360 hostages. One crumbling prison. The inmates are suddenly in charge—now what?
A documentary chronicle of the prisoners’ takeover of the Garcia Moreno Penitentiary in Quito, Ecuador. The prisoners find they suddenly have a voice after they take 360 people hostage, and a pattern of abuse and corruption by the guards toward the prisoners becomes clear after lengthy negotiations.
Direction
Herrera's patient, unflinching observation of escalating desperation.
Editing
Cuts between hostage families and inmate leaders build unbearable tension.
Director
Mateo Herrera
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Garcia Moreno was infamous as Latin America's most overcrowded prison; this riot accelerated eventual closure in 2014.
Herrera filmed for 72 hours straight during the crisis itself; prisoners initially thought he was a government spy.
No ratings yet
Sign in to join the discussion — comments are spoiler-gated to your watch progress.
Discussion starters
ES
