109 minutes / Color
Spanish / English subtitles
Release: 2024
Copyright: 2023
The White Guard exposes the violence orchestrated by multinational companies, in collusion with organized crime and the Mexican government, to seize land and exploit natural resources. Behind barbed wire fences, Mexican forests, rivers and mountains fall into the hands of private companies. These regions become separate universes where the new masters and their mercenaries terrorize people into silence. Like other farmers from across the country, Roberto de la Rosa now walks on pathways riddled with booby traps. In recent years, Mexico has seen the highest number of assassinated land defenders. The White Guard gives voice to the courageous land defenders and their families who dare to speak out about this new form of colonialism that is decimating Mexican villages and landscapes with impunity.
"Highly recommended. ... Highly relevant for courses in Environmental Humanities, Latin American Studies, Indigenous Studies, Political Ecology, and Media Studies. Academic librarians building collections that support teaching with film or classes focused on global resistance movements, colonialism, or community activism will find this documentary to be a great tool for sparking discussion." - Video Librarian
Elie, Julien (film director)
Elie, Julien (screenwriter)
Dupuis-Pierre, Audrey-Ann (film producer)
Cinematography, Ernesto Pardo; editing, Xi Feng; music, Mimi Allard.
Selected Accolades