The Devil's Miner

While I am not a documentary reviewer by trade, the following review is well worth your time to read. I ran across this documentary last year while watching our local PBS station. While it takes place in the mines of Bolivia, there are many parallels to the Chilean mines, miners, and lifestyle. I found the DVD today at our local library and plan to watch it again this week.



Synopsis from the documentary's website:

The Devil's Miner is the story of 14 year-old Basilio Vargas and his 12 year-old brother, Bernardino, as they work in the Bolivian silver mines of Cerro Rico, which date back to the sixteenth century. Through the children's eyes, we encounter the world of devout Catholic miners who sever their ties to God upon entering the mountain. It is an ancient belief that El Tio (the devil), as represented by hundreds of statues constructed in the tunnels, determines the fate of all who work within the mines.

Raised without a father and living in virtual poverty with their mother on the slopes of the mine, the boys assume many adult responsibilities. They must work to afford the clothing and supplies vital to their education. Basilio believes only the mountain devil's generosity will allow them to earn enough money to continue the new school year. Without an education, the brothers have no chance to escape their destiny in the silver mines.

View the trailer HERE
82 minutes long
Spanish - with English subtitles
For more information go to www.thedevilsminer.com
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Tio - The Devil
Tio is an ancient word derived from dios (god) and is the title given to the ruler of Cerro Rico. Throughout the mountain, over 500 chambers with devil statues have been constructed to honor him. In the miner's efforts to appease Tio, ritualistic ceremonies have evolved which often include blood sacrifices.

Basilio tells his little brother in the documentary to, "Never stop believing in the Tio. He eats the miner. He kills him and then eats his soul." His brother responds by saying, "I don't want to die in the mines. I want to survive...until I am big."
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If your local library has this documentary, I strongly encourage you to watch it. Watch it with "missions" glasses on. It will tear your heart out and expose you to the Devil's strong grip on the mining people of the Andes Mountains. It will also give you a better sense in how to pray for our family as we desire to minister to the mining families of Northern Chile.