Rember Yahuarcani, an indigenous artist from an almost extinguished nation, returns to his grandmother’s land looking for inspiration and discovers why the stories of his ancestors cannot be forgotten.
Descendants of The White Heron Clan, an indigenous tribe in Perú where only two surviving generations remain, strive to keep their history alive through the spirits of their ancestors. Using art as a portal, their paintings, although magical and surreal, capture the most poignant pieces of tragedy including forced labor, torture, and bodies burned alive by white settlers.
Spirits are said to live through various animals like butterflies which rose from the ashes while bodies were being scorched to death. The spirit of the grandmother patriarch continues to send messages of inspiration to her grandchildren in hopes they will continue to preserve their rich culture. This story is mystical, captivating, and hypnotic, yet powerful and unforgettable. This is director Núria Frigola Torrent’s directorial feature debut and I can’t wait to see more from her.
Available to stream for free at pov.org until October 29th
