Guinea Pig Adventures

Guinea Pig Adventures screened on May 30, 2026, as part of commemorations to mark the 56th anniversary of the landslide disaster and the 55th anniversary of the town that was built to replace the buried city. The students and filmmakers travelled from their village of Yanamito to Yungay, the capital of the province, to share their work with the community.

This was also an opportunity to reflect on the aims of our project. After May 31, 1970—following the devastating earthquake and avalanche that struck Áncash, and the province of Yungay in particular — there emerged many stories of resilience, empathy, and solidarity among memories of horror and devastation. Over fifty years later, we wanted to see how these stories translate into regional pride through the eyes of children. In particular, we were interested in better understanding how these children perceive their surroundings that are so beautiful but that also harbor danger. We sought to grasp how—in the wake of the 1970 tragedy—iconic sites like the Huascarán snow-capped peak, the Campo Santo memorial site, and the Queshu architectural complex symbolize local identities. We also wanted to reflect on the generosity of those who helped the landsldie survivors during such trying times.

The idea behind Guinea Pig Adventures was to help children develop the skills to create their own stories set in their immediate environment and to see these on the big screen. This collobaroation offered a way for young people to see themselves in the landscape, to celebrate the province’s cultural heritage, and to come together as a community to applaud solidarity and local talent. We think the film encapsulates this perfectly. You can watch it here.