The National Museum of the American Indian of the Smithsonian brings its annual Indian Film Show that showcase indigenous people who are vindicating themselves through language, healing, community building and an ongoing relationship with the land.
The show provides a unique forum for the participation of filmmakers from indigenous communities throughout the Western Hemisphere and the Arctic.
Colombia will be represented in the film The Song of the Butterflies as part of the programming that includes a total of 47 films (seven feature films and 40 short films) representing 39 indigenous nations in 13 different countries: United States, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Mexico, Colombia, Chile, Guatemala, Peru, Brazil, Sweden, Greenland and the Solomon Islands.
The Song of the Butterflies tells the story of Rember Yahuarcani, an indigenous artist from the White Heron, a Uitoto Clan in Peru. His paintings are inspired by the stories his grandmother Martha told him before she died. She speaks to Rember in dreams guiding him in a spiritual journey back to the jungle. He first visits his parents, who are also artists, in the Peruvian jungle. And finally, he sails to La Chorrera, in Colombia, where he confronts the past and meets other members of his clan.
"By telling Yahuarcani’s story, The Song of the Butterflies essentially tells the story of Indigenous history and the Uitoto Nation’s unique culture and persistent challenges from economic interests encroaching on their ancestral practices. It’s an extraordinary story of resilience, creativity, devastation and art". Hollywood Soap box
In addition to the films, the show includes a series of prerecorded panel discussions with indigenous filmmakers and writers on all aspects of indigenous storytelling based on their own experiences.
With the exception of four of the feature films: Waikiki, Beans, The Song of the Butterflies and Run Woman Run, the films will be available for viewing worldwide. The full schedule, including information on geographic restrictions, is available online. The public can consult individual listings for dates and times.
"For the second year in a row, the museum will reach international audiences through our online presentation of the Indigenous Film Show," said Machel Monenerkit, interim director of the museum. "As the presence of indigenous writers and filmmakers in Hollywood grows, this show highlights the work that many continue to produce in their own communities, on their own terms."
Film and short film calendar for Mexico, Colombia, Chile, Guatemala, Peru and Brazil:
The Song of the Butterflies (Peru / Colombia, 2020, 65 min.)
Available from 1:01 a.m. ET, November 15 at 11:59 p.m. ET, November 16
This film can only be seen in the United States.
Spanish and Munuka with English subtitles.
What happened to the bees? (Mexico, 2019, 67 min.)
Available from 12:01 a.m. ET, November 13 at 11:59 p.m. ET, 14
November
Spanish and Mayan with English subtitles.
Short film programs
All short film programs will be available for the duration of the show from November 12 to 18.
Future Focused This family-friendly short film program is fun for kids of all ages.
Let´s Look at the Rainbow Again (Cuteem psawi wkaa sewja) (Mexico, 2020, 1 min.) Ko´lew with English subtitles.
La Pócima (Mexico, 2019, 7 min.) Spanish with English subtitles
"Home" Shorts Program
What is the meaning of home and how can it be found in many places?
Boca de Culebra (Mexico, 2020, 16 min.) Maya and MSL with English subtitles.
Meli (Chile, 2020, 20 min.) Mapuche and Spanish with English subtitles.
Yaõkwá, Imagen y Memoria (Brazil, 2020, 22 min.) Portuguese and Enawenê-Nawê with English subtitles.
Chuj Boys of Summer (United States / Guatemala, 2020, 16 min.) Chuj, Spanish and English with English subtitles.
"Our Stories" Shorts Program
The best of indigenous narrative told through history, language and tradition.
Sey Anchwi (Mundos Comunicados) (Colombia, 2020, 8 min.) Ikʉ with English subtitles.
"Rise Above" Shorts Program
The realities of overcoming adversity, loving yourself, and learning life's lessons.
Tarcila: Indigenous Solutions to Climate Change from Peru (USA / Peru, 2020, 13 min.) Spanish and Quechua with English subtitles.
