SYNOPSIS
Nicolasa
and Berta Quintreman are two brothers belonging to the Mapuche Pehuenche
ethnic groups. They are both over 70. They live in the Ralco Lepoy community
in a remote area of Chile. They and three other families have been at the
heart of a battle to stop a massive hydroelectric project. Work on diverting
the river began a few weeks ago to allow building of the dam wall. But
the seven families refuse to exchange their ancestral lands for plots elsewhere,
even though 83 other families have done so.
It
is an unequal struggle. The families have formidable interests ranged against
them - the Spanish-owned Chilean utility, the Chilean government and most
of the country's political parties. Opposing them are a handful of natives,
ecologists and hippies. The law courts will deliver their judgment on the
issue in a few weeks, but things look bleak for the Indians.
Those
opposing the dam argue that the project will destroy an irreplaceable eco-system
as well as two of the seven remaining Pehuenche Indian communities. Those
in favor say that Chile needs the electricity to fuel its economic development.
Advocates point out the Spanish company has spent a fortune on environmental
measures and that those Indians who accepted the land swap have done very
well out of the deal.
The
whole battle is part of a wider struggle by the Mapuches to recover their
ancestral lands. This is one of the lesser-know consequences of Pinochet's
dictatorship during which the army expropriated Indian land and sold it
to timber companies and agribusiness at knock-down prices. The result has
been countless skirmishes between Indians and heavily-armed police. The
Indians refuse to buckle under because their land lies at the root of their
culture and religion.
This
vivid documentary shows two worlds in collision and the high price paid
for progress. It shows the first shots of the battle zone and the dam under
construction.
És
un reportatge de Carles Guàrdia.
Imatge:
Ferran Prat.
Producció:
Tona Julià.
Muntatge
Jesús Villanova.
Post-producció
de so: Ramon Ruiz.
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