Ep 3. Granito: How to Nail a Dictator

Granito: How to Nail a Dictator is the third episode of the twenty-fifth season of the documentary series POV. The episode explores the impact of a film, Granito, on the trial of former Guatemalan dictator Efraín Ríos Montt, who was accused of genocide and crimes against humanity.

The film Granito was created in 2011 by Pamela Yates, who had previously made a documentary called When the Mountains Tremble in the 1980s, which exposed the atrocities being committed by the Guatemalan government against their own people. Yates had documented the story of a Mayan woman named Rigoberta Menchú, who won the Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts in promoting indigenous rights and social justice.

In Granito, Yates revisits her original footage from When the Mountains Tremble and interweaves it with new footage that shows how that information had been used in the prosecution of Ríos Montt. The film also includes interviews with other human rights activists and survivors of the violence that was perpetrated during Ríos Montt's rule.

The episode of POV explores how the screening of Granito for the prosecution team in the Ríos Montt trial was a major turning point in the case. The film provided crucial evidence that was used to convict Ríos Montt of genocide and crimes against humanity. The episode delves into the background of the trial, including the efforts of activists who had been working for decades to bring those responsible for the violence in Guatemala to justice.

The episode also explores the broader context of the trial and the impact it had on the country of Guatemala. The Guatemalan government had long denied the atrocities committed during Ríos Montt's rule, and the trial provided the first substantive acknowledgement of the violence that had occurred. The episode examines the emotional impact the trial had on survivors and their families, who had long been denied justice.

Finally, the episode explores the role of art and storytelling in social justice movements. Through the example of Granito, the documentary illustrates how storytelling and film can be powerful tools for reminding people of their history and inspiring them to take action. The episode examines the impact that the film had on the trial and on the broader movement for justice in Guatemala.

Overall, the episode of POV provides a compelling story of how one film, Granito, played a crucial role in securing justice for survivors of the violence in Guatemala. Through interviews with human rights activists, survivors, and lawyers involved in the case, the episode provides a detailed look at the trial and its broader impact in Guatemala. The episode also explores the power of storytelling and art in social justice movements, making it a must-watch for anyone interested in the intersection of film and activism.