Uploaded April 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Described as one of the finest writers of his generation, Mario Vargas Llosa was at the forefront of South American fiction that made its mark in the mid-20th century. Mining events in his own life, novels such as Aunt Julia and the Scriptwriter and The Time of the Hero provided a window into Peru, the country he loved. In 1990, despairing at the violent turn his nation was taking, he was persuaded to stand for president.
Nicholas Shakespeare, a friend and fellow writer, filmed him throughout this journey for Omnibus. He questioned Vargas Llosa's motive - was it politics or was it adventure? And he explored Vargas Llosa’s past, asking what made him become the writer he was.
Nicholas looks back at the film and his own history in the region, where he feared assassination as he confronted some of the most dangerous elements in Peruvian politics. He shares his memories of the chaos, his warmth towards Vargas Llosa and, of course, the film itself, an intimate near confessional and a look at one of recent history’s most noted literary talents.
Described as one of the finest writers of his generation, Mario Vargas Llosa was at the forefront of South American fiction that made its mark in the mid-20th century. Mining events in his own life, novels such as Aunt Julia and the Scriptwriter and The Time of the Hero provided a window into Peru, the country he loved. In 1990, despairing at the violent turn his nation was taking, he was persuaded to stand for president.
Nicholas Shakespeare, a friend and fellow writer, filmed him throughout this journey for Omnibus. He questioned Vargas Llosa's motive - was it politics or was it adventure? And he explored Vargas Llosa’s past, asking what made him become the writer he was.
Nicholas looks back at the film and his own history in the region, where he feared assassination as he confronted some of the most dangerous elements in Peruvian politics. He shares his memories of the chaos, his warmth towards Vargas Llosa and, of course, the film itself, an intimate near confessional and a look at one of recent history’s most noted literary talents.
