Our commitment to ethical filmmaking is paramount, and the process of obtaining consent is a central aspect of this. This journey unfolded over many years, with a significant emphasis on nurturing and maintaining relationships. Our small team worked closely with Luz Marina and Albeiro, forming bonds of trust and understanding, underlining the fact that consent goes beyond a mere signature – it necessitates a deep level of mutual trust and ongoing dialogue.
In the case of the indigenous communities, we consistently sought permission from their local authorities before initiating any filming. Furthermore, these authorities were informed about the purpose of the shoot, ensuring that the community was aware and supportive of our efforts. Upon the completion of the editing process and before any public exposure, we arranged screenings for the protagonists, Albeiro’s family, and the indigenous authorities. Their permission and valuable insights on the material were sought before we considered showcasing the film to the wider audience. It was our priority to ensure that our portrayal was accurate, respectful, and agreed upon by those whose lives and stories we were privileged to capture.
In the aftermath of her son’s murder in 2008, Luz Marina Bernal united with other mothers from her local community, all victims of the same horrifying crime. Situated in Soacha, a suburb on the outskirts of Bogotá, Colombia’s capital, these mothers established the group “Madres de Soacha.” United, they denounced the state for the deaths of their sons, unveiling a deeply rooted and systematical crime in the process: Young men, enticed by deceptive promises of employment, were led hundreds of miles from their homes. They were then brutally executed by the Colombian military, their deaths masqueraded under the false guise of being fallen guerrilla fighters.
Luz Marina and the other mothers spent years relentlessly condemning these actions, unveiling a horrifying pattern: approximately between 6.000 and 10,000 civilians had met the same brutal fate at the hands of the Colombian military. Their determined resistance caused Luz Marina to become a national leader and symbol of resistance against these state atrocities. Luz Marina evolved into a notable public figure, her life consumed entirely by her struggle for justice.
She participated in peace talks in Havana, was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2016, and ran for Senate under the banner of the “Colombia Humana” movement. Moreover, she brought a lawsuit against ex-president Alvaro Uribe, while continuing to expose the crimes through artistic mediums such as art and theatre.
Albeiro Camayo, an indigenous farmer, led a humble life within his community. The Nasa tribe, to which he belonged, is renowned for one of the strongest resistance movements in all of Latin America. For centuries, they’ve engaged in protecting their territories and reclaiming stolen land, standing defiant against colonial and capitalist intrusions. Born to community leaders, Albeiro dedicated his entire life to defending his communities rights and autonomy. In recent decades, the situation within his territory grew increasingly convoluted due to the influx of armed groups, illegal mining activities, drug trafficking, and massive land monopolies. In accordance with their cosmovision, Albeiro and his community knew that their only option was to actively resist these encroachments and safeguard Mother Earth.
Fueled by this profound connection to their land, Albeiro and his community established an unarmed self-defense unit, the „Guardia Indígena“. Albeiro became one of the most important coordinators of this group. The subsequent years witnessed Albeiro leading large-scale protests against the government, including street blockades, reclaiming land from multinational corporations, and shutting down illegal mining and illicit cultivation in their territory. As a prominent leader, Albeiro increasingly found his life in danger, surviving five assassination attempts in just three years. In the wake of disarmament, new armed groups began to infiltrate Albeiro’s territory, escalating drug trafficking activities. Albeiro demanded these groups vacate the indigenous lands – a struggle that ultimately led to his tragic death in January 2022. His spirit continues to inspire us and resonates in every action of his community as they steadfastly defend their territory.
