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			THE DEVIL'S MINER

Tell us what you think about THE DEVIL'S MINER.

Selected submissions will be posted here, so check back regularly and join the discussion.

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06/30/2009
Leticia

I watched the film and it opened my eyes to what is really important. I fast-forward the film, so I can find out how to help those children. I pray to God so he can help those people and send missionaries to teach them about Jesus. I went to PBS and find out Bernardino and his bother are going to school. I was happy to read that. I'll make my contribution and thank God, because he heard my prayers. I wish my nieces and nephews can see this film and see that they are privilege to go to school.

Thank you for making this film

04/26/2009
Emma
Toronto, Ontario, Canada

I became aware of this film through our Tour Leader when I went to South
America in 2007. I have been to one of the mines in Potosi, one of the
better one I might say. I tried to chew the coca leaves just as the miners did. Spent a few hours down in the mine, gave an offering to "El Tio". My heart jumped out of my chest when I heard several explosions while I was done there, I crawled through the dusty and cramped tunnels, tried my hand at manually drilling through the rocks to get a dynamite stick in and tried to push the wheelbarrow the miners push and run with in the tunnels. I counted that as an "experience" as part of my travels. This is real life for thousands of adults and children.

I will make sure that I do my part in raising awareness for the children and for all those who work in the silver mines.

It's a great film, quite moving and very powerful.

04/25/2008

i just saw the film in the weekend. i saw the video with my brothers. after watching the video i was just heartbroken it is so sad to see children working in those conditons. but that is the reality in some contries. it is sad to see how the inocence of these children is taken away. but they should be so proud. and i have learned that we should think about others and just about us.

02/08/2008

Bluefield, WV

I enjoyed the film "American Made" with the generational conflicts. However, I take issue with the premise that Americans would refuse to stop to help because of the ethnic implications. I live in a rural area and see amazing acts of generosity everyday by people helping total strangers of any race or background who are obviously in distress. You might get one or two who would pass by but what I've seen is actually several people will stop to help. The setting of a desert locale is even more an area where people will always stop to help or radio to police to come help for a stranded motorist. The danger is too great and people are too aware to let a difference of culture be a hindrance to rescue. The film was well made but is not a fair representation of the American people's willingness to help. I enjoy the Independent Lens presentations very much.

10/03/2007
Lillian
Folsom, CA

The story of Basilio and Bernardino's life in the mines has touched my heart so much that it has changed the way I see my life. As I look into Basilio and Bernardino's eyes, I saw my sons' eyes. As I watched them play, I saw my sons' play. They even shared the same disappointment of not having a father in their life and they also shared the same dreams for their future. Unfortunately, Basilio and Bernardino were living a life of two realities - that of a child and that of an adult. Their mother, Manuelita Vargas, and I share the same worries for our sons. We share the same proud look on our face as they head off to school. We both wish only the best for our boys. Our lives are so different, and yet they are same. I had the opportunity to see their life story and it has changed and inspired me to help other families like them make their childrens' dreams come true. If I accomplish anything in this life, I would like to have accomplished that. Basilio and Bernardino's life has touch me more than I could have imagined. Thank you for this gift!

09/24/2007

Baltimore, MD

It brought me to tears...

I've done my fair share of traveling and just spent the summer in western South America. One sees the extreme poverty and doesn't get a chance to live it like I did while watching this film.

While I lived in an area in the city that the taxistas were afraid to drive into at night while there, it doesn't begin to compare. No doubt I was on the poor side of town, but I could never truly know the life. However, I felt it in my heart today.

Thank you for making such a moving film. Saludos y gracias por su película. Aunque lloré... Mis estudiantes deberían verla. No tienen ninguna idea...

All children deserve the right to go to school. However, children do leave to go to work to help out; it happens here too. Do we then say that one should attend school until a certain age like here in the States? I don't know.

What would happen to a family like Basilio's if he hadn't worked without the focus that this film has brought upon them? I'm sure that we all know the
answer to this question: they would have continued working in the mine or they wouldn't have eaten.

09/24/2007

Boerne, TX, USA

I watched "The Devil's Miner" last night, 09/15/07, on PBS and have not been able to get it out of my mind. Am SO glad to see on your "update" site that this family is now out of the mining business and on the way up in life.

I do NOT think you have overstepped your objectivity as filmmakers - in fact, you have caused many people to have eyes opened as to what is going on in at least one small section of this world. And, you're bringing the means to get help to these people is most commendable.

