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Poster for Materia Prima

Materia Prima

2026

New Energy. Old Powers?

Overview

Bolivia has the world's largest deposits of lithium, a metal that is essential for the energy transition. Without lithium, no electricity storage facility, no data centre, no electric car, no smartphone would work. The Europeans want the raw material to save their automotive industry. The Bolivians want it to combat poverty. While the Bolivian government negotiates with corporations from around the world, civil society groups are mobilising in rural areas, organised mainly by women. The film offers a rare insight into the Europeans' strategy to secure the sought-after material and carves out the conflicting interests towards extractivism and industrialisation in Bolivia.

Details

Status
Released
Release date
October 22, 2026
Original language
Spanish
Spoken languages
Aymara, English, Quechua, Spanish
Director
Jens Schanze
Cinematography
Börres Weiffenbach
Budget
Not recorded
Revenue
Not recorded
Materia Prima (2026) | Kinocult