Director: George Walker Torres
Screenplay: George Walker Torres, Sebastián Sepúlveda
Producers: George Walker Torres, Rafael Marziano, Francisco Pena Arteaga, Beatriz Ciliberto

In the Caribbean mountains of Venezuela, stands Colonia Tovar, a Bavarian town in the heart of the tropics. Built in the XIX century by German peasants, today it has become a prosperous German theme park for tourists. Maria, a Venezuelan woman, lives in Colonia Tovar’s garbage dump. Separated from her daughter, Joana, Maria survives collecting cans and bottles. This film is the story of her struggle for survival and to get back Joana. A story of neglect and innocence: Maria’s, Joana’s, but also that of the first German settlers who dreamt of a paradise in this New World.

Festivals & Awards

2009 Santiago Film Festival
2009 Black Docufest, Atlanta
2009 Nova Friburgo Environmental Film Festival

George Walker Torres

George Walker Torres was born in Caracas, Venezuela. He studied film directing in La Femis, Paris. He participated in The American Film Institute’s masters program on screenwriting. He has written and directed several short films that premiered at various international film festivals. “Maria and the New World” is his first feature documentary.

Filmography

2009 Maria ve Yeni Dünya/Maria and the New World
2000 La Nuit Circulaire (short)
1998 L'est (short)
1997 Unter Wegs: Un Film Sur Paul Celan (short documentary)
1997 La Pierre (short)