I Will be Murdered
(I Will be Murdered)
Justin Webster | Documentary, Thriller
2013 | 52 minutes | Spain, United Kingdom
I Will Be Murdered is a gripping, edge-of-your seat documentary that portrays the astonishing, real-life story of a lawyer who launched a personal crusade in search of justice, and brought his country to the brink of chaos.
Synopsis
Guatemala, 2009. Wealthy and charismatic lawyer Rodrigo Rosenberg Marzano was shot and killed near his home. A few days later, a YouTube video, in which Rosenberg pronounces his contempt for the situation in his country and its government, is uploaded. The video closes with Rosenberg’s words, “Unfortunately, ladies and gentleman, you are watching this video because I was murdered by the President Álvaro Colom.”
The video quickly went viral and led to a national crisis, rallying massive demonstrations and protests in favor of justice and against then president Álvaro Colom. With streets and squares filled with banners calling for his resignation, Colom called in help from the UN-formed commission against impunity, the CICIG, and high-profile Spanish attorney Carlos Castresana.
There began a brilliant investigation, a journey into Rosenberg’s soul and Guatemala’s hell, that after multiple twists and turns, reached a stunning conclusion.
I Will Be Murdered is a gripping, edge-of-your seat documentary that portrays the astonishing, real-life story of a lawyer who launched a personal crusade in search of justice, and brought his country to the brink of chaos.
Reviews
"Mixing true-crime and Latin American current events, this powerful and intriguing documentary is highly recommended." — C. Cassady, Video Librarian
"A gripping, twisty thriller." — John Dugdale, The Sunday Times
"Astonishing." — GQ
"If you're watching this message, it's because I've been murdered by President Colom. When Guatemalan lawyer Rodrigo Rosenberg was killed by hit men in 2009, it led to a national uproar. Not only had he predicted his own death in a video he'd made days earlier, he'd also j'accused the premier. However, if this documentary starts out like a straightforward political thriller, it gradually turns into something infinitely stranger. A wild, disturbing and haunting film." — The Guardian
"Rosenberg emerges as a genuinely tragic figure, capable of tremendous bravery but also bewildering cowardice. Director Justin Webster follows his story through newsreel and the recollections of family and friends: it's a tense, somber affair, depicting a society still driven by fear, injustice, and desperation." — Time Out London
Citation
Main credits
Webster, Justin (film director)
Ayuso, Sumpta (film producer)
Other credits
Cinematography, Lucas Gath; editor, Simón Hernández, Jim Loomis; music, Camilo Sanabria.
Citation
Cataloging
Pragda subjects
Central America
Communication + Journalism
Criminal Justice
Family
Fascism + Repression
History
Human Rights
International Relations
Latin American Studies
Political Science
Keywords
Clips
Festivals
Cartagena International Film Festival - Best Director Documentary Film
Hot Docs
Havana Film - Best Documentary by non-Latin director
Festival de Cine de Lima
Mostra Internacional de Cine de Sao Paulo Brazil - Special Mention
TallGrass Film Festival - Best Feature Documentary
DIRECTOR: Justin Webster
NATIONALITY: Spain, United Kingdom
YEAR: 2013
GENRE: Documentary, Thriller
LANGUAGE: English; Spanish
COLOR / B&W: Color
GRADE LEVEL: College, Adults
SUBTITLE/CC: AVAILABLE
AUDIO DESCRIPTION: NOT AVAILABLE
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