The Devil’s Miner | DVD Review

THE DEVIL’S MINER opens with broad, breath-taking shots of the Cerro Rico Mountain, which has housed the Bolivian silver mines for more than 450 years. A low-rumbling score speaks of doom as titles attest to the eight million who have died here in “The mountain that eats man.” One of the men who risks being eaten by this mountain on a daily basis is but a boy of fourteen years. Basilio Vargas is the main subject of Kief Davidson and Richard Ladkani’s 2005 documentary. Along with his 12-year-old brother, Bernardino, he pulls double shifts that run 24 hours straight in order to support his mountain dwelling family. He has been working the mines for four years and has become the father of the household as his own father passed away when he was two. The dust of the mines has settled on his face and body like a second skin as he fights against the seemingly inevitable fate of working these bare mines until his early death. It is a life of heavy responsibility and potentially grave consequence that forces him to seek guidance and protection from an unlikely source, the devil (el tio). This premise is both puzzling and shocking at first but once you understand that all the miners on the Cerro Rico Mountain turn to the devil because they are aware that they tread lightly on his stomping ground, it becomes rational. When in the house of God, speak to your host; when in the devil’s hell, respect his authority or perish and become number eight million and one. The maze of the mines, the lore of the ritual worship and the difficult position of the Vargas family are all compelling elements but fail to form a connection that unifies the film’s focus.

This is not to say that THE DEVIL’S MINER won’t make you care about the dismal future of this young boy and the hundreds of others who will grow up in the mine and likely never leave to find a healthier job. In fact, that sympathy is furthered upon watching the short documentary follow up that is the main attraction in the special features. Basilio and his family have been invited a special screening of the film one year after shooting wrapped. Their reactions to moments or scenes are then questioned in a candid interview that shows a softer, shyer side of young boy who feels so much pressure to be responsible at all times and seemed to only a year later understand the gravity of putting your life on film. Aside from the theatrical trailer and some contact information for charitable organizations, the only other special feature is flat screen of text giving a bit of background on the filmmakers, their reason for pursuing this project and a list of the awards bestowed upon the film. This is disappointing as I can imagine it was a difficult, frightening shoot and no details surrounding that experience are divulged. Perhaps this is out of respect to the miners who will endure the horrible conditions for many, many years after this film shoot ended.

Young Basilio, a boy who is energetic, spontaneous and playful while still focused on all he is accountable for will weigh on you after the film ends but it has more to do with his reality than the film itself.

Movie rating – 3

Disc Rating – 2.5