13 Grados Sur is a documentary film that gathers stories of climate change, a threatened land, and resilient communities in the Peruvian Andes.
Directed by Francesco Garello and Manuel Peluso, produced by Anna Catella for Movimento Sviluppo e Pace, 13 Grados Sur was officially released in 2020. Set over 3,400 meters above mean sea level in the Peruvian Andes, it is a video reportage that portrays the climate crisis and the environmental challenges faced by this territory, known for its microclimatic diversity and peculiar anthropological richness.
Peru is home to over fifty recognized indigenous groups, living in isolation in the Andes at altitudes ranging from 3,000 to 5,000 meters. These people are considered heirs of Inca culture and guardians of the worship of Pacha Mama—Mother Earth.
The documentary reaches them, conveying to the audience the meaning of life in the tropical mountains. From divinatory knowledge to ancestral wisdom, these communities maintain a direct relationship with nature and an embodied experience of the climate.
The filmmakers meet the indigenous people, recording their testimonies in their original languages. They invite us into their homes, traditions, and daily lives. The film showcases ancient cultures, the birthplace of equally ancient crops, and a subsistence economy primarily based on agriculture and livestock.
«This project was conceived and produced between 2018 and 2019. The idea behind it was to tell the story of the effects of climate change from the perspective of those who experience its significant impact in their daily lives, even at a time when it was being discussed less here in Europe. Whereas drought in our region might mean a rise in tomato prices at the market, in Peru it could mean not eating at all.» – Francesco Garello, journalist
The effects of climate change are therefore starkly visible here.
Rising temperatures and frost events considerably impact the quality and quantity of harvests, pastures, and human health. The perspectives of researchers and local NGOs highlight the great adaptability of these communities in the face of instability. However, they also expose the dramatic challenges of sustaining their economic systems in the face of the growing presence of large mining companies and the subsequent exploitation of the land.
The disruption of traditional rural activities raises the issue of uncertainty. Skilfully, 13 Grados Sur captures images, stories, and collaborative initiatives in synergy with local organizations active in the region.
The focus is on the emotional and cultural dimension of climate change, emerging from a visual storytelling that takes us through the crowded streets of Cusco and the isolated Andean highlands. It connects us to sounds and colours that need to be preserved, inviting us to witness a profound global truth: nothing can be taken for granted.
Watch the Documentary (English subtitles) | 13 Grados Sur Podcast (Italian language)
The project is co-financed by the European Union and the Piedmont Region through the Consorzio delle Ong Piemontesi as part of Frame, Voice, Report!