Had Enough - Mark McGowan

The Hooded Photographer

All photos by Hans Scott


























interview with Hans Scott


Where did you take these pictures?
In Santiago, Chile

What else can you tell me?
Well that, recently from what I see, we've lost the fear of rebellion. We fight with both heart and stone

Things are still pretty spicey then?
Recently the guys have lost the fear of the government's reprisals which have been placed on to those that strike against police officers. Things are still pretty heated even though many students have gone back to class

How many have been jailed?
9895 people have been detained between March 1st and 30th August

That's a hell of a load - How many have been released?
Look, most are released on the same day but that's after many hours of being abused and humiliated

So they beat them up?
Well one time they smothered, felt and abused some girls

Do you consider yourself a Die Hard? As in one that doesn't give in and throws stones?
What as in a hoodie, well in a certain way I am allied to them. Im not a hoodie but a photographer, though I am on their side. I side with their fight and with their objectives, and that's what I try to reflect in my pictures

What are the objectives of the Hoodies?
The same ones most people want

That being free good schooling for everyone?
Yeah, the thing is that the hoodies fight in way that is politically incorrect. Many in society say it is also incorrect. I don't know if I should be speaking of anarchy, but it's certainly a radicalization

Do you think it's incorrect?
Not at all. I think the government satanises the hoodies and society unconsciously falls in their little game, of satanising the one that fights throwing stones. But what they don't realise is that the police also hits, shoots and kills. That's what you see on the street. And that's what the government wants to hide

Do you think there are parallels to the repression during the time of Pinochet?
Look I was born when Pinocchio fell, but seeing documentaries, photos and speaking to the people that lived through it, I feel we are going through something similar. We are still in a type of masked dictatorship. A legalised dictatorship under the false name of democracy

Well I am not sure I can differentiate that with any other country..but what does Chile have that Peru and Argentina don't?
I'm not sure but they should, it would be great if all countries joined in the search of social justice

It would be great but I'm afraid apathy rules
What I am saying is that the government fills its mouth with talk that we are a democracy, that it supposedly does what the people ask. Piñera goes abroad saying that we are an advanced country and that the student voice is being heard. But his change is only comes in favour of the multinationals and big business

Well at least you guys are united, your organizations are incomparable to the ones of neighbouring countries or even to those in Europe
Yes at least we have a structure. We have university and secondary school leaders and teachers also. They are the ones that take the demands onto the politicians. Although there are those that aren't in favour of with the leaders because they side with opposition parties. The root to the problem is the whole political class

In that they are elitist?
Totally!

Including the left-leaning Bachelets?
Of course, during their governance for example they started the 'transantiago'; a 'new' transport service, that today is a complete shamble. Broken down buses and trains. Rising ticket prices. Not to mention that they also profited from the education system

What I find odd is that that battle is the same in most countries, yet in Chile you somehow got it together
Disparities are everywhere and often the same. And most countries are still gripped by capitalism where governments side with commercial monopolies before siding with the people

Yes but what is worse is that most people are turned off
The worst form of violence is shutting up and staying quiet. And of not saying anything while they shit in front of your noses


all photo rights to Hans Scott

The War Game - Peter Watkins (1965)

Underworld U.S.A. (1961)

F For Fake - entire film

F for Fake is the last major film completed by Orson Welles, who directed, co-wrote, and starred in the film. Initially released in 1974, it focuses on Elmyr de Hory's recounting of his career as a professional art forger; de Hory's story serves as the backdrop for a fast-paced, meandering investigation of the natures of authorship and authenticity, as well as the basis of the value of art. Loosely a documentary, the film operates in several different genres and has been described as a kind of film essay.

Far from serving as a traditional documentary on Elmyr de Hory, the film also incorporates Welles's companion Oja Kodar, notorious "hoax-biographer" Clifford Irving, and Orson Welles himself, in an autobiographical role.

C HOP ARE YOU STILL ALIVE?

In Oct 2008 I started researching a drug called Nembutal, otherwise known as the Peaceful Pill. This Drug was apparently easy to purchase in Tijuana, Mexico at certain veterinarians and would cause an instant painless death. I noticed it was something mentioned at suicide forums, and began discussing it with those who wanted to get their hands on it.

A certain C Hop was the keenest of all. It was he who wrote back. It is only now, three years later, that I have decided to publish.

Dear Mr Hop,

I read something you wrote on a website and was intrigued with your story as to why you want to take Nembutal and end your life. Are you in pain? How certain are you that you want to follow this through? Did anyone reply with the exact location as where to buy the product?

from another dimension,

Lali Cienfuegos

--

Dear Lali,

Before I tell you more - please explain to me who you are? thankyou

C Hop

--

I live in Lima, Peru and am half English. My father died a few years ago of cancer; had I known of the drug then, I may have taken a trip to Mexico. Recently an uncle of mine committed suicide - the circumstances as to why he took that decision were very clinical. I am intrigued, not in a sadist way, but in that moment that separates life and death, and leads someone to make such a decision. Ever since I read Camus - The Myth of Sisyphus - I have been tickled by this existentialist conundrum.

