Refugees in Their Own Land

The immediate impact and dramatic photos from natural disasters dominate the media. But what about the period afterwards? This quietly powerful documentary captures the devastation and heroism of a community in those months and years after such a crisis. Filmed during four years in Chaitén in the south of Chile, it tells the story of a group of people who re-occupy their town, which was partly buried by a volcanic eruption and flood, in order to stop the authorities from forcing them to abandon it. The few remaining residents live among the ashes, mired in a sense of abandonment and persecuted by the State, trying to find a way to defend their identity.

Connection to one’s traditional land is a sentiment far deeper than words, and is brilliantly captured in this contemplative and richly visual film. (AM)

Filmado durante cuatro años en el sur de Chile, el documental narra la vida de un grupo de personas que regresa a su pueblo, tras la erupción de un volcán, para impedir que las autoridades abandonen el lugar. Allí se encuentran con un escenario desolador, el río se ha desbordado y muchas casas han desaparecido por completo. Los años pasan y el veredicto final sobre el futuro del pueblo no llega. El tiempo parece haberse detenido. Ahora viven entre las cenizas, sumidos en el abandono y perseguidos por el Estado, buscando defender su identidad.