Eyes Wide Open (2009)

A trip through modern South America

Eyes Wide Open (2009) poster

In 1971, Uruguayan journalist and writer Eduardo Galeano published his landmark work Open Veins of Latin America, in which he comprehensively described the centuries of economic exploitation of Latin America. Almost 40 years later, filmmaker Gonzalo Arijon reevaluates the situation. His search takes him from the soybean plantations of the Brazilian Amazon to the tin mines of Bolivia to the deep jungles of Ecuador. Arijon’s politically committed film allows the local populations to speak for themselves, interspersing this with archival footage of speeches by Hugo Chávez, Lula da Silva and Evo Morales. Galeano himself also speaks—sometimes in poetic language— about how the rise of socialist governments in the early 21st century is benefitting Latin America, and what more can be done.

Director: Gonzalo Arijón
Genre: Documentary
Runtime: 115 min
Release Date:

Screenplay

Music: Florencia Di Concilio
Cinematography: Gonzalo Arijón, Pablo Zubizarreta
Editing: Samuel Lajus
Production: Miramar, Xanadu, Morocha Films, Salado Media Cine
Country: Ecuador, France, Uruguay
Language: Español
Original Language: es
More Films by Director: Gonzalo Arijón
More Films in Genre: Documentary

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Eyes Wide Open about?
In 1971, Uruguayan journalist and writer Eduardo Galeano published his landmark work Open Veins of Latin America, in which he comprehensively described the centuries of economic exploitation of Latin America. Almost 40 years later, filmmaker Gonzalo Arijon reevaluates the situation. His search takes him from the soybean plantations of the Brazilian Amazon to the tin mines of Bolivia to the deep jungles of Ecuador. Arijon’s politically committed film allows the local populations to speak for themselves, interspersing this with archival footage of speeches by Hugo Chávez, Lula da Silva and Evo Morales. Galeano himself also speaks—sometimes in poetic language— about how the rise of socialist governments in the early 21st century is benefitting Latin America, and what more can be done.
Who directed Eyes Wide Open?
Eyes Wide Open was directed by Gonzalo Arijón.
How long is Eyes Wide Open?
Eyes Wide Open has a runtime of 1h 55m (115 minutes).
What genre is Eyes Wide Open?
Eyes Wide Open is a Documentary film.
Where was Eyes Wide Open produced?
Eyes Wide Open was produced in Ecuador, France, Uruguay.