Would you go to Mexico to fulfill this?

L.C.

---

Dear Lali, I will definitely write you to tell you the whole story. Can you answer this though? Whats it like in Mexico for accessing Nembutal, or other prescription drugs like lorazepam, valium etc?

Cheers C. Hop

---

Lali,

I said I would write to you and tell you my story, and hopefully give you a better understanding of what causes someone to choose death over life. I am sorry to hear about the deaths in your family, my father committed suicide when I was 15yrs old - they didnt find his body for another 3 yrs, which was found at one of my favourite beaches. It was tough to deal with a suicide of someone close, however dealing with that suicde was nothing compared to dealing with depression to this level. Thats not to say that dealing with death is easy. From memory he died of an overdose of serapax - oxazapam i think. which is the way I was originally going to do it and by the looks of it will, as it seems impossible to access Nembutal. I only heard of Nembutal over the internet as a potent drug that kills instantly.

I developed depression at 24, and at the time it wasn't too bad - I could still work and enjoy life to a certain degree. It wasn't bought on by any life event, it just crept up on me - so I gather that I was lucky enough to inherit it from dad.By the age of 27, things were getting worse and I went on anti-depressants and started councilling etc. I left my job and stayed at home and took on renovating as an interest. I thought the anti depressants were working around the age of 28, so I decided to move to the other side of Australia and start a fishing charter. It did ok, however the depression was still there the whole time, i just wasnt aware of it. It got me in the end - 2 yrs and I sold the charter and returned home for help. I am 32 now, and have been chasing help intensively now for 4 long yrs. I have tried all antidepressants, physcology, been hospitalised 2 times, had ECT - shock therapy ( 1 mnth ago ) 23 times which is alot compared to the average person - this did not work and has made me lose most of my memory( short and long term ) and has given me seizures, which has made me lose my drivers licence.

So as you can see I have fought very, very hard at this illness for a long time, and now I am at a stage where I can not fight any more.

What makes you choose between life and death? Well, in my case, it is the constant pain both physically and mentally related to the depression. But also seeing your closest loved ones who you care about so much, and used to have fun and enjoy doing things with - in pain. Especially my wife of 14 yrs - who is the most caring and bubbly person in the world. She has been dragged through hell with me for so long and has supported me emotionally and financially. We still love each other to the point where it hurts. To love someone so much and not be able to enjoy life in the basic ways - hugging, a kiss, a smile, a walk on the beach etc is a terrible thing. And now it has got to a point where I can see her mood and personality starting to slide down hill. it has got to a point where we love each other but are so close to splitting up for her health. It's a crushing feeling and just adds to the pain of the depression. So to answer your question - I have told you most of my story in brief, so as to hope that you may be able to feel my feelings to a degree and then see that all the good things in life don't exist, and therefore dont count - the pain is the only thing I wake up to and spend all day feeling. Therefore I choose death - I see it as an end to all this suffering. I appologise if this offends, but i don't believe there is a god or there is life after death. I believe and seek comfort in the fact that death is death. Once you die everything stops - feelings, memories, pain - everything. So why wouldn't I choose this option?? No I don't want to hang around anymore and wait for a cure or a drug - as I have been told this for many years. No I don't want to hang around so that I can talk and help others with depression - I would love to if my depression eased a bit, but thats not reality.

I hope I havent bored you, but I do hope that I have helped in answering your question about what motivates a person to choose between life and death.

And I will ask again as I am finding it very hard to access any drugs on the net, and it is hard to get to doctors over here when you live in the country and have no vehicle or licence to drive. I would have to go to at least 5 doctors to get the tablets I need. Can you get any drugs such as Serapax, Oxazapam, Valium, Diazapam, or especially lorazepam - I think also known as Activan (not sure). I will pay you for your efforts and the drugs, and pay you first of course so you can trust me! I need 100 of either of those drugs. You would help me out greatly. You don't have to give any names to me or on the medications - just have to post/send them anonymously. Or do you know someone that could get them for me. There are alot of internet pharmacies but I don't trust them, but if you can't help I will have no choice but to send them money in the hope they will send me something. I really don't want to end my life by cutting myself or hanging my self - I want to die in peace- I think I deserve that at least.

Once again thankyou very much for listening and hopefully helping,

C. Hop

---

Dear C. Hop,

I have read your letter various times, and not been able to reply. I am, as you may imagine, somewhat lost for words. I cannot picture the things you have been through. Thank you more than anything for opening out like you did. I will say, straight off, that I am afraid I will not help you obtain those drugs you ask for - moral dilemma. From the abstraction of geography and the internet I wont fully be able to give you any sound advice I'm sure. But please hear me out. I hope you do give life another chance. Perhaps leave to another country. Living in a third world country, life and death take on new parallels. Seek simplicity. Is it possible to be the master of the beast that haunts you?

