Indigenous Wisdom Meets Science in New Film

The documentary Daughters of the Forest embarks on a profound exploration of the natural world, blending indigenous knowledge with scientific inquiry. Set deep within Mexico's forests, the film centers on two young mycologists who bridge their ancestral understanding of nature with contemporary scientific training.

This immersive documentary, which premiered at CPH:DOX and had its North American debut at SXSW, invites viewers on a speculative journey. It reconsiders human perception and the interconnectedness of all inhabitants, both human and non-human, offering a unique perspective on ecological coexistence.

Director Otilia Portillo Padua was inspired by Ursula K. Le Guin's "The Carrier Bag Theory of Fiction" and a desire to counter apocalyptic narratives. The film aims to foster interdisciplinary alliances, collaborating with foragers, indigenous communities, scientists, and artists to cultivate a vision of regeneration and reciprocity, rather than domination.

Executive producers highlight the film's expansion of perspectives, challenging linear paths to knowledge. They emphasize how Daughters of the Forest weaves together academic, generational, and cultural learnings, presenting science and indigenous wisdom not as opposing forces but as complementary wisdom traditions moving hand in hand.