Elias Vidal

Lives Interrupted Elias Vidal

The lives of a family of four is documented through the years from 1948 to 1953 in South America. A family of modest means in Peru. The father, Luis Baltazar Peralta was a successful businessman but not political. Yet, most of his best friends were in the government and they met socially at their Country Club almost every day to drink, play cards and discuss the virtues of their thriving City and Country. Suddenly, life changed for the family when many of their friends were rounded up by the Militia. Close, personal friends of the Peraltas were killed at their work place or at home. As a result, the family had to leave quickly, with only their clothes on their backs and with what little they could carry. Basically, they had to start from scratch. This story documents the struggles of one family leaving one country for another, beginning from the ground up, succeeding, only to be thwarted by the corrupt government of Juan Peron. Once again, the story and struggles continue for the Peralta family, as it had to flee Argentina and start all over again in a new Country. The message of this story is that you can dream big, be committed to your dreams and work hard to achieve your goals if you want them bad enough. The Peralta Family did, but it wasn't easy.