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Blood Coal

December 29, 2020

For years, Germany has been sourcing much of its coal from Colombia. But at what price? Colombians have been suffering from spiraling violence, while mining companies and European consumers profit.

https://p.dw.com/p/3nJvA
Kolumbien Offene Kohlewaggons
Image: DW/O. Ristau
Kolumbien Kohleabbau
Image: picture alliance/AP Photo

Time and again, coal-mining in Colombia has proven to result in severe human rights abuses and environmental degradation. People are forced from their land, lose property rights and suffer violence. El Samario, a former paramilitary soldier, talks about the countless murders he has carried out on behalf of international coal suppliers.

Ein Mann mit Pistole
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/R. Schlesinger


The film sheds light on a dark part of Colombian life, and its links to Europe. It gives deep insights into the psyche of a contract killer, what lead him to commit murder and how he deals with his past. Can a murderer ever be forgiven? Can he forgive himself?

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