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Deep Dive: 500 Years (2017)

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500 Years
500 Years: Life in Resistance is a documentary directed by Pamela Yates that focuses on the trial of Guatemalan dictator Efraín Ríos Montt for genocide against the indigenous Maya population during the 1980s. The film captures the legal proceedings and the subsequent popular uprising that led to the removal of President Otto Perez Molina. It provides a detailed account of the historical context and the impact of these events on the Guatemalan society. The film is part of a trilogy that includes When the Mountains Tremble and Granito: How to Nail a Dictator. It features the music of indigenous Guatemalan musician Sara Curruchich, adding cultural depth to the narrative. The documentary has been screened at notable film festivals, including Sundance and the Seattle International Film Festival, emphasizing its significance in the realm of human rights and historical documentation.

Why Watch

  • •See the trial of Efraín Ríos Montt for genocide.
  • •Meet indigenous musician Sara Curruchich through the soundtrack.
  • •Follow the uprising that led to President Otto Perez Molina's downfall.

Did You Know

•Efraín Ríos Montt was tried for genocide against the Maya in the 1980s.
•The film is part of a trilogy that includes two other films.
•It was screened at the Sundance and London Human Rights Watch Film Festivals.

Perfect For

Guatemalan historyHuman rights advocacyIndigenous music