Peru

Coraje (Peru), 1998.
Story based on the last months in the life of Maria Elena Moyano, a leader of a women’s organization in a slum outside of Lima. Known as Mother Courage, she stood up against the violence and terrorism that plagued her village. She was killed by the Shining Path for her work.

Gregorio (Peru), 1982.
Describes the experience of a Peruvian Indian family that moves to Lima in search of work. Following the death of the father, Gregorio is expected to help support the family. As time passes, he becomes caught up instead in the street life of Lima.

Manuela Sáenz: la libertadora del libertador (Venezuela), 2000.
A whaling ship carrying Herman Melville arrives in Peru, where he finds Manuela Sáenz, the former mistress of Símon Bólivar. Her life story enfolds as she rereads letters from Bólivar which recount her life as a colonel in his movement to unite South America into one nation.

No se lo digas a nadie — Don’t tell anyone (Peru), 1998.
Based on the alleged autobiography of gay Peruvian talk show host Jaime Bayly, this is the story of Joaquin, a troubled youth from a well-to-do family in Peru, who must overcome the domineering influences of his macho, racist father and obsessively religious mother to discover his true sexual nature.

Ojos que no ven — What the Eye Doesn’t See (Peru), 2004.
The film ties six stories during the days when the “vladivideos” (tapes where Vladimiro Montesinos, the Peruvian’s president counselor, is recorded while he was buying opposite politics) have appeared causing the fall of Fujimori’s government in Peru.

Paloma de papel (Venezuela), 2003.
The harrowing coming of age story of a young Peruvian man struggling to survive poverty, corruption, and violence when Shining Path guerrillas sweep through and force the helpless youngster into their ranks.

Papapapá (United States), 1997.
An experimental documentary about both the potato and the video maker’s father, Augusto Rivera. Traces the potato’s and the father’s immigration from Peru to the United States. Culminates in an examination of potatoes and Peruvians in American society

State of Fear (United States), 2005.
The Peruvian Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s official report chronicles the atrocities of both sides during the twenty year war between Abimael Guzman’s revolutionary “Shining path” Indian guerrilla movement and the establishment governments. The Commission presents an alternate lens through which citizens of Peru can evaluate the inequalities their Indian people sought to address and the inevitable ravages modern terrorism brings to everyone.