The Men of the Lake

An ancient village on the brink of extinction.

A documentary about the Uru-Murato village Puñaca Tintamaria, one of the oldest, poorest, and most historically important and overlooked villages in Latin America. Founded circa 2000 B.C., it is currently on the brink of extinction.

The Uru-Muratos are descendents of the oldest community in Bolivia, the Urus. Known as the “men of the lake” for their close relationship with Lake Poopó, their history is a story of continual enslavement. This history was exacerbated in 1930 with the Aymaran invasion of their lands and lake. As a result, the Uru-Muratos lost their place as the sole fishermen of the lake, thereby drastically altering their economic livelihood and relations with other communities. Ever since, the preservation of the land and culture of the Uru-Muratos has been a somber struggle.

“Los Hombres del Lago” presents the story of the smallest community of Uru-Muratos, Puñaca Tintamaria. Narrated by the community’s ex-leader, Daniel Moricio Choque, the movie recounts the history of their community, customs, and current problems: their continuous poverty, lack of land and representation, the contamination of Lake Poopó, and the impact of global warming.

This is their story, their struggle, and their survival.