Film Archive

Jahr

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What Remains on the Way

Lo que queda en el camino
Jakob Krese, Danilo do Carmo
Competition for the Audience Award 2021
Documentary Film
Brazil,
Germany,
Mexico
2021
93 minutes
Spanish
Subtitles: 
German Subtitles for deaf and hard-of-hearing, English

In 2018, thousands of people from Latin America set out together, fleeing from a lack of perspective, poverty and violence to the U.S. Among them Lilian, a single mother from Guatemala, who found the courage to leave her violent husband. The caravan was her only chance to achieve this act of strength. Nevertheless: 4,000 kilometres with four small children, walking, hitchhiking and travelling north on “La Bestia”, the freight train, are still extremely perilous.

The film contrasts the media coverage with a sensitive view that deliberately focuses on one family. It registers inconceivable hardships, but also great helpfulness, Lilian’s power of endurance and her ability to make the exertions seem like an adventure trip for her children – at least occasionally. Despite this lightness, though, the struggle remains as present as the fact that the US is simultaneously building a wall to prevent anyone from crossing the border. When Lilian and her children reach the border after weeks of fear, she breaks down. Suddenly the question arises whether her goal is really this rich country. Isn’t it rather about finally standing up to male dominance and traditional gender roles? It’s very obvious that one thing remained on Lilian’s arduous way: Fear has yielded to a new self-confidence.
Luc-Carolin Ziemann

Credits DOK Leipzig Logo

Director
Jakob Krese, Danilo do Carmo
Cinematographer
Arne Büttner, Danilo do Carmo
Editor
Sofia A. Machado
Producer
Annika Mayer
Co-Producer
Bruna Epiphanio
Winner of: Honourable Mention (in the frames of the DEFA Sponsoring Prize)