Child labor may be a thing of the past in developed nations, but as Kief Davidson and Richard Ladkani's harrowing documentary The Devil's Miner illustrates, it's still common in other areas of the world. Personalizing the story brilliantly, the film focuses on two Bolivian brothers, 14-year-old Basilio and 12-year-old Bernardino Vargas, who live with their mother and sister on the slope of a mountain, and work in a small silver mine. The film is largely narrated by the boys, with Basilio taking the lead in describing their impoverished circumstances, fear of mining disasters and lung disease, and hopes for a better future, symbolized by the family's efforts to scrape together the funds to finance Basilio's schooling—partially realized by his taking a job in a larger, even more dangerous mine. Viewers also hear from the boys' mother and the local priest—the latter speaks of the miners' worship of the devil, whom they believe controls the underground world even though the workers also regularly attend mass (Bernardino, who proudly participates for the first time in the miners' dance during a town festival, is frightened by a man dressed as a demon). The Devil's Miner is obviously an activist film (it's connected with an organization dedicated to assisting Bolivian mining youth), but in purely cinematic terms it's exceptionally well made and deeply affecting. DVD extras include an introduction to the film, information on Human Rights Watch, and a fine follow-up featurette documenting a screening in Bolivia 15 months after filming, at which the brothers describe the changes that have occurred in their lives. Highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (F. Swietek)
The Devil's Miner
(2005) 82 min. In Spanish w/English subtitles. DVD: $24.95. First Run Features (avail. from most distributors). Color cover. Volume 21, Issue 5
The Devil's Miner
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