Granito: How to Nail a Dictator (2011)

In the compelling documentary, "Granito: How to Nail a Dictator," the audience is taken on an extraordinary journey through time and memory. The film uncovers the instrumental role of a filmmaker's debut documentary in indicting the infamous Guatemalan despot, Efraín Ríos Montt. After three decades shielded by legal immunity, Montt is finally held accountable for his crimes against humanity in January 2012. Charged with perpetrating genocide against the impoverished Mayan populace during the 1980s, he makes history as the inaugural ex-head of state tried for genocide in his homeland. A blend of political suspense and personal memoir, "Granito" masterfully navigates the tumultuous waters of Guatemala's past and present. Director Pamela Yates transports us back to the chilling era of genocide, only to bring us back to a present defined by a relentless pursuit of justice. The narrative is as intricate as a Mayan tapestry, woven together by a diverse ensemble of characters united by fate and purpose. Each plays a pivotal role in this relentless quest for justice, contributing their "granito," or tiny grain of sand, to the monumental narrative. This poignant tale of rectifying past atrocities and seeking justice unfolds like a haunting melody, resonating with the echoes of a painful history that had been buried but not forgotten. "Granito: How to Nail a Dictator" is a testament to the enduring human spirit and the relentless pursuit of justice, no matter how much time has elapsed.

Granito: How to Nail a Dictator is a documentary movie directed by Pamela Yates.

Granito: How to Nail a Dictator is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Kanopy.