INDEPENDENT LENS: THE DEVIL'S MINER {SPANISH WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES} (TV)
Summary
One in this PBS series that showcases new documentaries and dramas created by independent filmmakers that tell stories of ordinary people who are heroes nonetheless. This Spanish language documentary tells the story of a 14-year-old boy and his 12-year-old brother who work in highly dangerous Bolivian silver mines in the Cerro Rico Mountain range. The program begins by noting how 5,000 Indios (Spanish Indians) labor in the harsh mines, searching for remaining minerals. The narrative focuses on Basilio Vargas and his younger brother Bernardino, both of whom are employed at the La Cumbre mine, known as "the mountain that eats men." They set off dangerous dynamite explosions and work under particularly strenuous conditions. Basilio talks about his dreams, how he still attends school, and hopes that if he studies hard he can escape his tough life. After the Vargas's squald housing conditions are shown, the documentary shifts into discussing the dangers in guarding the mines at night. The Vargases -- and other miners -- feel that they must worship "Tio" (the Devil) in order to be safe. In the "outer world," the men all worship God, but they feel that the mines are controlled by Satan and that one must ask him for favors in order to survive. Those that die in the mines -- the men feel -- are those that have angered Tio. The program also addresses: how many miners die from the lung disease silicosis; the struggles of the boys' mother to raise them on little income; the boys' boss Saturnino Ortego, who discusses how the salary structure in the mines works; Basilio's first traumatic day in high school; and the importance of coca leaves to miners.
(This program is in Spanish with English subtitles.)
Cataloging of this program was made possible by The New York Times Company Foundation.
Details
- NETWORK: PBS
- DATE: March 23, 2005 10:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:22:02
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:89139
- GENRE: Public affairs/Documentaries
- SUBJECT HEADING: International Collection - United States; Child labor laws; Bolivia; Coal mines and mining - Safety measures
- SERIES RUN: PBS - TV series, 1999-
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Kief Davidson … Producer, Director, Writer
- Richard Ladkani … Producer, Director, Writer
- Werner Vennewald … Co-Producer
- Leonardo Heiblum … Music by
- Andres Solis … Music by
- Saturnino Ortega
- Basilio Vargas
- Bernardino Vargas