Welcome to Enfoque: Las Americas

MEET “ENFOQUE”

The Enfoque: Las Americas television series, produced by the Television Service of the United States Information Agency (USIA) from 1967 to 1970, consisted of twelve single-theme episodes, each approximately twenty-eight minutes long. The series was distributed in Spanish throughout Spanish-speaking countries of Latin America, with a counterpart, entitled As Americas em Foco, for Brazil. Although presented as a series, each episode was individually researched. Completed episodes were pouched to American Embassies in the region for television broadcast and private screenings. Each program was budgeted at $30,000 for production costs, exclusive of government personnel salaries, a dollar amount equivalent to $250,000 today. 

The series marked a new direction for USIA television programming in Latin America. Unlike formats depicting U.S. themes, each episode was filmed entirely in Spanish America and Brazil without reference to the United States or its government. The series aimed to foster economic cooperation and regional unity, with each program focused on a single theme and reported on by local correspondents.

The series reinforced the objectives of the Alliance for Progress, a U.S.-led development initiative begun by President Kennedy in 1961 and continued by President Johnson, which sought to address poverty and social unrest in the Americas. By moving away from U.S.-centric narratives, the series promoted regional collaboration among nations and encouraged Latin Americans to take ownership for their economic development.

Production coincided with emerging economic groupings forming in Central and South America in the 1960s, inspired by the European Economic Community movement newly underway. Regional accords such as the Central American Common Market (CACM), the Latin American Free Trade Association (LAFTA), and the Andean Pact (Grupo Andino) were being established to promote economic integration and harmonize trade policies. Enfoque crews and regional correspondents explored these initiatives by interviews with political leaders and stories of ordinary citizens in their streets, farms and factories.

PRODUCTION NOTES

Each program was researched by a contract writer who identified relevant stories across various countries. For example, the episode on agricultural modernization examined improvements in rural communities to improve quality of life for residents, improve crop movements and stem the burgeoning population growth of cities. Another episode highlighted the importance of an increased role for women in the economic development of the region. USIA diplomatic staff at American Embassies coordinated contacts and schedules for filming, and Washington-based directors supervised on-location photography. After filming, the footage was sent to Washington for post production.

The first two episodes of Enfoque were photographed on location in black and white film. Other early programs of the series combined color and black-and-white footage, a direct result of internal competition between the Agency’s Film Service and the producing Television Service. While the Film Service produced color content for theatrical release, the Television Service was limited to black-and-white videotape production.  Consequently, studio segments of Enfoque were converted to black-and-white film (kinescope) and integrated with vibrant color footage photographed on location in Spanish and Portuguese America.   

For most television viewers in the region, the hybrid color format made little difference, as few regional networks then transmitted in color and most TV sets in the region supported only black-and-white reception, however Embassy officers responsible for organizing film screenings, criticized the irregular presentation and voiced their objections. In response to this feedback, the policy was modified and all-color episodes of the series were produced midway through production.

The core USIA staff production team consisted of an Executive Producer and Associate Producers assisted by administrative and clerical back-up. Photography, editing, and other post-production services were contracted to private sector companies. As Executive Producer, I oversaw all programs. Full credits for each film are available.

ENJOY THE PROGRAMS

Step into the vibrant world of Enfoque: Las Americas – a showcase of Spanish America and Brazil in the late 1960s! Experience stunning photography and an original musical score, as the hemisphere’s top correspondents measure the pulse of its political, economic, and cultural life. Meet three sitting presidents, witness performances by renowned musical and dance groups, and enjoy the masterworks of celebrated painters and sculptors. Journey through ancient pre-Colombian sites and discover the pioneers driving innovation in science, medicine, trade, and education. Meet Mexican film star, Cantinflas, at work on a movie. Join the world famous Holy Week procession in Antigua Guatemala. Enjoy the wine festival in Mendoza, Argentina. Visit the ancient Inca “Festival of the Sun,” in Cusco, Peru. Listen to the young women of twelve countries speak of their aspirations and leading journalists share their strategies to inform the public in the face of government resistance. Come to know Patricio Bañados, Chile’s dynamic and erudite television host, as he invites you to explore his Latin America and its endless surprises.

THE PROGRAMS

The eleven programs posted on this blog are from the Spanish version of the series, each is digitized from 16mm films held in private collections. Series numbers and participating countries are listed below.

THEME – LOCATIONS 

Economic Integration – Colombia, Guatemala, Chile, Argentina 

Economic Integration II (Missing from the collection) 

Agriculture – Peru, Brazil, Honduras  

Communications – Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Argentina 

The Health of a Continent – Argentina, Ecuador, Brazil, Peru, Colombia 

Science/Technology – Venezuela, Argentina, Guatemala, México 

Journalists in Action – Venezuela, Chile, Mexico, Colombia,  

Culture – Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador, México, Brazil, Uruguay 

Education – Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Peru, Uruguay 

Youth – Chile, Costa Rica, Peru  

The Woman of the New Decade – Colombia, Brazil, Honduras, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay Venezuela. Mexico, Bolivia. Nicaragua, Peru 

Made in Latin America – Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Nicaragua