The Rebellion of Memory

It became world news in October 2019 when economic reforms in Ecuador led to gas prices suddenly shooting up by 123 percent. People from urban and indigenous communities united in protest. In The Rebellion of Memory we follow the events through their eyes, as the country’s capital, Quito, descends into smoke-filled chaos.

Filmmaker Daniel Yépez Brito takes full advantage of the masses of images shot by angry and frightened inhabitants. We drive along with the long protest march from inland areas, join the crowds occupying a government building, and watch as the crowds are driven apart by tanks and clouds of teargas.

In just 20 minutes we get a clear impression of a protest that lasted 13 days. Brito intersperses smartphone videos with cinematic shots and news footage to create a dynamic overview of both the unrest and the solidarity in his country. The film is open-ended, reflecting the fact that there’s still plenty of work to be done.