The Bolivian feature documentary We of the Saya (Nosotros los de la Saya) successfully completed its funding via Kickstarter last month. Directed/produced by Sisa Bueno of Dominican and Cuban descent, the doc follows a marginalized Afro-Bolivian community led by a farmer with political aspirations to empower these descendants of African slaves, who arrived in Bolivia four centuries ago.
The filmmakers hope to broadcast the project on public television in the U.S., Bolivia and abroad. The doc also aspires to serve as an educational tool within Africana and/or Latino studies programs, as well as a cultural awareness and tolerance tool.
With the funded rough cut, filmmakers look forward to applying to Independent Film Lab Programs, such as the Sundance Documentary Fund, Tribeca Documentary Fund, and IFP Documentary Lab.
Here's the full synopsis:
WE OF THE SAYA (WOTS) follows a struggling Afro-Bolivian farmer who dreams of becoming involved in politics in order to help uplift her community, which has been marginalized, discounted, and socially neglected since African slavery began in Bolivia over four hundred years ago. This film offers an unique opportunity to see history being made as it was happening, and it also speaks to the systematic problem of invisibility affecting Afro-Latinos throughout Latin America.
For updates, follow the film on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/WeoftheSaya) and Twitter (https://twitter.com/weofthesayafilm)
Watch the compelling 10 minute preview below:
WE OF THE SAYA sample from AbNomad Media on Vimeo.