Colombia in My Arms

After the historical peace agreement in 2016 and over 50 years of bloody civil war, the world-renowned FARC guerilla begin a comprehensive process of disarmament.

Based on this process, Kivistö and Rastas closely follow FARC soldiers at retraining camps. They show us people who have lived their entire lives with machine guns under their pillows, and who are now going to learn to read and become good citizens. As well as an arrogant man from the absolute upper class, the right wing politician María Fernanda Cabal Molina and some coca farmers are followed at close distance the time before, during and after the peace agreement. With beautiful cinematography and closeness to all parties, Colombia in My Arms exposes the deeply rooted conflict in the country while simultaneously posing questions about what a sustainable society is and can be.

• Maja Kekonius