Between the Americas, Ep. 3: The Silence of Guatemala
Stef Biemans | Documentary
2023 | 43 minutes | The Netherlands
The Maya people's 40-year silence on the Guatemalan genocide under General Ríos Montt. Will there be a moment to finally break this silence?
Synopsis
If we listen attentively to the stories of the Maya people, we will encounter a silence that has endured for 40 years. This silence surrounds the genocide that occurred under the rule of General Efraín Ríos Montt.
Termed 'The Silence of Guatemala,' it reflects the lack of recognition for the mass slaughter of indigenous people. Is the time now ripe to break this silence?
Series Description
For a long time, Central America seemed to be on the rise, but opposing forces have hindered any positive developments. There have emerged two Americas, and in between these two visions, journalist Stef Biemans listens to the stories of Central America. Biemans has lived and worked in the region for more than 15 years and brights to light the delicate situation of many Central Americans in a calleidoscope of sounds and stories.
Reviews
“What we hear and see in Between the Americas is beautiful poetry and deeply disturbing.” — NRC Handelsblad
“This series feels just as colorful and double-edged as a fairy tale. In between the ominous stories,
you can find hope and humanity, just like in a real fary tale.” — Trouw
“A documentary maker wants to portray an unkown area with the sounds of a small recording device.
If I would be in charge of a network I would tell him to get lost. But if the documentary maker is Stef Biemans and the area is Central America, I hope I will have the wisdom to say yes.” — Groene Amsterdammer
Citation
Main credits
Biemans, Stef (film director)
Biemans, Stef (narrator)
Frints, Nicole (film producer)
Other credits
Cinematography, Remco Bikkers; editing, Joël Hielckert & Stef Biemans.
Citation
Cataloging
Pragda subjects
Central America
Culture + Identity
Economics + Social Class Issues
Environment + Sustainability
Fascism + Repression
Geography
Human Rights
Indigenous Peoples
Latin American Studies
Sociology
Keywords
Clips
DIRECTOR: Stef Biemans
NATIONALITY: The Netherlands
YEAR: 2023
GENRE: Documentary
LANGUAGE: Dutch; Spanish; Other languages
COLOR / B&W: Color
GRADE LEVEL: Middle School, High School, College, Adult
SUBTITLE/CC: AVAILABLE
AUDIO DESCRIPTION: NOT AVAILABLE
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Crossing the Andes, Ep. 05 - My Mother-in-Law Stayed at Home
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