A work of this nature is worthwhile for its authenticity and informative content, which implies that it needs to be filmed in optimal environmental conditions. The direct sound of the movie faithfully conveys aspects of the rite such as the hallucinatory chanting of the sorcerer and patient testimonies. The sequences of the film shot in black and white and then reversed, transport the viewer to the scene of events"
Letter written in 1980 by Berta Saldaña addressed to COPROCI regarding her documentary Magia, fe y curación (Magic, faith and healing.).
Berta Saldaña trains as a journalist and from this experience, she ventures into directing the cinematographic newsreel Nuevo Perú Nuevo Perú (1970-1980) during the Velasco Alvarado and Morales Bermúdez governments. During the government of Belaúnde Terry, she continues with her production of the newsreel Andino (until 1983). As a result of this work, Berta learns the ropes of the cinematographic profession and puts this knowledge at the service of officialist communication. To consolidate her production of short films within the framework of the 19327 film law, Berta founds Bersa Films alongside Gregorio Li Rosi in 1974. The film material that is part of her work has been cleaned and identified and is in the custody of the cinematheque of the PCUP.
Bio-filmografía of Berta Saldaña available on the online archive ‘Rebeldes y Valientes’ (‘Rebellious and courageous’) co-ordinated by Gabriela Yepes.
This film was never shown in cinemas, because the mandatory exhibition guaranteed by law 19327, had already been revoked. We present the digitisation of a copy in Umatic, dubbed in English, that the family of Berta Saldaña shared with us.
Documental que presenta a Villa El Salvador y las CUAVES como alternativa para la organización y vivienda popular en Lima. Esta película, dirigida por Berta Saldaña y financiada por Naciones Unidas, se presentó en la primera Conferencia Mundial sobre Asentamientos Humanos, ocurrida en Vancouver en 1976.
Berta Saldaña during the filming of Paracas viviente. Saldaña´s family archive.
Escena en Villa El Salvador de la película Perú y Habitat 76.
The documents and photographic archive of Berta Saldaña have been digitised and organised as part of the project "Usted de nuevo señorita" by Sara Lucía Guerrero, Illary Orccottoma and Lorena Best.
Image from Berta Saldaña´s files