Website: https://rostrosvenezolanos.com/
Similar to the previously described project, Rostros Venezolanos was initiated in October 2019 by two displaced Venezuelan journalists who have made their own migration experience:
“We are two Venezuelan journalists who met in Lima to carry out a project that seeks to show the good face of our compatriots in Peru. OndadigitalTV, a very small television channel in this country, but one that is huge for us, was the one that gave us the opportunity to produce this much-needed space within the community. After so many months doing very different jobs from the career that we had cultivated with so much effort in Venezuela, we decided not to miss the opportunity and move forward with this venture called Venezuelan Faces.”
(Source, viewed in 27.06.2021; own translation)
Rostros Venezolanos (Venezuelan Faces) is also present on different social media, but counts with less followers and subscribers than Diaspora Venezolana.
- YouTube (6.710 subscribers; 31.07.21)
- Instagram (11.900 followers; 31.07.21)
- Twitter (161 followers; 31.07.21)
- Facebook (6.814 subscribers; 31.07.21)
The project states itself as “the information window of the Venezuelan community in Peru”. On the one hand, it is offering useful information for the Venezuelan community (all types of formalities, etc.). On the other hand, a declared goal of this media project is the promotion of a positive image of Venezuelan people in Peru: “We will continue to show the positive side of our nationality. At Rostros Venezolanos we believe in our people who have traveled a thorny path called migration, and in Peruvian society that has given us a hand to contribute to the growth of this beautiful country that welcomes us.” (Source, viewed in 27.06.2021; own translation)
Rostros Venezolanos is a strongly personalised media project, with its initiators Génesis Castellanos and Pedro Rueda being a central part of its self-presentation. Their photo is part of the project banner. The About us website section is entitled “Starting a dream” and tells the personal story of both journalists. Génesis and Pedro are conducting all interviews together as a team, and usually, they are both present on the screen.
The aesthetics with lots of visual gadgets and frames are reminiscent of TV news channels. At the same time, the video quality is not always optimal. Most interviews are conducted via video calls. Interviews on the streets remain an exception (probably due to the pandemic). The faces of the interview partners are shown in a rather small format, and often not at the best angle, a fact that at the same time provides a touch of authenticity.
The project has quite a strong focus on successful small entrepreneurs (in such areas as tourism, gastronomy, fashion or spa, for example). There is even a separate playlist on YouTube with interviews from this category. The overall tone is extremely friendly and warm hearted. Important narratives are the gratitude to the Peruvian society and the emphasis on the hard work necessary to make one’s life in the new country a story of success. Typical quotes from interview partners would be: „You come to Peru to work“ or „I know it’s not easy, but it’s not impossible either“. The tough financial difficulties caused by the Covid-19 pandemic are also discussed, however, in a solution-oriented way.
Tags: Interviews
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