On the Edge Issue #30

Documentary examines the interconnected causes for mass murders Juarez women

By Angie Vo
Published: December 1st, 2006 | 12:00am

Truth and justice are two things you would expect in a murder investigation, yet more than 400 young, poor women and their families in Juarez are getting the opposite. Since the 1990s, hundreds of women in Juarez, Mexico, have gone missing, only to be found tortured, raped, and murdered.

On the Edge: The Femicide of Ciudad Juarez,

a documentary by Steev Hise, details how economic and social issues feed the cycle of killings that, for the most part, remain unsolved.

Hise, a U.S. filmmaker and activist, first became aware of the Juarez situation about three years ago from reports in mainstream media. He read an interview his friend conducted with Jessica Marques, the president of the Mexican Solidarity Network, and traveled to Juarez in 2004 to begin filming.

“Originally, I just planned to do a short film, a 12-minute piece documenting the process,” Hise says. “Once I was there, I realized what a huge problem it was and thought it really deserved a lot more attention.” Hise interviewed members of victims’ families and various officials, most of which is seen in the 58-minute DVD.

Hise mentions that an upcoming movie starring Jennifer Lopez will highlight the Juarez situation but says the film will be “predictably cheesy and typical Hollywood fare,” and though it will bring the issue some attention, On the Edge strives to those affected by the murders firsthand a true say in the matter.

On the Edge is being screened at a handful of locations across the U.S. and on Free Speech TV. DVD copies are available for $13 from Illegal Art (illegalart.net/juarez). Visit political.detritus.net/juarezj for more information.