'THE LOST CHILDREN' REVIEW: Unresolved Conflict Within Search Parties Complicates A Rescue Mission in the Amazon [4/5]
A Deeply Layered Crime-Rescue Documentary Straight from the Colombian Jungle
[Rating 4/5] - dir. Orlando von Einsiedel, Jorge Duran, and Lali Houghton - 2024 - Colombia - 14A - 1h 36m - Documentary
Directors Orlando von Einsiedel, Jorge Duran, and Lali Houghton have points to make about race and society, and they make them in big and small strokes through the process of analyzing a rescue mission in the Amazon, the people who led it, and why.
A small plane crashes in the Colombian jungle. The folks back down on the ground at the departure point soon surmise there are survivors. In fact, there are; four Indigenous children.
The search party grows in size until it only borders on manageable.
The Indigenous members of the local community get involved, and are initially welcomed thanks to their much greater understanding of the area.
Unfortunately, unresolved, unaddressed conflicts and abuse begin to complicate the search, and the two parties split into the Indigenous Community vs. the Colombian Army.
The Colombian Army in its ignorance doesn’t grant the Indigenous Community what they need to really engage with and further the search for the kids, and when they try and make a change, walls go up.
As the search goes on, and we learn more about its participants, we understand maybe where the children were coming from wasn’t so safe either.
This is a documentary about ignorance. It’s a documentary about abuse. It’s a documentary about how specific conflicts can distract and detract from accomplishing a wider reaching good.
It’s a celebration of endurance.
Its impact is lasting.
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The Lost Children is available on Netflix now.
Best Line: “Until we find them.”
[Rating 4/5] - dir. Orlando von Einsiedel, Jorge Duran, and Lali Houghton - 2024 - Colombia - 14A - 1h 36m - Documentary