Peteyem. Memories of a kawesqar in New York

Partager :

Note of intent

The story of Carlos, is the story of a person who was drawn away from his original path having to change his homeland and identity, and who could meet again with his inner self in a different culture, language and context at the other end of American continent. In the film, we want to portray the perspective of a Kawésqar who has finally met the path of his own original identity.

Synopsis

Peteyem is one of the only 8 native Kawésqar survivors, declared a “Living Human Treasure” by UNESCO. He was born in Puerto Edén, Chile, on an unspecified date. Just a few months later, his parents died in a canoe accident. Subsequently, he was adopted by the manager of a radio station and his wife, who named him Cárlos Edén. When his adoptive mother died, Carlos decided to start traveling around the country. Due to his association with the MIR, he was persecuted by the Chilean Armed Forces. In 1978, he scaped to Argentina where he was finally arrested and tortured on suspicion of being a Chilean spy during the Argentine-Chilean Conflict. As the World Cup was held in Argentina, he was visited by international observers and transferred to the U.S. as a political refugee.

© Waia Films

Visual concept

The film’s proposal will be oriented to the observational record, using a stabilized camera that will accompany our protagonist throughout the story. We also plan to use archival material, such as film pieces from the Kawésqar Community and Carlos’ own personal records from his years of indigenous activism as well as from the United Nations forums in which he has participated. The voiceover of his story will be a fundamental piece for the construction of his memories.