This film will focus on the men who are struggling to redefine democracy in the Andes: the leaders of the popular uprisings in Bolivia and Peru, and the elites that control their governments.

Rodrigo Vazquez (Director) (“Condor: Axis of Evil” which premiered at the 2003 Cannes Film Festival, was nominated by dozens of film festivals around the world and had a cinema release in France and UK).

Latin American democracy is going through its biggest crisis ever as an increasing number of people lose faith in the system. They feel betrayed by the ruling White elite that promoted the idea of democracy but failed to improve people’s lives.

Instead, the economy collapsed, unemployment rose and more people than ever before were excluded from the economy. They believe that the solution to the problems is to change the system and to go back to the principles of the ancient Inca Empire.

The centre-piece of the Inca system is “direct-democracy” - all government decisions have to be approved by the people’s assemblies throughout the country before they can be enforced. Their slogan: “representation is out, participation is in”.

This film will focus on the men who are struggling to redefine democracy in the Andes: the leaders of the popular uprisings in Bolivia and Peru, and the elites that control their governments. The indigenous leaders have the numbers, the elites have the guns, and the support of the US Governments and the foreign corporations.

In January 2005, the Peruvian President Alejandro Toledo was forced to quash an indigenous insurrection spear-headed by Army reservists. They were led by Cnl. Antauro Humala. Humala’s troops seized two Andean towns and demanded Toledo’s immediate resignation. They accused the President of “selling out” the country to foreigners and Jews (Toledo’s wife is a Belgian Jew). The people sealed the towns with road-blocks. The army launched an offensive to recapture the towns. Seven people were killed. Humala was captured and is awaiting trial.

In June 5th 2005 an insurrection of the Bolivian indigenous population led by the peasants’ and miners’ unions and left-wing parties toppled President Carlos Mesa. Their siege to La Paz paralyzed the country’s economy for one month. Politicians fled the capital. The Congressmen chose an interim President to get out of the crisis. But the indigenous people are not willing to give up their insurrection. Their aim is not to change the President but the system, because they don’t believe in democracy anymore.

The director will travel to Peru and Bolivia on his motor bike and will structure the film as a diary. With four uprisings in three years and three presidents successfully overthrown by the people, these countries look as unpredictable as ever.