Mother's Day In Cuetzalan: Panchita the Weaver 2000
Distributed by Filmakers Library, 124 East 40th Street, New York, NY 10016; 202-808-4980
Producer n/a
Directed by Judith Gleason
VHS, color, 60 min.
College - Adult
Anthropology
Date Entered: 11/09/2018
Reviewed by Elise Vidal, Thomas Branigan Library, Las Cruces, NMPachita is self reliant in her struggle to support her family with her weaving: but she and other indigenous people are increasingly marginalized by the government. Their land is being destroyed with pollution.
Panchita is a champion weaver who is limited to selling her wares to tourists and, at that, she is allowed only one day a week to do so, by the Mexican government.
We hear her story though her and her husbands own words. We are introduced to "the Voice Of Sierra" - the popular broadcast that links the indigenous community.
While the film was informative and while Panchita, herself, is a joy to listen to, the film was a bit disjointed. The issues are introduced, i.e. environmental damage, economic restrictions, and cultural traditions, and while any of these things could be the theme of the film, there isn't enough information on any one topic. The music is beautiful and we get a real sense how rural and lush life is in Topango. Mother’s Day in Cuetzalan