“Switch off” is a tale about a usurped nation, about a forgotten genocide, about globalization, about one river.
The Biobío is one of the longest rivers in Chile, having its source in the Andes and flowing into the Pacific Ocean. This river has an enormous ecological value as well as a great historical and political value too. During the Spanish occupation the Biobío was a natural frontier against the enemy. From the Biobío down, the Spanish were unable to subjugate the original inhabitants, the Pehuenche-Mapuche indigenous peoples.
In 1997 the Spanish hydro-electric company ENDESA decided to build a dam in the Biobío River to form the Ralco hydroelectric power station. From the beginning, the Mapuches made their opposition clear, seeking protection under indigenous law. ENDESA, which up to that time was a public Spanish company, was privatized by the government of José María Aznar and became an ever increasing power, using their influence to move ahead with the dam.
In May, 2004, the flooding of the Ralco valley started and 70 indigenous families
were displaced and "invited to live in the high mountains" at a height of 2,000 meters.
Although they have one of the world’s largest producer’s of electricity at their feet, they have been without electricity for over three years, using candles for lighting.
Mapuche spokespeople who have denounced the situation of their brothers have been persecuted and convicted by the Chilean courts, using anti-terrorist laws developed under Pinochet, although none have ever been found in possession of a firearm or other weapons. The basic proof used to convict these indigenous leaders were faceless witnesses, wearing hoods and speaking in distorted voices during the trails. Not even the defense lawyers know their identity.
The UN Special Reporter, Mr. Rodolfo Stavenhagen, stated that there was a human rights violation in the construction of the Ralco hydro-electric power station in the Upper Biobío in the Andes. The ARCIS University in Chile described the scheme as genocide against the Pehuenche-Mapuche indigenous peoples.
“A classic confrontation between the weak and strong in which the strong, the impersonal forces of globalisation, will no be stopped” THE NEW YORK TIMES - JUNE 2006
“ One of the most well crafted movies is Manel Mayol’s ”Switch Off”. Alternating between
powerful close-ups interwiews and mejestic landscapes of Chile‘s Ralco Valley” INDIEWIRE - NOVEMBER 2006
“EXQUISITELY CRAFTED AND INCISIVE, SWITCH OFF IS AN IMPASSIONED PLEA AGAINST GLOBALIZATION ” KAREN TISCH, PROGRAMMER - HOT DOCS, TORONTO APRIL 2005
“Switch Off” relates this recent history in highly texured way. The Nation - June 2006
“Documental demoledor” Fotogramas, Mayo 2006
”Switch Off is high drama” Filmjournal, Julio 2006
“Manel Mayol demuestra imaginación...ironía” El País, 2006
“ONE OF THE MOST CONTROVERSIAL DOCUMENTARIES OF THE YEAR.”
MARCELA RESTOM - LATERAL MAGAZINE , NOVEMBER 2005 – BARCELONA
“A TOP CLASS POLITICAL DOCUMENTARY!” JACOB KROGH, PROGRAMMER - CPH:DOX, NOVEMBER 2005 – COPENHAGEN
“... el filme resulta muy sugerente. Tiene un tempo cinematografico perfecto”
Quin Casas, El Periódico, Abril 2006
“El documental es incendiario y demoledor” Cinemania, Mayo 2006
Awards
Winner - Best Film, ECOCINEMA, ATHENS 2005
Winner - Best Film, Planet in Focus, 2005
Screenings
Over thirty international festival screenings including: Hot Docs, IDFA, São Paulo International Film Festival, Latin American Film Festival, London, Amnesty International, and more.
Price:
Institutional: $275.00
Rental and Festival Screening: Please contact us.