Update: A huge thanks to all our backers for their extremely generous contributions towards this film. I've been blown away by the amount of support, and that the target was hit in such a short time. It's very heartening to realise what can be achieved when people come together.
Synopsis
This film will tell the story of the first ever case to be brought in the UK against a British company for human rights abuses committed abroad. This year, lawyers representing claimants in Peru are taking British mining company Monterrico Metals to court over allegations of torture. The proposed film will tell the story through the claimants, starting in their homes in Peru and then following their journey to London for the hearing of the case in October.
Background
In 2003, UK-based company Monterrico Metals obtained concessions from the Peruvian government to mine for copper at the Rio Blanco site. If built, the open pit mine, which is situated over important river sources, could pollute an entire region of Peru and destroy the livelihoods of half a million people, 2% of the country’s population.
The vast majority of locals are against the project and have over the last seven years tried, without success, to convince the Peruvian government to cancel the project. In July 2005, up to 15,000 locals marched to the mine site, the police suppressing the demonstration. Twenty-nine demonstrators including two women were held at the mine site and tortured by Monterrico’s private security guards for three days. Images of the torture were released in 2008, making headline news around the world and drawing comparisons to the infamous Abu Ghraib torture photos released in 2006. Proceedings were started against Monterrico Metals in London on behalf of 32 torture victims in 2009.
The case brought in Peruvian courts against the mining company for the 2005 tortures has been buried and protestors against the mine have been constantly met with criminalisation, police violence, propaganda aimed at defamation and accusations of terrorism.
The case is due to be heard in London in October 2011. A strong ruling could set an extremely important precedent in the world of business and human rights.
About the Director
I have made award-winning work about this particular case and have been filming in the region for 7 years. I have a detailed knowledge of and sensitivity to both the facts and the people involved, also the region and its history. Crucially, I am personally known and trusted by the claimants in Peru.
2nd December, a short film about the 2009 police attack on the village of Cajas Canchaque that left two farmers dead.
My award winning 2009 film, Laguna Negra, about the 2005 tortures.
About Mosaic Films
Mosaic is an award-winning production company known for, amongst other things, its international documentaries which focus on social issues. Led by BAFTA award winning filmmaker and producer, Andy Glynne, Mosaic is committed to using film to help make a difference - both here in the UK and around the world. For more info see www.mosaicfilms.com
The owner of this project has not made any updates yet. FR
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