Under Siege
(Bajo fuego)
Sjoerd van Grootheest, Irene Vélez Torres | Documentary
2020 | 86 minutes | Colombia
Under Siege reveals the devastating consequences of government policies instructing cocaleros to destroy their coca crops as part of the "war on drugs."
Synopsis
A powerful documentary capturing the unraveling of peace for coca-growing peasants, known as cocaleros, in southwest Colombia. Set against the backdrop of the 2016 peace agreement, the film provides an intimate, harrowing look at their lives over three years as they navigate broken promises, economic hardship, and escalating violence.
Through the lens of the cocaleros, Under Siege reveals the devastating consequences of government policies instructing them to destroy their coca crops as part of the ""war on drugs."" Families who transitioned to alternative crops face severe economic difficulties, while armed groups seize control of their region, perpetuating cycles of terror and instability.
The film combines raw personal stories with broader political commentary, shedding light on how systemic failures have left many Colombians trapped in a state of ongoing conflict. It is a poignant reminder that for many in Colombia's southwest, the war continues despite promises of reconciliation.
Reviews
“Filmed over three years between 2017 and 2019, "Bajo Fuego" is an engaging, enraging portrait of a community’s struggle against state abandonment, economic collapse, and a rising tide of violence.” – Will Huddleston, Latin American Bureau
Citation
Coming soon.
Cataloging
A MARC record for this title is not available yet.
Pragda subjects
Activism
Agriculture + Food
Human Rights
Indigenous Peoples
Latin American Studies
South America
Keywords
Clips
Festivals
Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival; Human Rights Watch Film Festival; SANFICI Santander International Film Festival; Cali International Film Festival
DIRECTOR: Sjoerd van Grootheest, Irene Vélez Torres
NATIONALITY: Colombia
YEAR: 2020
GENRE: Documentary
LANGUAGE: Spanish
COLOR / B&W: Color
GRADE LEVEL: Middle School, High School, College, Adult
SUBTITLE/CC: AVAILABLE
AUDIO DESCRIPTION: NOT AVAILABLE
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