Survivors recount the fateful day, May 31st 1970, where the western hemisphere’s strongest earthquake shook the Ancash province in Peru; moments later, an avalanche coming from the nearby Huascaran Mountain buried the towns of Yungay and Ranrahirca along with over 20,000 people.
Synopsis
On May 31st 1970, there was an earthquake (the biggest in Peruvian history – 7.9 in moment magnitude) off the coast of the Ancash province, located in northern part of Peru. The towns of Yungay and Ranrahirca were completely destroyed after the earthquake dislodged a glacier causing an avalanche that resulted in the deaths of over 20,000 people. The film presents the firsthand accounts of survivors of the disaster and how they feel 50 years after the tragedy.
Behind The Scenes
Huascaran Mountain, Ancash, Peru. The Huascaran Mountain is the highest Mountain in Peru towering above at 6,768 meters above sea level. The crew was my friend Tony Martinez and I. We travelled north via a 14 Hour bus ride to the small town of Yungay, located 2458 meters above sea level. The town is located 15 km to the East of the Mountain.
ABOUT THE DIRECTOR | Arian Jacobs
Born in Peru, Arian graduated from Emily Carr University of Art + Design in Vancouver, Canada with an undergraduate degree in Film and Screen Arts. Has been involved in making several short film,s both documentary and narrative. He produced Angamos, directed and produced the short film Remembrances of Beauty Lost and co- produced and co-directed and co-edited Lima: Chaos Theory with Tony Martinez.