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Chiapas Women Weave Tradition and Art
23 Feb
Summary
- Tzotzil women maintain pastoral life through hand shearing and traditional crafts.
- The documentary highlights a deep connection between the community and nature.
- Women share experiences of discrimination and gender inequality.
A meditative documentary filmed in the lush hills of Chiapas, Mexico, captures the daily rituals of the indigenous Tzotzil women. These women maintain a pastoral lifestyle, continuing traditions such as hand-shearing sheep and spinning yarn using natural dyes for fabrics.
The film visually emphasizes the profound connection between the Tzotzil community and their natural environment, illustrating a respectful use of resources. However, it also addresses contemporary challenges, with women speaking about ongoing discrimination and internal gender inequality.
Filmmaker Gabriela Domínguez Ruvalcaba uses the documentary as a bridge to explore communities not covered in her upbringing. The film also features a unique moment where the Tzotzil women turn the ethnographic gaze back on the filmmaker, commenting on her camera setup, likening filmmaking to their own artisanal weaving craft.
