Jorge Sanjinés

Jorge Sanjinés is a Bolivian film director, screenwriter, producer, and political activist. He is renowned for his social and political activism, as well as his unique filmmaking style. Sanjinés has been referred to as the father of modern Bolivian cinema, having made a number of groundbreaking films which have had an immense influence on Latin American cinema.

Sanjinés was born in La Paz, Bolivia in 1936. He began his career as a film critic before attending the Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia in Rome, where he studied film direction. After returning to Bolivia, Sanjinés joined the Grupo Ukamau, a collective of filmmakers and activists who sought to create films which depicted the reality of the Bolivian people and to use film to bring about social change.

Sanjinés’ first feature film, Blood of the Condor (1969), was a critical and commercial success and helped to establish Bolivian cinema on the international stage. The film, which tells the story of a rural Bolivian community being forcibly sterilized by a foreign aid agency, was praised for its bold political message and unique visual style.

Over the course of his career, Sanjinés has written, directed, and produced numerous feature films. His films often center on issues of political and social justice, and reflect a deep commitment to the struggles of the Bolivian people. He has also made several documentaries, including The Burning of Chaco (1979), which examines the devastation of the Chaco War, and his most recent work, The Battle of the Water (2009), which explores the impact of the privatization of water resources in Bolivia.

In addition to his filmmaking, Sanjinés has been an active political activist, and has been involved in a number of social movements, including the campaign for the rights of Bolivia’s indigenous peoples. He is also a strong advocate for the protection of the environment, and has campaigned against the exploitation of natural resources by multinational corporations.

Sanjinés’ films have earned him numerous awards, including a Goya Award for Best Hispanic Film for Blood of the Condor (1971), and the Wangari Maathai Prize for his activism in 2014. He is widely regarded as one of Latin America’s most groundbreaking filmmakers, and his influence on the region’s cinematic landscape is undeniable. His films continue to inspire new generations of filmmakers, and his legacy as a filmmaker and activist