Watch Cerro Rico - The Silver Mountain

Cerro Rico - The Silver Mountain is a gripping historical documentary film about the story of the Cerro Rico, a mountain in Bolivia that has been mined for silver for over 500 years. The film, released in 2015, follows the lives of three miners: Guillermo Cruz, Grover Isaac Farfan Ortega and Raul Cruz, as they work in the dangerous and challenging environment of this historic silver mine.

The movie is grounded in the historical backdrop of the Bolivian silver mining industry, which was dominated by Spanish colonizers until the 19th century. The Cerro Rico is a symbol of Bolivia's past and the exploitation of indigenous people who worked under brutal conditions in the mines. Despite the fact that the mine has been in operation for over 500 years, the conditions have changed very little for the miners who work there today. This documentary brings to light the struggles and challenges of those who continue to work in these mines and the price they pay for silver that is extracted from the earth.

The film features interviews with the three miners who narrate their own stories, detailing their experiences working in the mine. We learn about the dangers and health hazards they face every day, from cave-ins to the inhalation of toxic dust. We also get a glimpse into their personal lives and the impact that their work in the mines has on their families.

One of the miners, Guillermo Cruz, is a father of three who has worked in the Cerro Rico for over 20 years. He is a hard-working and dedicated miner who does not complain about the difficult working conditions. He hopes that his children will not have to follow in his footsteps, but at the same time, he is proud of his work and of his contributions to Bolivia's economy.

The second miner, Grover Isaac Farfan Ortega, is a young man who has been working in the mine for only two years. He is enthusiastic about his job and optimistic about his future, despite the danger and constant threat to his health. He is one of the few young people who still choose to work in the mine rather than leave Potosi, the region where the Cerro Rico is located, in search of better opportunities.

The third miner, Raul Cruz, is a man who has worked in the mine since he was a child. He has seen many of his colleagues and friends die or become disabled as a result of accidents in the mine, and he believes that his life is at great risk every day that he enters the mine. Despite this, he continues to work in the mine because he has no other option.

The film also features some stunning cinematography of the Cerro Rico and the surrounding landscapes. The directors, Armin Thalhammer and Andi Pek, capture the beauty of the Potosi region and the harshness of the mine simultaneously. They also use several interviews and archival footage to provide a historical context to the story.

Overall, Cerro Rico - The Silver Mountain is a poignant and authentic depiction of the lives of the miners who continue to work in one of the most dangerous and challenging environments in the world. It offers a powerful insight into the human cost of silver extraction, and the challenges faced by those who choose to work in the mines. The movie is a must-see for anyone interested in the history of mining, indigenous rights, or social justice.

Cerro Rico - The Silver Mountain is a 2015 documentary with a runtime of 31 minutes.