FILM ARCHIVE.
Film is potentially, one of the first mediums that come to people's minds when considering representations of, and reactions to human rights abuses. Documentary film, is famous for being an educative story telling tool, with the potential to incite people towards action. The human rights film however, can have a variety of approaches. It has taken many forms and will continue to be an inspirational tool for telling stories of past atrocities, and when contextualized in history accompanied by education, with delineated steps for action, it can be a tool for creating positive peace- an education that prevents recurances of human rights abuses for future generations.
GUATEMALA.
Pamela Yates is a documentary filmmaker from the United States. She has covered issues of human rights throughout her career, with a special focus on the case of the Guatemalan genocide. her films work to cover the depth and complexities of the issues, they do not shy away from length for the sake of thoroughness. They incorporate local voices, and the demonstrate the potentials for justice after mass atrocity. Most significantly, Pamela's films are "packaged" in a way that make them actionable resources, they come with teaching guides, and connections to resources which seek to alleviate trauma after human rights abuses. Some of Pamela's work on guatemala include When Mountains Tremble (1983), Grenito: How to Nail a Dictator (2011), and 500 years (2017).
GUATEMALA.
Unlocking Silent Histories is a non-profit organization, that centers local Guatemalan and Indigenous Guatemalan youth voices through media. The work that this organization does can be described as participatory media. Media, through the lenses of those traditionally marginalized by the mainstream, or those who are often represented without having voice in the modes of representation. USH puts cameras in the hands of youth, and teach them the skills needed to create media. From there, youth explore the creation of memory and representation from their own perspectives.
