The Long Road Home

The last 40 years of Guatemalan history has been a tragic string of right-wing fanaticism, military coup, rampant murder, and political persecution. It is no secret that the U.S. has played a large part in this reign of terror. From the C.I.A. backing of dictators to the Reagan Administration's willful blindness toward human rights violations in order to resume interrupted military aid, we had our hand in their domestic pie for over half a century. It is appropriate, then that Americans see some of the fruits of their political meddling. Andrea Leland gives us a glimpse into the lives of Guatemalan refugees in her documentary film, The Long Road Home. Hundreds of thousands of Guatemalans have fled their country and the brutality of the military government, for the uncertain and painful like of refugee camps in southern Mexico. Mexico has not accepted these people openly, the refugees are confined to particularly hostile area, and have little hope of actually making a living or fending for themselves from the environment. They are almost wholly dependent upon international relief. Amongst all this pain, Leland actually relates a story of incredible hope. The film follows Ricardo Hernandez, a former refugee now living in Chicago, as he return to the camps to see how his people are faring. Despite the bleakness of their situation the people are extremely optimistic. They continue to look with certainty toward the day when they will return to Guatemala, freely and safely. But rather than idly await that day they have opted to organize themselves as much as possible. Teachers are appointed and schools constructed, makeshift doctors receive training in medicine, representatives from each group are elected to speak with the U.N. about aid and their voice in negotiations for the eventual return to Guatemala. The film dwells not so much on political and economic conditions in Guatemala and Mexico, but rather on the spirit of these much abused people. Some might find fault with this indirect approach, but the end product is still educational an stimulating. Highly recommended for school and academic libraries, particularly those with Central and Latin American interests.