Minerita

This short addresses the violence and danger that are part of everyday life for women and girls who live near the Potosi mine in Bolivia. Women share how they try to protect themselves from domestic violence, sexual violence, and the violence of working in the mines. The film provides insight into the brutal working conditions as well as the harsh physical and social climate that females face in this community. In some ways, this film is reminiscent of The Devil's Miner, except that the format is different and the emphasis is on women. The subjects are represented in a respectful manner, and they are allowed to speak for themselves. The setting is not romanticized, nor is it graphic even though some of the issues discussed are quite disturbing. The film is a bit disjointed, much like the lives of the people portrayed. There are no overt social or political messages in the film, although viewers might be encouraged to learn more about what created such social and economic conditions.