Marianela Maldonado’s observational documentary charts nine years in the lives of young Venezuelans whose musical talent offer a chance for them to escape poverty. In the heart of the city of Valencia lies the neighbourhood of Las Brisas. Crime and poverty dominate daily life, but for Dissandra, Edixon and Wuilly there is an opportunity to break away. ‘The System’ is a state-funded orchestra programme that gives young talent of limited means a hopeful future. However, as the years pass, the children face new obstacles and when their dreams are almost within reach, Venezuela’s economic instability could jeopardize everything. Maldonado’s film skilfully balances intimate portraits of its subjects with a more expansive overview of a country reaching breaking point.
纪录片的妙处在于，世界上没有任何一个作家编剧笔下的故事，会比真实的生活更残酷无情，比真实的命运更曲折离奇，比真实的人生更荒诞更无奈。七年时间里发生的变迁在人类历史上只是弹指一挥，在一个国家是一场终会平息的动乱，但落在个人的身上，可能是一生与至亲至爱难以相见的颠沛流离，是梦想破碎后永远无法治愈的伤痛。幸好他们还有音乐。
南美潮湿的下雨天，如诉如泣的提琴声，晃动的手持，接踵而至的荒谬… 一切都像是电影剧本般的，但这恰恰是纪录片。