I met the young protagonists of this film through the Community of Artistic Producers (COMPA), a non-profit organization that creatively channels the voices of marginalized city youth. I worked for two months as a volunteer, leading theater workshops for the youth and for students and educators in El Alto. While working, I lived in the cultural center, and there I realized the wisdom and perceptiveness of those that inhabit the periphery: from El Alto’s high vantage point one sees all of La Paz, and everyone knows La Paz, but for geographic and social reasons those from La Paz can’t even see El Alto, which they fear and avoid at all costs. I see the same dynamic on a world level, where the marginal, youth and artists know an enormous amount, but are largely unknown. Many Bolivians know Hollywood; how many Californians know Bolivia? This film offers a glimpse of this globally marginal but broadly perceptive vision.
Living in COMPA’s building, made of all doors and windows, I couldn’t help but dream of opening a portal to the entire world, so that the art and everyday life of these extraordinary youth could be seen. I formed close personal bonds with the actors, with whom I planned and carried out the filming as a collective experiment from the beginning. These individuals reflect many of the principle characteristics of El Alto and Bolivia: an indigenous origin with a regard for the globalized world, and a highly politicized form of spectacular expression. They seek to bring about a more just, equitable, participative, democratic, and community solidarity-oriented society, in the most creative ways.
This film puts these ideas centerstage. This art transforms artist and audience, it moves one to action and even tears, not only on stage, but with direct dialogue that demands public reaction. This art is not simply representation, it is manifestation. The youth don’t simply represent the dead from October 2003, they manifest the fallen. The performances don’t simply enter into public spaces to spread ideas of justice, they are justice in action, bringing memory to the people.
These creative and peaceful voices are needed now more than ever in a national and international context of increasing rigidity and polarization, in Bolivia and throughout the world.
Bolivia is at a turning point: the indigenous majority has control of the government, a new constitution has just entered into effect, and centuries-old power structures are being destroyed. It remains to be seen what will replace them, and moderate voices that allow open and critical dialogue are needed. Clearly, the conflicts are far from over, with deeply-entrenched opposition among the wealthy elite, those wary of oppressive centralized power they see forming in La Paz’s indigenous government, and those that see radical change as destabilizing and divisive. The youth, especially those in marginalized situations, are often overlooked in these conflicts. Nevertheless, they understand these dramatic changes in a unique way. As a Bolivian-American educator, I also have come to understand them uniquely, from inside and outside. I have often had to communicate the complex social, cultural, and political issues Bolivia faces to people unfamiliar with the topic – absolutely key to making this documentary successful.
There is currently much international interest in Bolivia and her unusually dramatic conflicts and resolutions. We will satisfy that interest with a creative, intimate and captivating vision, exploring and manifesting the transformative power of art, memory, identity and the diversity of human expression.
