Florida Premiere / Peru, Bolivia, Germany and Bolivia / 2024 / English / 61 min / Documentary
Country of Production: Peru
Shooting Locations: Peru, Bolivia, Germany and Brazil
Director: Roberto Pazos; Producer: Steve Hunsicker.
Website: https://www.thegringamovie.com
The Gringa & the Musician follows the true story of Aune Hartmann, a German environmentalist who traveled to Peru to support clean-water projects in high Andean communities. While working near Lake Titicaca, she formed a complicated relationship with a local musician — a relationship that later became central to the investigation into her disappearance. When Aune vanishes, her family and friends launch a desperate search that quickly exposes serious gaps in Peruvian and Bolivian law enforcement.
The documentary takes viewers through the cross-border investigation, combining on-the-ground reporting, interviews, and official case records. As the story unfolds, it reveals conflicting testimony, bureaucratic failures, and a criminal process that stalled despite clear leads. Filmed across Peru, Bolivia, Germany, and Brazil, the film provides a clear look at how cultural misunderstandings and weak legal coordination can derail the pursuit of justice.
Covered extensively by media in both Peru and Germany, Aune’s case drew international attention and public pressure, eventually prompting authorities to revisit aspects of the investigation. The film captures this renewed push for answers while showing the emotional toll on the people closest to her.
More than a missing-person case, The Gringa & the Musician examines the human consequences of inaction and indifference. It invites audiences to consider how easily a case can fade — and what it takes to bring the truth back into view.
Director Bio: Roberto Pazos is an award winning filmmaker, writer, and director whose work blends humor, heart, and culturally driven storytelling. An international network television journalist, book author, and host, Pazos draws from personal experience to explore themes of identity, coming of age, and human connection. His films are marked by a distinct yet accessible voice, and he continues to develop independent projects that balance intimate storytelling with broad audience appeal.
Special Guests: Director Roberto Pazos and Producer Steve Hunsicker