(Bolivia/Japan/USA, 2008, 102 min., Quechua w/ES)
Director: Toshifumi Matsushita
On Bolivia's inland salt sea (the Salar de Uyuni), 13-year-old Kunturi and his family cut bricks of salt by hand to barter for goods. The Quecha people have lived and worked close to the land for centuries (“Pachamama” means Mother Earth) – not an easy life, but one rich with friends and family. When Kunturi's grandmother falls ill, his father takes his son on the almost three-month journey along the salt trail, or Ruta de la Sal, their first stop the Potosi mine to find a friend's long-absent father. As the story unfolds and tragedy and joy commingle, Kunturi is forced to confront the complexities of adult life – including death, suffering and, most sweetly and powerfully of all, first love.
Note: this film includes documentary footage of an animal sacrifice
