Impressive documentary covering the return of French photojournalist Miquel Dewever-Plana to Guatemala, bringing along the final product of his research about the genocide of the Mayan peasants by the army during the country's civil war. The results were a book that compiled photographs and testimonies by the surviving victims, and by the relatives or friends of the dead, and an exhibition of selected laminated photographs, which were hanged between trees, house walls or fences in the open air, in the countryside. But Dewever-Plana avoids the possibility of becoming the star of the film in the "Michael Moore style", and takes a back seat leaving images, people and music express all the drama lived in Guatemala. Adults and children watch the photographs, recognize the victims, and express their thoughts, while we witness the exhumation of common graves and the tour delivering the book going on, and the music by Paulo Alvarado interconnects all the elements. As one old man states, the photojournalist's work is the recovery of the people's memory, and a testimony for future generations of what happened to his, victimized by the army and landowners. The book has been distributed in schools and libraries in Guatemala. Western civilization has focused on the holocaust of the 20th century world wars, putting aside chapters of history which are as dramatic as those events, with the extermination of millions of human lives: the genocide of the Native Americans, since the 15th century. And it still goes on.
2 Reviews
Unveiling the Truth
inioi26 April 2016
In some cases, documentaries are needed to help understand how and why certain events occurred. Sometimes these facts are buried for a long time, hiding the truth of what really happened.
I think we should attach great value to the simple fact of revealing it, considering the effect it can have on people who were (directly or indirectly) involved in the events.
This documentary is raw, direct and shocking. A brave, sincere and committed work, and a nice gesture to those involved in the genocide.
On the other hand, also it puts into question the functioning of the judiciary system, since the responsible of the genocide are still today without getting a fair trial, by which can be condemned.
8/10
I think we should attach great value to the simple fact of revealing it, considering the effect it can have on people who were (directly or indirectly) involved in the events.
This documentary is raw, direct and shocking. A brave, sincere and committed work, and a nice gesture to those involved in the genocide.
On the other hand, also it puts into question the functioning of the judiciary system, since the responsible of the genocide are still today without getting a fair trial, by which can be condemned.
8/10
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