Meanders

The Guaviare River meanders for miles and miles through central and eastern Colombia. Along its banks are thickly forested areas, farms and villages where the indigenous population and the colonists who came later live side by side. This film follows the course of the river and captures daily life in the villages. Residents talk about how they make a life for themselves and provide their opinion on the future of their country. A lot has happened in the past few decades: the interior was ravaged by violent conflicts between paramilitaries, guerillas and the government army, not to mention the destructive consequences of the drug trade. Armed conflict and drugs have had a disastrous effect on the economic situation and strong repercussions on the lives of the locals. Many have fallen victim to the violence, and there is still a great deal of fear and mutual distrust. Under pressure from rich traders, farmers started growing coca plants, but then they lost their land when government planes poisoned the fields. Nonetheless, there is a ray of hope in the stories, as people talk of how they work together to put the fear and suspicion behind them and build a secure future for their children.