(I could carry on pasting what I put but I won't, C Hop never replied, I hope you are there somewhere C Hop in peace)

The Money Exchanger

In a city of 9 million people, one of the oddest jobs on the streets of Lima is that of the 'money-changer'. These men stand outside supermarkets and cash machines, like portable banks, and often offer a better rate. They normally work in herds so as to not to get robbed, however, one of them, Lucho (pictured above) opts to always work one block from the rest.

interview by Céline Wald

What is your name and where are you from?
My name is Luis Hernan Cornejo Salinas and I’m from Lima.

And what do people call you?
Lucho

How long have you worked here?
More or less 10 years.

Describe a normal day
I wake up at 8:30, I shower and I leave to go to work at nine. I eat breakfast in the street. I eat out mostly, I only eat dinner at home. I go to the local bakery and there I’ll have a sandwich, a juice for breakfast, things like that. From there, I come here to work until 6:00 at night. I eat lunch here in this chifa or a restaurant around here.

Do you have any preferences, are you a regular at any places around here.
No no, I eat wherever.

Why do you think you have more clients than the other money-changers? Why do you think most people in this neighbourhood come to you?
Well…because of the way I treat them. I always treat people like friends instead of customers. It’s the way you treat people.

Why do you think people give you this confidence?
I think it’s just the way I treat them you know? It’s all about the way you treat people.

Why do you work here on this corner alone rather than working alongside the other money-changers on that corner?
Because I like solitude. I like being alone, I’ve always been doing things alone. For my entire life.

And why do you think the other money-changers don’t come into your corner?
Well, it could be because I’ve never tried to have hold a friendship with them. You know, they’re collegues, nothing more…nothing more.

And do you have any ‘friends’ around here?
Look, I don’t think that friends exist. The only friends I have are my father and my mother. Apart from that…friends just don’t exist. Only acquaintances exist, nothing more, I don’t know, It’s something particular that I believe you know?

Do you consider your children as your friends? Your cousins? Uncles?
Of course, they’re my friends. My family consists of my son and my wife.

Do you know the tamal seller, who has her stall across from you?
Yes, I’ve known her for years…I’ve known her for more than 10 years. Even before I started working here.

Do you ever buy her tamales?
Yes, I always buy her tamales

Do you know her name?
No, no no no, like I said, I don’t really like to go “in depth” with people.
.....

When is your day-off?
I don’t have a day off you know

When you’re not working, what do you like to do?
I cook

Are you a good cook?
Yes, I cook and I watch some television…or read a book no.

What’s your favorite dish?
Ceviche

And can you cook ceviche?
Yes, everything, I can cook anything.

Is it common in Peru for men to cook at home?
I think it is. There are a lot of people, men who cook. I’ve cooked since I was a youth, since I was a youth.

Out of pleasure or necessity?
No, because I’ve always liked to cook. I’ve always liked to cook.

What do you like most about your job?
What do I like most about my job?...Well, earning money (laughs)...yeah earning money

And what do you like least about your job?
Well, it’s a risky job as well no? It’s a very risky job. Because of this job, I have a grand-daughter who got shot and she’s recuperating right now, thanks to god. This is what I don’t like about my job, the risk, it’s very risky.

What happened and when?
About a year and a half ago, I went to go pick up my cash load for the day unaware that I was being watched. I was in my car with my wife and my grand-daughter. A car stopped in front of us and several men approached us with guns demanding my wad of cash. I resisted and then, out of nowhere, one of them shot my 3 yr old granddaughter in the neck. She survived but became tetraplegic. It’s the worst thing that has ever happened in my entire life.

And how are you holding up today?
Well, I’m seeing that my grand-daughter is recuperating little by little no. But this…psychologically, I always/still have my depression you know. Moments in which I feel bad you know, you know, I don’t have happiness.

But you still continue working as a money-changer here?
I have to work. It’s something that you just can’t avoid. You just can’t avoid it. Life goes on so they say no? I mean, I have to work even more for her so that she can recuperate faster and go forward with life faster.

And do you have any plans for the future?
Plans? I don’t think one can make plans. You can’t plan and forsee things. I live the daily life. Of course I have prospects you know, plans you know. But like I said, in reality, you live today’s day, not tomorrows.

What is something that people should know about Lima?
Well, it’s a very attractive country. It’s a country that has good people, well as well as bad people, like in any place you know. But it’s a country with lot’s of good people, lot’s of collaborators.

What do you like most about Lima?
What do I like most about Lima? Well, I like a lot of places you know. Like the Parque de la Leyendas (the local zoo), where I used to always go with my niece, with Romina, I used to go to the parque de las leyendas, you know, I always used to go with her. She’s the only person who has always accompanied me my entire life. She’s the best thing that god has given me and I hope that she gets well soon. But that is what I like most, the parque de las leyendas where I always used to go with her.

CRACK KIDS BRAZIL

A group of journalists are taken on a tour to Rio's infamous 'Cracolandia'. The report focuses on Rio's new contentious strategy to intern children addicted to crack.