Watch Minerita

Minerita is a 2015 documentary film directed by Raúl de la Fuente and followed three women miners from Bolivia: Lucía (silver miner), Ivonne (tin miner), and Norma (tungsten miner). The documentary depicts the harsh realities of the miners and their struggles as they work hard to extract valuable minerals from the Potosí Mountain.

The film starts by informing the audience about Potosí Mountain situated in Bolivia, which has the largest concentration of silver in the world. Mines located in the mountain are the only source of livelihood for the families living in the region. The three women miners that the audience follows are struggling to make ends meet for their families and are determined to work hard to secure a better future for themselves and their children.

The documentary presents the stories of the three miners in three separate chapters. The first chapter of the documentary focuses on Lucía and her struggles to provide for her family during the rainy season that prohibits them from working in the open pit. The tribulations that Lucía and her family face are enormous, and the ways she goes over and beyond to provide for her children is an incredible story.

The second chapter of the documentary visits the daily life of Ivonne, whose role is to extract tin from the mines. She discusses the difficulties of working long hours in the mines and how being a mother impacts her work. As a result, Ivonne must have long working hours and be away from her children, which has an emotional impact on them. However, despite the harsh reality of her work, Ivonne considers herself a proud miner and wouldn't change anything about her job.

The third and final chapter of the documentary offers insight into the life of Norma, a young woman whose job is to extract tungsten, an incredibly valuable rare metal. Her job is amongst the most important, considering how difficult the task is, but she does it with incredible grace and a smile on her face. Like Ivonne, Norma is a mother whose husband is also a miner, and they both work hard to make ends meet for their children. Additionally, the documentary explores the challenges of working in a male-dominated mining industry, and how women like Norma, Ivonne, and Lucía break barriers to prove themselves.

Throughout the documentary, we see the struggles and dangers present in the life of a miner. The women constantly battle harsh working conditions, such as dust and high temperatures, as they work for long hours to support their families. Proper safety measures are non-existent in these mines, and the risk of accidents is constantly high. Despite the danger, the women miners continue working with grace and honor.

Minerita rightfully showcases the shining spirit of Lucía, Ivonne, and Norma and their never-ending quest for a better future. The hill of silver contains huge amounts of precious ores, and the miners work tirelessly to extract the valuable minerals, all with the dream of offering their children a better life.

Director Raúl de la Fuente's focus on the lives of the three women miners is a powerful and compelling testament to their courage and strength. He opens the window to the world of the miners and the invisible sacrifices they make every day. The documentary perfectly captures the essence of their daily battles and the impact that their work has on their lives and their family.

In conclusion, Minerita is a perfect documentary for everyone who wants to explore and witness the true power of human spirit and resilience. The documentary is a tribute to the miners who work hard to make the world a better place, physically digging out valuable minerals from the earth, and dedicating their lives to provide a better life for their loved ones.