Through the eyes of children, a look at life in a rural community controlled by paramilitary forces
ABC COLOMBIA is an intimate portrait of a rural community in a part of Colombia entirely controlled by paramilitary forces, rendered through the eyes of the children who grow up there, and who are often forced into very difficult choices. Along the mountainous terrain of the Don Diego River, there is a small building of white cement on whose walls children have drawn the plants and wildlife of the region. This is the school of the children of the campesinos, a single elementary class of 25 students between 5 and 15 years old, the age at which school ends for them. But not all children finish, as many must leave to work as coca-leaf pickers or to patrol the mountains as part of the paramilitary, defending the area’s enormous stretches of coca fields from infiltration by guerrillas or the army. The documentary follows these young protagonists in this problematic setting through an entire school year, exploring some of the realities that nurture and perpetuate the violence in Colombia.
ABC COLOMBIA is an intimate portrait of a rural community in a part of Colombia entirely controlled by paramilitary forces, rendered through the eyes of the children who grow up there, and who are often forced into very difficult choices. Along the mountainous terrain of the Don Diego River, there is a small building of white cement on whose walls children have drawn the plants and wildlife of the region. This is the school of the children of the campesinos, a single elementary class of 25 students between 5 and 15 years old, the age at which school ends for them. But not all children finish, as many must leave to work as coca-leaf pickers or to patrol the mountains as part of the paramilitary, defending the area’s enormous stretches of coca fields from infiltration by guerrillas or the army. The documentary follows these young protagonists in this problematic setting through an entire school year, exploring some of the realities that nurture and perpetuate the violence in Colombia.
very moving documentary. don’t know wither to support illegalization in USA of crack or to support legalization? If the power of the drugs are taken away from these areas, say they’re legalized in the USA, and elsewhere, then what need will there be for any militant forces in Columbia? What will be their new jobs? At the worst, kidnapping the rich? ahhhh… now that’s a skrewed up thought, but isn’t this what everyone wants… err, I mean money? First, financial equality must be more evenly distributed. Secondly, get rid of the freakin’ guns. the poor kids in the vid look at guns like tools, while the poor teacher (bless her soul) lets them act the fool playing “real life.”
however her overall statement was well received after the students burned (with reasons) their play guns, hopefully teaching them the stupidity of killing. i know easier said than done… Overall, the makers of this short doc, have brought to life some very serious and sad issues. Screw doing cocaine in the USA - there are many perils to one’s desire, which make the addiction unforgivable! STOP!!!
Posted 04/30/09 by Shelly
Que triste cuento de los jovenes con pocas opciones en su vida. Pienso en mis alumnos del colegio que se quejan de tener que estudiar y no realizan las oportunidades que tienen en este pais. Me rompe el corazon ver una maestra dedicada a educar a los jovenes de su pais tratar de explicar porque la vida es asi en Colombia. Espero que mejore la situacion politica alla en los anos que vienen para dar un futuro mejor a los ninos de Colombia.
Posted 02/06/09 by SwampFox-82nd
Unlike many who viewed this for the first time, I was there. The government troops, the paramilitary, and the guerillas all share equally in the killing of the innocent. The “paramilitary” are financed by out-side third-party covert operators, not unlike the NSA, and the CIA. The guerillas can be financed by druglords, and others interested in destablizing the government. The “government” has its own agenda—make the peons pay for the privilege of “living” on “their” land. These innocent people are my friends! I met with local San Blas Indians, and listened to their wisdom. They, like most people, know first hand how those with weapons force them to pay “rent,” “tax,” and their own labors of crop to feed their families. Remind moi to tell you about the “Contras.” Then you too will see how our own CIA and NSA have financed an illegal army—without the consent of Congress. Not only was I present, I too was a combatant with the 82nd Airborne Division. And, unlike our own government who has lied repeatedly about funding “terrorists,” my words are Truth. ~Peace~
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