Colombian director Juan José Lozano lives in Geneva and travelled back to his country of birth for his first long documentary to cover the never-ending battle of one of the most courageous journalists in Latin America.
Hollman Morris produces and directs the current-affairs programme Contravía, which shows the consequences of the armed struggle that has gripped Colombia for 40 years. The poor peasant population suffers and the government washes its hands of the affair. Despite death threats, Morris doesn’t stop. He reveals that not only the guerillas are guilty of violence, but also the government supported para-militaries, who destroy the farmers’ land without offering any compensation.
Morris speaks to victims, witnesses and experts who estimate the number of peasants who have disappeared at about 20,000. Four million have already been forced to leave their land. Morris traces mass graves and indicts those responsible on television. But the television world is dominated by amusement and Contravía has been shifted to a late-night slot. The many prizes that Morris wins in other countries are not reported in the Colombian media and even his wife occasionally has her doubts about whether international recognition will be enough for him to maintain his lonely struggle. Morris’ family lives under continuous guard and their personal sacrifices are enormous.
Film details
- Countries of production
- France, Switzerland
- Year
- 2008
- Festival edition
- IFFR 2009
- Length
- 87'
- Medium/Format
- 35mm
