Review of Children of Las Brisas

I have watched many "Independent Lens" films over two decades, but I have never been so moved by one, as I am by this. As a lover of classical music, I imagined that this would be an uplifting story of music raising the spirit of young Venezuelans; and it seemed to be doing just that. But the introductory narration hinted otherwise. What was the real point of the film was the deterioration of the country's economy and social order as the governmental mistakes piled up, and how it affected the lives of the three young people featured. It is hard to imagine, here in the USA, what real systemic poverty looks like, but this is clear and demoralizing. That these huge masses of people live in such poverty, and survive without showing unquenchable bitterness, is a tribute to their spirit and moral courage. No one who watches this can come away from it with anything but respect and admiration. The tiny problems of my life, things that I moan about, are nothing compared to what many millions face and survive every day.