Pico y Pala
A film by Rosana Matecki
After an earthquake exposes the profound devastation Venezuela was already enduring, a group of university students comes together to search for Daniela, a beloved friend trapped beneath the rubble. Inspired by her, they continue rescuing others. As they dig with picks, shovels, and their own hands, they also unearth the wounds of a fractured country—and the possibility of rebuilding it. In the end, they must decide whether to stay and help rebuild the country or join the millions of Venezuelans who have already left.
Director's Note
Telling this story is urgent because it takes place in a country where censorship, persecution, and the erosion of independent media have left countless realities undocumented. Amid the official silence, bearing witness becomes an act of resistance and remembrance. We want to accompany these young people with an intimate and honest gaze, preserving not only what they experienced during the emergency, but also the solidarity, courage, and capacity for collective action that emerged in the absence of the State. Their story reveals the devastated Venezuela that exists today, but also the possible country they represent.
Donations
The young members of Pico y Pala are formally establishing themselves as a brigade so they can continue the work they began during the emergency. Their goal is to build a long-term aid organization capable of responding to future crises and supporting the victims and communities most affected by the earthquake. In a country where institutions have left so many people unprotected, strengthening this citizen-led network of solidarity and assistance is essential.
In this first stage of the Pico y Pala fundraising campaign, our goal is to raise $25,000. These funds will support three months of filming, the creation of a teaser, and the continued development of the documentary’s story. Twenty-five percent of all funds raised will go directly to the Pico y Pala Brigade, helping its members formally establish the organization and sustain their long-term work assisting earthquake victims.
We are also in discussions with several foundations interested in matching the donations allocated to the Brigade, which could double their impact. Every contribution will help preserve this important story through the film while supporting the young people who continue helping their communities rebuild.
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Producer's Note
For director Rosana Matecki, Pico y Pala continues the exploration she began in her documentary Casas Muertas. After asking what had become of the young people who led Venezuela’s student protests—many of whom were forced to emigrate, persecuted, or silenced—she found in Pico y Pala a new generation that, faced with the abandonment of the State, chose to organize and assume a responsibility that should never have fallen upon them. The film seeks to discover whether the solidarity born during the emergency can become a lasting force for transformation, and whether these young people will be able to rebuild their country or will also be forced to leave it.