I am not for government being in control of every factor of a person's life; however, it appears that something has to be done in order to bring some decency and life expectancy to hard-working populace.

Thank you for this fine documentary. (I have thought about how difficult it must have been for your cameramen and others to shoot this under those conditions.)

06/12/2006
Albert Poledri, Jr.
apoledri@gmail.com
Florida

I was in Potosi over a dozen times in the past 4 years, up in the mines...and it's all true. It is what it is.

Richard Stebor
Holiday, FL

I was deeply moved by the story of how the Vargas family struggled to survive and the young boys having to go into the mines. My jaw dropped open in disbelief as I watched Basilio explain all the dangers and hardships that were part of living on that desolate mountain. Being touched personally, I'm so glad to hear the family has been helped to have a better life. It makes my day!

Amanda
Killeen, Texas

I enjoyed watching this documentary. It inspired me to not worry about my petty problems of whether or not to trade in my car, and what to do about my work and college. I have so much and yet in my eyes, I tend to see it as so little. I'm sadden to say that it took watching this film for me to realize that there are far more people in the world doing without in their lives. I should stop worrying about petty things and ask God to show me ways to help families like his. I am 23 years old and I have had no trouble in my life like this young man has had. He is such an inspiration. I wish him and his family all the best. I would like to tell him thank you for making me realize how selfish I really am, and making me aware of it so that I may change my ways.

Leslie Cox
Smyrna, Tennessee

As filmmakers, Davidson and Ladkani couldn't POSSIBLY be "stepping over the line" in choosing to help their fellow human beings. Why should a filmmaker's objectives somehow forbid helping anyone, anywhere? The depth and quality of this documentary only proved that the hearts of its makers were--and are, definitely where they should be. There are countless places and people on this earth who are in grave need of truth-telling about their plights, and the Vargas boys, their family and fellow miners are no exception.

Tia Thomas

What a sobering film this was! Extreme poverty exists all around the globe but it is especially difficult when you feel it almost "first hand" through a film such as this one. In the absence of a father, a little boy's courage and love for his family forces him to become a man working in unforgivable conditions. In our comfy U.S. world, most of us have no clue what it means to work just to "survive." A ten year old child (Basilio started when he was 10)should never be subjected to these conditions. A 10 year old child should never live in fear of the devil taking his life and eating his soul nor be preoccupied with bleeding lungs and never growing up. All very easy for me to say as I am unable to comprehend that child's reality. I was particularly impressed with Basilio's maturity and sense of self. While his pain and suffering where evident, he also had great fortitude and the love for his family was obvious. It was nice to see he could also find his smile often. He wants to be a teacher when he grows up. He will be a great one! I loved your film. I cried a lot. Thanks for reaching out and keeping me in check... P.S. - Please continue to do what you can for these children.

Janet Sawyer
Walterboro, SC

What a heart-wrenching show! What wonderful children they are with goals in mind for their life. Their desperate poverty has not torn their family apart; the mother is so caring and the children so loving. The families in the US should be so lucky to have the kind of love that sustains these children and mother. Was glad to read the update that all the children are in school and the boys no longer will be miners. One concern: Does the excessive ingestion of cocoa leaves have adverse effects later in life? Answers to your questions: 1. Child labor helped build this country and probably all countries. I think the US has gone overboard in not allowing children to work sooner; they would appreciate an education if that were the case. Twelve year olds and up are able to perform many tasks which can develop their self-esteem and confidence. But dangerous jobs are certainly out! 2. The filmmakers responded quite correctly. How could anyone be that personally involved and not feel compassion and want to do something? Doing the right thing is never wrong. You may get in trouble for it but that's the price of goodness. 3. The government already funds education in this country ... poorly. In a perfect world, college would funded also. It's money well invested to produce an educated populace.

toledo, ohio

The Devils Miner is eloquent in its straightforwardness. The filmmakers' deftness in presenting a story without playing on your heartstrings is remarkable. I wish I could say the same about your story on Chavez Ravine. Braulio's persona shines brighter than the darkness that surrounds him. The filmmakers' "use of the first person" . . . added authenticity and realism.

Jerry Ragan

wow!! The film just blew me away. What great dignity it showed in the midst of terrible poverty. I have more than enough. I'm long overdue in sharing my over abundance with the Vargas families of the world. Thanks for a new vision.

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