2001
- Nominees
The jury
nominated three documentaries for the first Dirk
Vandersypen Award. In random order these are:
"El
Chogüi" by Felix Zurita (Nicaragua)
This documentary tells the story of Luis, the son of poor
Mexican farmers. Like so many of his friends, Luis wants to
emigrate to the USA. He is sure he will have a better life
there. He dreams of becoming a successful boxer. Within six
years, Luis' life takes a couple of dramatic turns. El
Chogüi is a powerful story, filmed with great commitment
and empathy. It focuses the attention of the viewer on what
is gradually becoming the war of globalisation.
"Alonso's
Dream" by Danièle Lacourse and Yvan Patry (Canada)
Alonso is a Maya Indian from the Mexican highlands of
Chiapas. On 1 January 1994 thousands of Mayas resort to
arms to demand their right to land. They have had enough of
the years of oppression. They fight for democracy and
justice. After twelve days a cease-fire is announced, but
government troops remain in Chiapas and paramilitary squads
continue to attack Zapatistas and unarmed civilians.
Alonso's Dream tells the story of the Zapatista resistance
via the testimony of Alonso.
"Aqui
No Hay Tren" by Stef Biemans (Netherlands)
There used to be a railway in Nicaragua. In 1993 the
government decided it had to go. All that now remains are
abandoned railway stations and a few forgotten tracks.
Together with his father, who lives and works in Nicaragua,
Stef Biemans follows those tracks. The people who live in
the abandoned railway stations all have their own
remarkable story to tell.
