We can call ourselves the people again

DOCUMENTARY FEATURE FILM (IN DEVELOPMENT)
30 years since the end of the military dictatorship, the promised bliss and better days seemed to be far from reality. An increase in the Santiago transit fare price shattered the stability of the Chilean model and threw millions into the streets to demonstrate their outrage. In the social organization that arose from this anger, the people’s voices can be heard loud and clear, declaring “there’s more of us than you”.

Synopsis

On the afternoon of October 18th, Santiago’s main subway stations close their doors in an attempt to contain the call to massively evade the payment of public transit fares. A certain tension rises in the city and groups of policemen assemble on street corners. Meanwhile, workers and students set off to take part in what would turn out to be the last day of “normality”.
That same night, the president declares a state of emergency and the army takes control of the streets. The government’s response expands the wave of outrage, and by daybreak the chant “Chile has awoken” can be heard nationwide. The transit fare increases are no longer relevant and the people’s demands have broadened, defying all the foundations of the country’s neoliberal model: multinational corporations, government buildings and statues of conquerors fall at the pace of the rebellion. On national television, the president claims that the country is at war, triggering a rise in State terrorism which only fuels the flame of the insurrection.
We can call ourselves the people again accompanies the Chilean awakening and portrays the different voices of the uprising, oscillating from protests in the streets to the first forms of social and territorial organization. This is the portrait of a fractured country coming together in a mutual rage and drive for change. 

A work in progress

In the context of the increase in transit fare evasions led by secondary school students in Santiago, we decided to take to the streets and record these manifestations, without knowing that we would find ourselves in the epicenter of the Chilean insurrection. Our first reaction was to film the contingency from our own territories day by day, capturing different communal meals, first forms of organization, protests, barricades, and a staggering amount of State repression.
Two weeks after the start of the protests and thanks to the help of some companions and social organizations, we were able to travel to a few cities in the south of Chile (Curicó, Concepción, Temuco, Valdivia, Puerto Montt y Ancud), and record the diverse demonstrations and instances of territorial organization in the region, in an attempt to give a decentralized view of this rebellion. 
For this reason, we also felt the need to film the current events in northern Chile, and this way complete the map of this national movement. Thanks to the first part of this collective funding campaign, we were able to travel to Arica, Iquique, Antofagasta, Coquimbo, and La Serena, filming how, almost two months since the 18th of October and despite the stiffening of the government’s stance, the popular uprising and resistance are staying strong. 
Currently, we are still fundraising in order to collectively edit the documentary. With this help, we’ll be able to finish the project as soon as possible, given that our goal is to release the film online and make it available to all, serving as a document for resisting in and critically reflecting upon the ongoing crisis.

Contributions

You can make your contribution to this project in the following bank accounts. Thanks a lot!
IN CHILE
Titular: Sebastián Díaz
Rut: 18.462.850-3
Correo: sabotajecine@gmail.com
Banco: Banco Estado
Cuenta Rut: 18462850
OUTSIDE OF CHILE
paypal.me/colectivosabotaje
If you have any questions, you can contact us at sabotajecine@gmail.com