Unwanted Witness

It does not bode well to be a critical journalist in Colombia. Unwanted Witness is a documentary portrait of Colombian television journalist Hollman Morris who, despite death threats, continues to expose the truth behind the armed conflict and denounce his government’s politics. His non-aligned stance and commitment to human rights take a heavy toll on his private life. In a country where most television viewers prefer enjoying entertainment shows and soap operas over making an effort to understand the daily reality of their country, journalist Hollman Morris struggles to obtain air time for his current affairs programme ‘Contravía’. Ironically, his show has been highly praised in foreign countries. In contrast to most other Colombian news programmes, that lack criticism towards the government of President Alvaro Uribe, Contravíagives attention to issues which are rarely covered. In the documentary Unwanted Witness filmmaker Juan José Lozano sketches a portrait of Morris, who is often visibly frustrated about the lack of interest his own country shows for the uncomfortable truths Contravía brings to light.