“When the waters flow as one: A women and peace story” was developed by UN Women in Colombia, thanks to the support of the Swedish Embassy and in coordination with the recently completed Truth Commission in Colombia.
The intention to developing this film was born within the framework of the commemorative acts of resolution 1325 of the United Nations Security Council, which in 2020 commemorated 20 years since its unanimous approval.
This film piece was also conceived as an innovative way to connect, empathize, dignify and recognize, from the exercises of truth and memory of women, their contribution to peace in Colombia.
The film of 85 minutes spoke with women from regions ranging from the Caribbean to the Amazonian foothills, from the snow-capped mountains to the plains, the Colombian southwest, the Pacific. A total of 45 women, from 30 different territories of the country participated as protagonists representing their organizational processes. In addition, initiatives of national level lead from women in capital cities were represented in 15 protagonists.
The film piece portrays from the voices of women and their organizations, stories that highlight the challenges, losses, sometimes heartbreaking, and at the same time the resilience, strength and courage of Colombian women who joined forces like the waters, and advanced in a decisive and invaluable role so that the scars they have had to endure for more than half a century in the country were not in vain.
Women like the ones portrayed on the film have created their generation's own vision of feminism, fighting for peace, justice, dignity, truth and non-repetition. The name "When the waters fall as one" appeals to the fact that, as rivers meet with seas, women come together to be a great tide that transforms everything and can do everything for the benefit of all. The name is a way of telling the world: women and peace have met and will continue to meet to, with all the impetus and determination of the struggle that all of them have advanced for decades, build a more egalitarian, fair, resilient, capable of building on the pain of so many years.
The film was released globally on March 8, 2023, on the International Women's Day, in line with this date and the important moment it generates to reflect on the progress made and the commitment to changes towards equality and celebrate the courage and determination of women. The simultaneous premiere took place in Bogotá, Perú and Ecuador.
From is launch in March the film had a commercial circuit during 15 days, with exhibitions in Colombia in 14 cities, 18 cinemas in alliance with 9 exhibitors.
Likewise, it began an international tour in coordination with the Colombian Foreign Ministry in alliance with other UN Women offices in countries such as Costa Rica, Chile, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela, Mexico, Spain, Brazil, Argentina and Stockholm.
Given the important impact that the film has achieved in this short term, UN Women, the Swedish Embassy developed within the framework of the Bogota International Book Fair - FILBO- one of the most important fairs in Ibero-America, the strip "When the waters come together: Narratives of women" initiative that brought together various writers and topics of interest around Gender Equality, including Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Djamila Rivero.
Since its launch in March, it has participated in festivals as: Cartagena de Indias International Film Festival (FICCI) in the Cinema in Neighborhoods selection, which promotes the formation of audiences, International Film and Human Rights Festival of Valencia - HUMANS FEST, International Film Festival in the Mountains, Film Festival to the Sea in Santa Marta, and International Film Festival for Human Rights in Bogotá.
Currently with a calendar of festivals in Colombia to participate and exploring participation in other spaces in Latin America Alliance with the Colombian Foreign Ministry so that all Colombian diplomatic missions in the world include it in special exhibitions. At the moment the film has achieved 120 screenings (some with exclusive premieres), 11 countries, 9 exhibitors, 16 cities in Colombia and 18 theaters, +80 notes in international, national, territorial media and +8,500 viewers.
The premiere will be followed by an open conversation.
