ARMED with A BRUSH

Nemad©c, an independent film production company based in the Netherlands, proudly announces the launch of ARMED with a BRUSH, a full-feature documentary portraying the works and lives of Chilean street art movement Brigada Ramona Parra (BRP).

The BRP originated in 1968 as a propaganda department of the JJCC (Juventudes Comunistas de Chile, Chilean Communist Youth League). As a young group they supported the democratically elected President Salvador Allende.

The early members of the Brigada Ramona Parra (named after a political activist assassinated in Santiago in 1946) painted verbal messages on strategically placed walls of the capital to communicate their views in support of democracy and equality. Their art form evolved into colourful murals depicting symbols of what they have always believed to be basic human rights, while lashing out against totalitarian regimes and social inequalities.

During the Pinochet regime, members of the BRP were captured, tortured, and killed, while others went into exile. Still, BRP members persisted in their belief that the paintbrush was mightier than the sword, that ideas would eventually conquer senseless violence and repression.

Today's BRP is stronger and more determined than ever to peacefully paint for justice and equality among Chileans. Despite the political lull, the BRP brigadistas remain relentless in their strife for a more equitable democracy in Chile, passing their art form and beliefs on to even younger generations, relentlessly, colourfully depicting the dreams and hopes forever painted in the hearts and minds of the Chilean people.

In a series of compelling interviews spanning across three generations and nearly 60 years of paintbrush wielding, ARMED with a BRUSH explores the origins, motivations, symbolism, and evolution of this unique, bold, relentless pacifist movement in a country still wrought with unsolved social and political issues. This never-ending search for justice and equality among the Chilean people may be best expressed by Chin Chin, a senior brigadista, whose firm belief is that (they) “can change the world”.