Women of the Venezuelan Chaos

Portrait of Venezuela, a country in chaos seen through the eyes of five women of different ages and backgrounds. They all face a severe lack of food and medicines. Added to that are numerous political prisoners, an inadequate legal system and high crime rates.

Many of its inhabitants, and especially the women portrayed in this film, have ample reason to leave the country. According to director Margarita Cadenas, Venezuela was once a prosperous and luscious country that is now in a deplorable state. She follows five different women who, each in their own way, deal with appalling living conditions in the country. Mothers cannot buy diapers or baby foods for their children in the supermarket and have very limited access to clean water. Hospitals lack all sorts of medical equipment and medication to treat patients adequately. Meanwhile the government is reluctant to take measures other than putting political opponents behind bars. Drug trafficking, violence and homicide are commonplace due to serious shortcomings in the legal system.

Women of the Venezuelan Chaos is part of the Festival Favorites theme programme.