Border Echoes - Ecos de Una Frontera - is a documentary that tells the story of the slayings of girls and women in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, through the eyes of investigative reporter Diana Washington Valdez. The film, in English, chronicles the chilling story of the deaths that Amnesty International called "intolerable killings" in its 2003 report on Ciudad Juarez. Some victims were as young as 5 and 6 years old, and the majority of the victims were teenagers and young women. Although numerous suspects are in custody, activists and families of victims believe the Mexican authorities have not solved most of the crimes. The film explains why the murders are likely to continue. It also provides previously unreported and shocking details about the murders.
"This is a story about extreme violence toward women," Mendez-Quiroga says. "The victims of these brutal murders and the women who face violence in their everyday lives deserve justice.”
Los Angeles, CA -- "Border Echoes-Ecos De Una Frontera," the only documentary to tell the story of the slayings of girls and women in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, through the eyes of investigative reporter Diana Washington Valdez, is set for theatrical screening at 7 p.m., September 27, at the Laemmle Sunset 5, 8000 Sunset Boulevard, in West Hollywood.
Washington Valdez, put her life on the line to expose the high-level corruption that she believes has protected the killers. She contends that serial killers, drug dealers, violent gangs, a group of powerful and copycat killers are among the suspects who are still at large. Among other things, the film examines the social conditioning that has propagated a culture of violence against women, which has resulted in increasing numbers of murders of women in other parts of Mexico, too.
Times reporter receives Hispanic Caucus award El Paso Times staff writer Diana Washington Valdez received the Latina Leader Award in Media by the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute in Washington, D.C., announced Esther Aguilera, the institute president and CEO. "We admire the courage of those who take a risk and try new things in their fields," Aguilera said. Washington Valdez was singled out for her coverage of the Juárez women's murders through newspaper stories and the nonfiction book "Harvest of Women." During a ceremony Monday, the caucus recognized several women in science, cultural arts, media, sports, leadership and environmental justice.
The film, in English, chronicles the chilling story of the deaths that Amnesty International called "Intolerable Killings" in its 2003 report on Ciudad Juarez. Some victims were as young as 5 and 6 years old, and the majority of the victims were teenagers and young women. Although numerous suspects are in custody, activists and families of victims believe the Mexican authorities have not solved most of the crimes. The film explains why the murders are likely to continue. It also provides previously unreported and shocking details about the murders.
Among other things, the film examines the social conditioning that has propagated a culture of violence against women, which has resulted in increasing numbers of murders of women in other parts of Mexico, too
For the mystery of the murdered women of Juárez has evolved into more than a crime story. Words like "femicide," "machismo," "misogyny" and "impunity" have entered a much broader debate about the city and its connection to issues of race, class and gender. And, less predictably, Juárez has become the heart of an impassioned grass-roots artists' movement. READ MORE
Explosive book exposes the Mexican killing fields that claimed the lives of hundreds of women at the Juarez, Mexico border. The author's dangerous investigation reveals high-level corruption, a drug cartel run amok and more. Hollywood took note and produced a movie starring Jennifer Lopez and Antonio Banderas. READ MORE
This report is a summary of a 70 page report : Intolerable Killings: 10 Years of Abductions and Murders of Women in Ciudad Juarez and Chihuaha' ( AMR 41/026/2003) which addresses the inability of the Mexican authorities to treat the cases in the context of a specific pattern and their failure to provide the relatives with a proper response or effective legal remedy. READ MORE
The film's screening coincides with the release of "Harvest of Women: A Mexican Safari" by Washington Valdez, a special edition of the non-fiction book produced by Peace at the Border Films, LLC, under a unique collaboration with the author. The Spanish version of the book, "Cosecha de Mujeres: Safari en el Desierto Mexicano" (Oceano; 2005) is a bestseller.
Film Director Lorena Mendez-Quiroga is the founder of Justice for the Women of Juarez in Los Angeles, which aims to raise awareness about the issue and to support the families of victims. Some of the prominent citizens involved in advocating against the gender violence in Ciudad Juarez include Jane Fonda and Sally Field, who led a protest march in Juarez in 2004.
Diana Washington Valdez has worked as a journalist in El Paso, Texas, for more than 20 years. One of her previous assignments was to work undercover in a Juarez maquiladora (assembly) to find out what it was like for women to work in one of the 300 plants that pay their workers $4 to $5 on average per day.
Cast and Crew
Border Echoes, Ecos de Una Frontera
Director-Writer-Ptoducer
Lorena Mendez-Quiroga
EditorProducer
Emily Koonse
Producers
Daryl Brown
Shay Moore
Azul Luna
Gus Quiroga
Graphic Artist
Beth Hart
Yolanda Santillan
Assistant Editor/
Associate Producer
Jacob Flores
Angie Silva
Production Assistant
Jacob Flores
Angie Silva
Publicity (film premiere)
Arlinda Arsaias
Production)
Peace at the Border Films
Post Production
Big Time Entertainment
