A Colombian artist and guitarist transforms guns into musical instruments and helps disaffected youth become advocates for demilitarization.
Guitarist César López’s home country, Colombia, has been plagued by civil war for the past five decades. Conflicts between the state, left-wing guerrillas, and shadowy ranks of for-hire paramilitaries have resulted in entrenched violence. Inspired to make his art part of the solution, López created the escopetarra, a guitar that is made from an AK-47, the most used rifle in the world. As he says, “If the weapon, which was designed to kill, if its use can be changed, then why can’t humans change too?” This short film highlights López’s efforts to reign in militarism in his country through music and political activism.