There are fewer stages bigger than the annual South by Southwest (SXSW) Film Conference and Music Festival each spring in Austin, Texas, to share the story of one yellow school bus’ transformation and its often-times dangerous 3,000-mile journey to Guatemala.
“La Camioneta” literally translates from Spanish as “pick-up truck,” but in the film’s context the word encompasses so much more. American school buses that once ferried students in the United States, when retired from service, are often recycled into vital modes of transportation for citizens in Latin American countries such as Guatemala to get to and from towns where they work.
While providing a vital service to citizens of Guatemala, driving one of these camionetas can be a matter of life and death. Since 2006, 737 camioneta drivers and 248 fare-collectors have been murdered for either refusing or for being unable to pay the extortion money demanded by local gangs. The documentary follows the stories of four men and one bus struggling to keep their dreams alive amidst the insecurity and impunity that surrounds them. What remains in the wake of the bus’ trans-formative journey is a complex portrait of the world which created it.
The documentary makes its world premiere at one of the premier film festivals not only in the U.S. but the world next month. The actual screening date has yet to be announced, but updates will be made on the film’s Facebook page and via Twitter. The official “La Camioneta” website will also list all upcoming screenings, said award-winning director Mark Kendall.
“We are totally thrilled by the news and think it will be the perfect place to launch the film,” said Kendall, who is also the documentary’s cinematographer and editor as well as co-producer with sound recordist Rafael Gonzalez, a journalist and award-winning filmmaker in his own right who lives in Guatemala City.
