Life is hard in Medellin’s Comuna 13. Joblessness, poverty and the constant pressure to join or defy the trigger-happy drug gangs make the toughest corner of one of the world’s toughest cities a challenging place to elbow your way into adulthood. The Art of Peace is a half hour documentary exploring how hope, rhythm and tenacity are empowering artists and musicians to escape the violence of the city.
This film is part of a larger ongoing project exploring the role art can play helping communities struggling with violence. Research is being carried out worldwide by Manchester University and the charity In Place of War. In Place of War are on the ground actively enabling homegrown, grassroots arts organisations in Africa, Europe, the Middle East and Latin America. The film was made by myself and Charlie Miller.