The Man We Called Juan Carlos
52 min., closed captioned; Winner, Best in Category, Social Issues, Silver Chris Award, Columbus International Film Festival, 2001; distributed in Canada by Magic Lantern Communications, Ontario and Asterisk Productions, Victoria, B.C.; and in the U.S. by Bullfrog Films (www.bullfrogfilms.com)
Wenceslao Armira was a farmer, teacher, guerilla, priest - and father of two children murdered by death squads during the height of the Guatemalan civil war in 1984. This documentary is the extraordinary story of an "ordinary" Mayan man from the highlands of Guatemala who in unexpected ways affected the lives of the filmmmakers for over 25 years, as they recorded his life and land reform struggles . A very personal story, it explores the intersection of disparate lives, North and South, through coincidence and timing, across borders and history. The life of "Juan Carlos" raises difficult questions about all of our connection to human rights, and social justice, and how we choose to make a difference in the world.
"This sophisticated, troubling film raises important questions about human rights, the personal price of refusing to assent to evil and the responsibility of the 'objective' journalist who bears witness at somebody else's cost."
Stephen Hume, Vancouver Sun"This film is a powerful telling of an inspiring life of generosity and courage in the midst of evil goings-on. A reminder of how important and how costly the struggle for justice is."
Matthew Fox, author, theologian"It avoids all exaggerations and puts the emphasis clearly on the ongoing determination of a courageous man who did what he thought was just."
Ed Broadbent, former president,
International Centre for Human Rights
Produced with the support of: Vision TV, SCN (Saskatchewan) Communications, the Canadian International Development Agency, the Canadian Independent Film and Video Fund, Roger's Documentary Fund, The Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit, the Province of British Columbia, Film Incentive BC