335)
15. Kinopoisk
16. [Source](https://www.kijkwijzer.nl/films/missing/)
17. List of film licenses issued from 1945 to 2020
18. [Source](https://www.cnc.fr/professionnels/visas-et-classification/55797)
19. Cineplex
20. Bechdel Test Movie List
21. mymovies.it
22. The Movie Database
23. [Source](https://ui.eidr.org/view/content?id=10.5240/7FCD-F791-7060-2E1D-B523-J)
24. Trakt.tv
25. FilmVandaag.nl