Because I Wanted To Study

In the remote Andean highlands of Peru, a tight-knit indigenous peasant community has endured generations of brutal exploitation by local landowners. When a shocking act of violence exposes the complete failure of the official justice system to protect them, the villagers’ simmering anger pushes them toward a crossroads.

Based on the eponymous novel by Ciro Alegría. An indigenous community living their day-to-day and their relationship with nature. They can be reimagined as hungry dogs.

A documentary which shows the struggle of many women surrounding the Miss Universe 1982 pageant hosted by Peru. The government invested a large sum of money in this event, during a time the country suffered an acute political, economic and social crisis. On the other hand, we can appreciate the denigrating use of the women's image in publicity.

An indigenous tradition in the highlands of Peru where three key players take part: a wild condor, a raging bull and brave young men.

Gregorio, a boy from the impoverished countryside of Peru emigrates to Lima, the capital city. Experiencing a cultural shock due to the chaotic nature of the city, he must challenge himself to learn Spanish, since his native tongue is Quechua, and survive in this whole prejudiced new world. A hostile world for poor immigrants.

The Virgin of Candelaria is associated with Pachamama, or Mother Earth, Lake Titicaca, mines, and lightning. An impressive variety of dances are performed during the first two weeks of February. The festival takes place within the context of carnivals, the rainy season, ritual competitions, and courtship.

During the course of our era, a major pre-Hispanic civilization, now called the Moche, developed on the northern coast of Peru, flourishing as the Roman Empire declined, a thousand years before the Inca civilization emerged. The film reconstructs the various aspects of the social and romantic life of the Moche people, based on their rich pottery.

A look at the history of Andahuaylas in which historical reflection is mixed with the memory and feelings of its inhabitants.

Holy Week in the community of Porcón de Cajamarca is one of the manifestations that reflect the religious syncretism and magic inherent to the Andean being.

The José María Arguedas Theatre Group of Andahuaylas brings scenes of daily life to rural schools in this territory with the intention of reflecting on rural reality and thinking together about the education that is desired.

This documentary was censored by COPROCI (the Film Promotion Commission) of Juan Velasco's government, which argued that it presented a savage view of peasants reenacting a ritual battle to maintain the fertility of the land in the Chiaraje plains (4,700 meters above sea level), in the province of Canas. The production company, without the filmmaker's permission, converted the film into a series of short films; however, a 35mm copy still exists.

Through the testimony of community leader Rosa Dueñas, the film reveals the organizational dynamics of the women of the El Planeta settlement, located on the left bank of the Rímac River in Lima. Rosa, like the other women of El Planeta, is a migrant from Ancash, and we follow her in her organizing activities alongside the women of her neighborhood as they fight for fundamental human rights, such as access to healthcare, food, decent housing, and education.

Victoria Savio came to Peru from Italy to work for the rights of organized domestic workers. Victoria stayed in Peru and continued her life's mission in Cusco, founding Yanapanakusun, a house that promotes the holistic development of domestic workers in Cusco. Victoria's birthday is approaching, and the young workers at Yanapanakusun want to celebrate their Mamacha Victoria.

Ten years after making Women of the Planet, María Barea's film portrays Rosa Dueñas's leadership in the women's grassroots organizing movement in community kitchens, this time as a councilwoman for the Municipality of Lima. The film reflects on the struggle of working-class women in Lima to organize themselves for their livelihood, their autonomy, and to fight against sexism.

Short documentary.