Memories of Paradise

The Untold Story of Coca and the Shining Path

Directed and produced by Sonia Goldenberg

The legendary Peruvian town of Paradise was once a tropical utopia. After an earthquake in the 1970's buried the city of Yungay, killing 70,000, the survivors were given government aid to settle a new town in the jungle which they called Paradise. Here they dreamed of creating a better future for their families.

In the beginning, the peasants grew corn, coffee and other crops. When the economic aid ended, the residents turned to coca cultivation. The valley became the source of 60% of the world's coca leaves. Then the town was taken over by drug lords and the people's dreams soured. Drugs were flown out of the valley's seven airports as local authorities turned a blind eye in exchange for bribes.

Suddenly the Shining Path Maoists burst into the town of Paradise. At first, they protected the dealers in exchange for a share of the profits. But soon they launched an audacious bid to take over the market and started terrorizing the residents. Hundreds were killed in a legendary battle which prompted the government to launch a full-scale assault on the Maoists. Paradise was destroyed, but the original settlers are starting to come back to rebuild. Memories of Paradise gives a fresh perspective on the complexities of terrorism and the "drug wars."

Award of Merit, Latin American Studies Association, 2006

50 min. Video or DVD. Sale $295. Video rental $75.

Margaret Mead Film Festival, 2004
New York Latino International Film Festival, 2004
Bronze Prize, Golden Knight International Film Festival, Moscow, 2004

"I am glad that the competition started with such a powerful film... the director succeeded in showing real values of existence." Nikolay Burlyaev, president, Golden Knight International Film Festival