La Camioneta: The Journey of One American School Bus

Name: La Camioneta: The Journey of One American School Bus
Genre: Documentary
Released: 2013-05-31
Duration: 1 h 11 min
Rating: 6.8

2012
TV-PG
1h 11m

IMDb RATING

6.8/10

143

YOUR RATING

La Camioneta: The Journey of One American School Bus (2012)

The journey and transformation of a yellow American school bus into a vibrant Central American camioneta sensitively reveals both the beauty and violence of everyday life in Guatemala.

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Documentary

Every day dozens of decommissioned school buses leave the United States on a southward migration that carries them to Guatemala, where they are repaired, repainted, and resurrected as the br... Read allEvery day dozens of decommissioned school buses leave the United States on a southward migration that carries them to Guatemala, where they are repaired, repainted, and resurrected as the brightly-colored camionetas that bring the vast majority of Guatemalans to work each day. "T... Read allEvery day dozens of decommissioned school buses leave the United States on a southward migration that carries them to Guatemala, where they are repaired, repainted, and resurrected as the brightly-colored camionetas that bring the vast majority of Guatemalans to work each day. "This is powerful reportage, beautifully shot and gracefully laid out." VILLAGE VOICE

Director
- Mark Kendall

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.8/10

143

YOUR RATING

Director
- Mark Kendall

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 6 wins & 18 nominations

Featured review

8/10

A journey of hope against a background of fear and violence

This very watchable documentary follows the fate of a yellow school bus once decommissioned from active service on the school run. From the auction to the transit run through the eyes of the courier. On delivery, the importer's perspective is laid out. Side stories of the purchaser of the "raw goods", those transforming the bus fit for purpose for its new life, the background fears of the new drivers, a glimpse into home lives and the price being paid for potential advancement. It was just long enough and just detailed enough. A very objective account of a fascinating upcycling story. The only reason I marked it less than a 10 was that it was a dispassionate account that didn't really engage me emotionally.