From Purépecha to Mazahuas: 4 Must-See Documentaries About the Indigenous Experience in Mexico
Photo: Mariana Yampolsky
In case you missed the first program of Sebastián Díaz’s Proyector film series, you still have enough time to catch the second part of this momentous showcase of contemporary Mexican cinema. Granted, this fall’s four films have very little to do with the artistically-minded docu-fiction hybrids that characterized last spring’s survey of Axolote Cine, but it will definitely continue building on the series’ thoughtful reflection on the state of representation in Mexican film.
Screening through December at Harlem’s renowned Maysles Cinema, the upcoming program has been titled Digging the Roots of a Denied Civilization, and takes on a handful of documentaries that provide diverse visions of indigenous life in 21st century Mexico. With a collective pedigree that includes prizes at the Morelia, Los Angeles, and Raindance Film Festivals, these four films promise to give a nuanced and surprising look into the state of indigenous life in a country that has tended to erase, discredit, or romanticize these narratives.
The four films in Digging the Roots also display a special connection to nature as they take on themes of family, identity, and aging, with stories of drought, poison, and daily struggle. Here’s a list of the films New York audiences can look forward to seeing starting this weekend.
Proyector Program 2: Digging the Roots of a Denied Civilization starts on November 8 at the Maysles Cinema and runs through December 13, 2015.
