|
DVD:
"¡No Volveran!"
From the makers of the Hands
Off
Venezuela film 'Solidarity',
and the Sanitarios Maracay short film series, comes 'No
Volverán - The Venezuelan Revolution Now', an exciting
feature length documentary about the Venezuelan Revolution. In this
in-depth investigation the film makers take us on a journey through the
fervor of the Presidential Elections in December 2006, traveling deep
into the shanty towns (barrios), and to several
factories under workers' control, to find out why there is a movement
to over-through Capitalism, what Socialism of the 21st Century is, and
how it is changing people's lives. Community activists show us around
their neighborhoods in the barrios to see first
hand how difficult life is for the urban poor. Residents tell us how
they used to struggle daily against poverty, crime and police
brutality. They felt abandoned by previous governments, and when they
tried to organise they were often oppressed. But life here has clearly
changed. We meet Guadalupe, a member of staff at a new community
centre, which was formally a police station and a place of repression.
She tells us the amazing story of how the surrounding residents joined
together, evicted the police force and occupied the building. After a
long struggle, with the help of a revolutionary city mayor, they took
it over and converted it into their own radio station with education
and training facilities. Oscar Negrin along with other activists
explain to us how much of this is now possible due to a new
revolutionary form of participatory democracy; that of the Communal
Councils.
The film makers also meet
the
international delegation of Hands Off Venezuela members, and travel
with them to several factories including Sanitarios Maracay, a ceramics
factory under workers' control. It is here where we embark on a
touching journey with these brave workers in their campaign for full
nationalisation under workers' control. We attend one of their workers'
assemblies, where we learn more about how the workers take decisions,
and how they organise collectively. We also learn more about how they
were exploited by the old boss, a supporter of the 2002 coup, who is
trying to sabotage their attempt to run the factory on their own. Their
campaign for full nationalisation is the first of its kind in
Venezuela, and requires concerted effort. We follow the workers to
Caracas for a dramatic demonstration that marches to parliament and the
presidential palace. As it rolls through the smoky streets of Caracas,
the demonstration is met by applause from surrounding street-side
workers excited by the militancy of the march. It culminates at
parliament with a huge crowd of cheering workers that forces members of
parliament out to meet Sanitarios Maracay to discuss their campaign. An
amazing spectacle.
Following these workers
and others, the film takes us on a journey
through the politics of past and present. Francisco Rivero, National
Director of Ideology of the Movement for Direct Democracy, takes us
through the different stages of the revolution, and explains that
Socialism of the 21st century is a complete break from many of the
previous so-called socialist ideologies. These were run from above by
bureaucracies. Socialism of the 21st century is democratic socialism,
where political power is transferred to the common people. Here
ordinary working people must take over the running of society.
Also covering alternative
community run media like CatiaTV, and Radio
Negro Primero, through to the social projects called Missions, the film
helps us to explain why Venezuela has become a symbol of liberation for
those in struggle around the world.
With fantastic footage of
the elections, demonstrations and the people
and streets of Caracas, the revolution is brought to our screens in a
rich tapestry of action and interview that gives us real insight into
the process taking place, and the challenges that lie ahead. A must
see!
*** $10 from
the sale of each DVD sold at solidarity price will be donated to FRETECO
(The Revolutionary Front of Workers in Factories
Occupied and under Co-management ***
|
$10
Donation for No Volveran DVD
|
$20 Solidarity
Donation for No Volveran DVD
|
|