Documentary Screenings and Discussions To Take Place at Light Hall Theater
Silver City, NM – Five world-renowned Mexican folk artists will be highlighted, and the history of the agave plant will be told through the Transcending Borders film and discussion series at the Western New Mexico University ¡Fiesta Latina!, which runs June 21 – 23, 2019, on the WNMU campus (1000 W. College Ave.).
Each film in the free series will be screened at Light Hall Theater. The audience may take part in discussions with the artisans or filmmakers following each film.
“I wanted to give attendees a feel for the intensity of the work that goes into this art,” said WNMU Assistant to the President for Cultural Affairs Faye McCalmont, who organizes ¡Fiesta Latina!
“Agave is Life” screens on Friday, June 21, at 6 p.m. The hour-long film details the history of the agave plant in the cultures of Mexico and the American Southwest from pre-Columbian people through the present.
On Saturday, June 22, four films will be shown, starting with the U.S. premier of “Tlakimilolli: Voices of the Loom” at 10:30 a.m. In the Nahuatl language with English subtitles, “Tlakimilolli” explores the struggles and culture of the indigenous women weavers of Sierra de Zongolica. The filmmaker will bring examples of the women’s work.
At noon, “Atlachinolli — Music of World Wood Day 2016 Nepal” remembers when a group of musicians and dancers from Mexico brought their ancient traditional wooden instruments and colorful costumes and dances to World Wood Day 2016. Naucualti Atlachinolli will perform at ¡Fiesta Latina! immediately following the film.
“Master Makers — Angel Ortiz from Tonala” screens at 4:30 p.m. It spotlights a man who grew up in a family of ceramists in Jalisco. Just as he learned the trade from his grandparents, he taught his descendants, one of which will be on-hand with Angel to discuss their work.
At 5 p.m. on Saturday, “Xoxopastli in the Magical Village of Malinalco — Camelia Ramos” follows the story of five generations of knowledge of award-winning rebozo backstrap loom weaving. This family lives and works in the pueblo of Malinalco, one of Mexico’s most important weaving centers.
Finally, “Maque España — Martina Navarro” screens Sunday, June 23, at 2 p.m. The film is about traditional maque (lacquerware) artist, Martina of the Purapecha culture of Michoacán. Maque is a decorative technique consisting of applying natural pigments and oils on bowls, boxes and trays then etching designs before the piece dries.
Transcending Borders is sponsored by the Town and Country Garden Club, and entry is free. For more information about this summer’s edition of ¡Fiesta Latina!, visit fiestalatina.org or call 575-538-6469.