GUANAPE SUR
documentary
Italien, 2010
Beta SP, 23 Min. (OmeU)
by Janos Richter
6. December
Topkino
9.00 p.m. / Kleiner Saal
A barren rocky island off the coast of Peru. No soil, no water, but hundreds of thousands of birds, which the island serves as a nesting ground. One of the peculiarities of island life: for ten years only two guards have lived on Guañape Sur. In the eleventh year, however, 200 workers arrive to collect the excrement of birds. This dried excrement is a caustic mixture of chemical compounds which are used for the production of dynamite. János Richter shows in stunning images the battle of rights that has become the health-hazardous harvest of "guano".
Sterling Award for Best Short Film (Silverdocs, USA 2011)
Best documentary (River FF, Italy, 2011)
Best short documentary (Monterrey FF, Mexico, 2011)
Special mention (San Sebastian IFF, Spain, 2011)
Best documentary (Sapporo Short Fest, Japan)