X

La Buena Vida (The Good Life)

By John Ahni Schertow

The village of Tamaquito lies in the forests of Colombia. Here, nature provides the people with everything they need. But the Wayúu community’s way of life is being destroyed by the vast and rapidly growing El Cerrejón coal mine. Determined to save his community from forced displacement, young and charismatic leader Jairo Fuentes sets out to negotiate with the mine’s operators. They’re backed by powerful global resources companies such as Glencore, Anglo American and BHP Billiton, and communicating with their representatives isn’t easy. The villagers are promised the blessings of progress, but the Wayúu place no value on modern, electrified houses – on the so-called better life. Instead, they embark on a fight to save their life in the forest, which soon becomes a fight to survive.

La Buena Vida – The Good Life is the story of the Wayúu community, told against a global backdrop of rising energy consumption being driven by the pursuit of growth and affluence.

La Buena Vida – The Good Life

  • Written, Directed and Produced by: Jens Schanze
  • Co-producer: Frank Matter
  • Director of Photography: Börres Weiffenbach
  • Editor: Bernd Euscher
  • Production: Mascha Film, Soap Factory
  • Website: www.thegoodlife-film.com