Peru, Indigenous/Environmental Documentary, 2015
88 min, Color
Spanish with English subtitles

Nélida is an Andean woman able to communicate with nature’s spirits. She feels she is the daughter of the lakes that provide water to her village. Just beneath her lakes is Yanacocha, Latin America’s largest gold mine, which has a deposit valued at billions of dollars. The Peruvian government supports mining the reserves, even if it means drying out the lakes. Farmers who live downstream oppose the project because they fear running out of water. It has turned into a life and death struggle. The police have killed five men during the protests and the farmers not only have to confront the political and economic powers, but also the people in their communities who now depend on the small jobs the mine has given them. Despite the difficulties, Nélida’s determination does not waver and she goes back to the lakes and prays to the water spirits for the strength to keep going in her struggle for justice.

Regional Premiere

www.hijadelalaguna.pe

About the director

Ernesto Cabellos Damián was born in Lima and is founder of Guarango, a documentary filmmakers association. Ernesto has produced and directed several feature documentary feature films, including CHOROPAMPA, TAMBOGRANDE and DE OLLAS Y SUEÑOS, the latter of which screened at CLAIFF13. Ernesto’s documentaries have been selected in more than 150 international film festivals, obtaining 35 awards and distinctions, and broadcast on international television channels.

Credits

Producer: Ernesto Cabellos, Núria Frigola
Production Companies: Guarango Cine y Video
Screenwriter: Ernesto Cabellos
Cinematographer: Carlos Sánchez, Jessica Steiner, Miguel Hilari
Editor: Antolín Prieto
Sound Design: José Balado
Music: Martín Choy Yín
Cast: Nélida Ayay, Bibi VanDer Velden, Máxima Acuña

Print Source: Sergio García Locatelli, sergiogarcia@quechuafilms.com