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Cerro Rico: The Silver Mountain is a gripping documentary that highlights the brutal working conditions and harrowing dangers faced by the miners who extract silver from the Cerro Rico mountain located in Potosi, Bolivia. This captivating movie premiered at the Montreal International Documentary Festival in 2015 and quickly became an award-winning documentary that has opened the eyes of many to the plight of Bolivian miners.
The movie follows Guillermo Cruz, a Bolivian miner who has overcome incredible odds to survive and thrive as a miner in Cerro Rico. We watch as Guillermo leads us through a labyrinth of tunnels, some as narrow as a human body, that extend deep beneath the mountain's surface. He explains the long history of mineral extraction in the area that dates back to the Spanish colonial era.
The movie also takes us to meet a group of young boys, some as young as eight years old, who work in the mines to provide for their families. We see them work tirelessly with no breaks or protective gear, chipping away at the mountain's rocks with pickaxes, while inhaling toxic dust that will slowly kill them. In some cases, we witness the boys being subjected to dangerous working conditions, such as descending deep into pits with no harnesses or protective equipment.
The dangers involved in mining are illustrated in stark detail in Cerro Rico: The Silver Mountain. We see workers handling toxic chemicals, such as mercury, with no protective gear or respiratory equipment. We also witness the risk of structural collapse that puts the lives of the workers in danger everyday. One chilling scene shows a family mourning the loss of their loved ones who died in a cave collapse.
As we delve deeper into the story, we hear the accounts of the families who have lost their loved ones, and we see the devastating impact that mining has had on the local community. The movie highlights the corrupt practices of the mining companies that exploit the workers and the lack of protection provided by the Bolivian government. But despite these challenges, the miners of Cerro Rico remain undeterred in their quest for survival, continuing to work tirelessly amid the dangers they face every day.
Cerro Rico: The Silver Mountain also explores the cultural significance of mining in Potosi. We learn that the mountain has been a source of wealth and conflict for centuries, as different groups have fought for control of its vast riches. While the miners are proud of their heritage, they also face discrimination due to their social status and the color of their skin.
The film provides a poignant and thought-provoking account of the human cost of our consumerist culture's demand for precious metals. It is a reminder of the global inequality that exists, with wealthy nations benefiting from the exploitation of the natural resources of the developing world.
Overall, Cerro Rico: The Silver Mountain is a powerful documentary that sheds light on the harsh realities of mining in Bolivia. It is a must-see for anyone interested in human rights issues, social inequality, and global economics. The movie serves as a reminder that we cannot ignore the human cost of the products we consume, and it challenges us to think about the impact of our actions on the lives of people who live far beyond our borders.
Cerro Rico: The Silver Mountain is a 2015 documentary with a runtime of 33 minutes.
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Genres
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CastGuillermo CruzGrover Isaac Farfan OrtegaRaul Cruz
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DirectorArmin Thalhammer
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Release Date2015
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Runtime33 min
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IMDB Rating0.0 (13)
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