The Children Know
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From the Bolivia series in the Faces of Change collection
by Hubert Smith and Neil Reichline
color, 33 mins, 1974
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The deep division in Andean society between rural and townspeople begins at birth, is perpetuated by the schools and continues throughout life. The film evidences the discrimination faced by the children of the rural and extremely poor campesinos. From different food arrangements at school to healthcare, there is a distinct divide between them and the town-dwelling mestizos.
Evidence of discrimination's effects is unmitigated by the formal Flag Day festival that brings the two groups together with the campesinos urging their own to stand up against the mestizos and stop appearing cowardly before them. A stark portrayal of abject poverty and deep-rooted discimination, The Children Know is an intriguing study in ethnographic filmmaking.
About the Faces of Change collection
This revolutionary series of 26 - 16mm films and videos, funded
by the National Science Foundation, produced by Norman Miller
and documented by some of the finest ethnographic filmmakers
of our time is now available through D.E.R. The films examine
5 cultures selected for the diversity of their geographic location: starting
with the China Coast at sea level and moving up to Taiwan, then
to Afghanistan, Kenya and finally to the mountains of Bolivia.
Each location is examined through 5 themes: Rural Society, Education,
Rural Economy, Women and Beliefs. Detailed instructors notes
are available for an additional $10.00.
other films from the Bolivia series:
Andean Women
Magic & Catholicism
Potato Planters
The Spirit Possession of Alejandro Mamani