Living on Credit 1972
Gustavo Alatriste's Living on Credit (1972) pulls back the curtain on the brutal realities faced by henequen workers trapped in the Citincabchén hacienda of Yucatán.
Director: Gustavo Alatriste
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Living on Credit (1972) about?
Living on Credit exposes the grinding poverty and systemic debt bondage of henequen plantation workers in Yucatán's Citincabchén hacienda during the 1970s. The film documents their daily struggle under a system that promises wages but delivers perpetual poverty.
Who directed Living on Credit?
Living on Credit was directed by Gustavo Alatriste, a filmmaker known for his socially conscious documentaries that give voice to marginalized communities.
Who stars in Living on Credit?
Director Gustavo Alatriste is the central creative force behind the film; cast details are not publicly listed.
Is Living on Credit (1972) worth watching?
As a documentary steeped in social realism, Living on Credit offers a rare glimpse into a dark chapter of labor history. While not a mainstream title, it rewards viewers seeking raw, unfiltered storytelling about economic injustice.
How long is Living on Credit?
The runtime of Living on Credit (1972) is 87 minutes.
About Living on Credit (1972) — A Hard Look at Debt and Desperation in Mexican Henequen Fields
Gustavo Alatriste's Living on Credit (1972) pulls back the curtain on the brutal realities faced by henequen workers trapped in the Citincabchén hacienda of Yucatán. This documentary doesn't just document history—it immerses viewers in the sweat, exhaustion, and quiet desperation of laborers bound by a system that leaves them forever indebted. Shot in stark, unflinching detail, the film captures the oppressive rhythms of plantation life, where survival is measured in endless toil and dwindling hope. Through stark visuals and stark truths, Alatriste crafts a searing portrait of economic servitude, where the promise of fair wages is as elusive as the horizon.
A work of social conscience rather than spectacle, Living on Credit (1972) belongs to the tradition of cinema that dares to confront power structures. It's not just about the past—it's a mirror held up to labor exploitation everywhere, a reminder that exploitation doesn't vanish with time, only transforms. For anyone drawn to documentaries that challenge complacency, this 87-minute film is both a historical artifact and a timeless witness.