Watch The Devil's Miner

The Devil's Miner is a 2005 documentary that tells the story of two brothers, Basilio and Bernardino Vargas, who live and work as miners in the Potosí mines of Bolivia. The film is directed by Richard Ladkani and Kief Davidson. The title of the film refers to the belief of the miners that their work is controlled by Satan, who they refer to as 'El Tío' or 'The Uncle'. The miners believe that by making offerings to El Tío, they will be protected from danger and will be successful in their work.

The film shows the harsh living and working conditions of the miners, who start work at the age of 14 and continue working until they can no longer continue. It also shows the daily rituals of the miners who pray to El Tío for protection and good fortune.

The film focuses on the lives of the two brothers, who are 14 and 12 years old respectively. Basilio, the older brother, has been working as a miner for four years and is the family's main breadwinner. He dreams of becoming a teacher someday, but with no formal education, it seems unlikely. Bernardino, the younger brother, attends school when he is not working in the mines. The film shows the struggles of the brothers as they try to balance their responsibilities as workers and their dreams for their future.

Through the eyes of the two brothers, we see the physical and mental toll that mining takes on the miners. The cramped conditions, the constant danger, and the lack of medical care all contribute to a high mortality rate among the miners. We see the miners who have lost limbs or been blinded by accidents, and we hear from the families who have lost loved ones.

The filmmakers do not shy away from showing the exploitation of the miners by their employers. The miners are paid a pittance for their work, with the profits going to the mine owners. The miners are also not provided with any safety equipment and are expected to work in hazardous conditions.

The Devil's Miner is not just a film about the harsh realities of mining in Bolivia. It is also a film about the power of superstition and the human need for hope. The miners believe in El Tío because they have little else to believe in. The offerings they make to him give them a sense of control in a world where they have none.

Overall, The Devil's Miner is a powerful and moving documentary that sheds light on the lives of those who work in the Potosí mines. It is a film that is both heartbreaking and inspiring, showing the resilience of the human spirit even in the most difficult of circumstances.

The Devil's Miner is a 2005 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 22 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.5 and a MetaScore of 81.