Up in the Hill

On the 12th and 13th of April 2014, fire swept through Valparaiso once again. This time, with a voracity never seen before in a city that is used to dealing with natural disasters. With an uneven topography, a bankrupt local government, and little urban planning in the high parts of the hills, the fact that a fire could destroy many homes could not have been a complete surprise to anyone. However, this time, the damage was worse than ever before- taking almost everyone aback. The city was paralyzed, the skies darkened, and the typical postcard view of the “picturesque” houses on the hills vanished with the fire. Time has passed since the breaking news coverage and the quick response of the press immediately after the fire. Yet, hundreds of thousands of people, young and old, are still trying to find a way to live in their new post apocalyptic reality. Poverty has always existed in the hills of Valparaiso, but the victims are now survivors, and their daily lives are a testimony of courage, stubbornness and tenacity. Their survival encompasses the identity of Valparaíso itself. This documentary work tries to collect pieces from the daily life of those who remain above the city, high, up in the hills.