Curundu

Scenes

Introduction

The opening shots of the documentary show some of the photo’s Kenneth Pearch has taken of his neighbourhood, the shanty district Curundu in Panama City . Amidst ruinous apartment buildings and gang violence its inhabitants attempt to create a meaningful existence. For Kenneth this entails the construction of his own little palace and functioning as the collective memory of his community through photography.

Kenneth, photographer 1/2

Kenneth uses his camera to function as the collective memory of his community. He records the memories the impoverished community choose to remember. The selective memory of Curundu is exemplified in Kenneth’s most common subject matter; the children. Their parents desire to document their early years represents the hope of the community for a better future and transcends the despair around them.

The stigma of Curundu

This clip illustrates how inhabitants of Curundu cope with the social stigma of living in the shanty district. For some inhabitants living in Curundu is a sin, while others are convinced that the social depravity of their surroundings does not determine who they are as individuals.

Kenneth, photographer 2/2

In this clip Kenneth describes how he became a photographer and his fascination for photography. According to Kenneth, “The photo never dies, (..) [it] is a reminder that stays with you.”

Marilis, Kenneth’s neighbour

In the tight-knit community inhabitants are often faced with a precarious balance between social order and gang violence. Kenneth’s neighbour Marilis shows various photographs of her children, deceased family members and describes the violent death of her nephew.

Basilia, Kenneth’s mother

Kenneth and his mother Basilia describes how he, despite privileged opportunities, was easily led into a life of violence and crime. Both retrace the event in Kenneth’s past that instigated a troubled life and many years of incarceration.

Disillusioned about future

Kenneth describes how he, after years of incarceration, struggles to reinsert himself into society. His experiences with the injustice and inefficiency of the Panamanian legal system has left him disillusioned and in despair about his future. While looking through his window at the luxurious high-rise buildings of Panama City, Kenneth comments, “Why can’t we live like those people that live over on that side?”

Gang violence in Curundu

Several inhabitants explain their personal views on the local gangs. According to Kenneth their presence is a logical consequence of poverty and deprivation, while his neighbour Marilis is convinced that it stems from the youth’s ignorance.

The children of Curundu

According to Kenneth, the disparity of their surroundings lead many children to easily give in to a live of violence and crime. However, his younger friend James is convinced that the social depravity of his surroundings does not define him as an individual. In James’ words, “You are what you make of yourself.”

Incarceration / injustice 1/2

This clip shows how Kenneth is arrested for the alleged robbing of a tourist. He denies the allegations, yet describes the various torture techniques the local police supposedly use to extract confessions from other suspects. Kenneth comments that justice in Panama is not blind but more like a pendulum, “Sometimes it’s more on one side than the other.”

Fire in Curundu

While Kenneth is incarcerated, a large fire destroys much of Curundu. Amidst the fire many inhabitants perish, and with them many people’s hope for a better future.

Incarceration / injustice 2/2

After five months, Kenneth is absolved from allocations due to insufficient evidence. He returns from prison only to find his house destroyed by looters.