“Because if I can not control the army, then what am I doing here?”- General Efraín Ríos Montt, 1982
This excerpt from Pamela Yates’ latest work was used as evidence in a Spanish court of law against a military man wanted for genocide.
Twenty-nine years after death squads murdered tens of thousands of indigenous farmers in the mountains of Guatemala, the new film Granito: How to Nail a Dictator (2011) is an indictment of General Efraín Ríos Montt and his junta as Spanish prosecutors apparent to label their activities 29 years ago as genocide. Granito, or grain in English, metaphorically refers to the power of individuals working together achieve great things. In this case, it’s social justice in both international jurisprudence and the court of public opinion.
Yates, a documentary filmmaker and co-founder of Skylight Pictures, directed the film, which expands upon the issues addressed in When The Mountains Tremble (1982) a documentary on the suffering of the Maya in early 80’s Guatemala.
Now, in 201l, evidence is being brought forth in an attempt to bring Montt to justice in Madrid. With a background that is internationally set, the film documents the case building against Montt in the Spanish National Court (SNC). With the word having been spread since the release of her earlier film, friends of Yates, armed with their evidence, have joined in the effort to bring Montt and the junta to justice.
After the screening Yates took questions that spanned from the US sponsored ousting of President Arbenz and landownership rights to current attempts at reclaiming indigenous land from multinational corporations that use the State as a tool of repression.
Granito ranks high in terms of style and cinematic craftsmanship. It is a very important and informative work, one that leaves the viewer with a sense of empowerment to take on great challenges and confront serious wrongdoing head on, independently, if necessary. The inclusion of her interview outtakes with Montt solidifies this fact, as it produced a priceless piece of footage and important piece of evidence in his prosecution.
With multiple locales, beautiful shots of Guatemala, the Mayan way of life and cinematographic cleverness in angles and edits, the film stays interesting and fluid. Transitions between the past and present assert Yates and her associates’ passion and dedication to documentary filmmaking throughout the years.
The work that Yates produced describes how journalism really can make a difference. Without the tireless approach she took in keeping the discourse on the Guatemalan genocide alive in Granito, we would probably remain ignorant about an important moment in history.
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“Because if I can not control the army, then what am I doing here?”- General Efraín Ríos Montt, 1982
This excerpt from Pamela Yates’ latest work was used as evidence in a Spanish court of law against a military man wanted for genocide.
Twenty-nine years after death squads murdered tens of thousands of indigenous farmers in the mountains of Guatemala, the new film Granito: How to Nail a Dictator (2011) is an indictment of General Efraín Ríos Montt and his junta as Spanish prosecutors apparent to label their activities 29 years ago as genocide. Granito, or grain in English, metaphorically refers to the power of individuals working together achieve great things. In this case, it’s social justice in both international jurisprudence and the court of public opinion.
Yates, a documentary filmmaker and co-founder of Skylight Pictures, directed the film, which expands upon the issues addressed in When The Mountains Tremble (1982) a documentary on the suffering of the Maya in early 80’s Guatemala.
Now, in 201l, evidence is being brought forth in an attempt to bring Montt to justice in Madrid. With a background that is internationally set, the film documents the case building against Montt in the Spanish National Court (SNC). With the word having been spread since the release of her earlier film, friends of Yates, armed with their evidence, have joined in the effort to bring Montt and the junta to justice.
After the screening Yates took questions that spanned from the US sponsored ousting of President Arbenz and landownership rights to current attempts at reclaiming indigenous land from multinational corporations that use the State as a tool of repression.
Granito ranks high in terms of style and cinematic craftsmanship. It is a very important and informative work, one that leaves the viewer with a sense of empowerment to take on great challenges and confront serious wrongdoing head on, independently, if necessary. The inclusion of her interview outtakes with Montt solidifies this fact, as it produced a priceless piece of footage and important piece of evidence in his prosecution.
With multiple locales, beautiful shots of Guatemala, the Mayan way of life and cinematographic cleverness in angles and edits, the film stays interesting and fluid. Transitions between the past and present assert Yates and her associates’ passion and dedication to documentary filmmaking throughout the years.
The work that Yates produced describes how journalism really can make a difference. Without the tireless approach she took in keeping the discourse on the Guatemalan genocide alive in Granito, we would probably remain ignorant about an important moment in history.
]]>On Thursday we have a fantastic opportunity to engage with some of the key voices in the Egyptian Revolution. A special event in association with BBC Arabic Service at the Royal Institution of Great Britain, this is an unmissable opportunity to hear Omar Robert Hamilton, Manal Hassan, Khalid Abdalla, Salma Said and others reflect on the momentous events in Egypt. As protests continue against new anti-protest laws, they will also discuss the challenges that lie ahead for their revolution and for those taking place across the region.
]]>Screenings in the week ahead include Victory Day, a portrait of journalism and crime in Russia; a special preview screening of Armadillo following young Danish soldiers stationed in Afghanistan and Granito, documenting the search for justice in Guatemala
Next week’s third party event will be examining the tools of the modern media age. We will be annoucing the subject of April’s First Wednesday discussion tomorrow.
And don’t forget our Club Quiz tonight – enter as an individual or as a team of six for an evening of entertainment hosted by David Dickinson.
We highly recommend seeing the three we’re partnering with (details below). Also if you missed them at the club please do go and see Laura Poitras’ The Oath and Jennifer Arnold’s A Small Act.
The Team, dir. Patrick Reed
March 27 4.30pm (link to book)
Ritzy Cinema, Brixton Oval – box office 0871 902 5739
March 28 9pm (link to book)
Ritzy Cinema, Brixton Oval – box office 0871 902 5739
Granito, dir. Pamela Yates
March 25, 6.15pm (link to book)
ICA, The Mall – box office 0207 930 3647
March 26, 4pm (link to book)
Curzon Soho, 99 Shaftesbury Avenue – box office 0871 7033 988
When the Mountains Tremble, dir. Pamela Yates
March 26, 6.30pm (link to book)
Curzon Soho, 99 Shaftesbury Avenue – box office 0871 7033 988
More information about the festival can be found here.
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