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Heart of Sky, Heart of Earth
The stories of six young Maya are juxtaposed with our shortsighted exploitation of the Earth.
Video: Trailer
Overview
Genre
Human Rights, Environment, Human Interest, Foreign Worlds, and Nature
Synopsis
The great cycle of the ancient Mayan calendar has ended. How does the story end? Do the oceans collapse? Does the sky fall as the last tree is cut? The remote homelands of the present day Maya in Mexico and Guatemala present a perfect microcosm to show how unhindered globalization is already destroying the Earth and indigenous cultures now under attack for their natural resources from all sides. Heart of Sky, Heart of Earth presents another worldview, following six young Maya into their daily and ceremonial life, revealing their determination to resist the destruction of their culture and environment. They put forth a wholly indigenous perspective in their own words, without narration. Each touches upon a facet of the current global crisis. Beautifully filmed, the intimate accounts and experiences of the protagonists interweave with images associated with the fragile beauty of nature and the sacred creation myth of the Popol Vuh.
Stage
finished
Running time
98 minutes
Links
Official Website
Heart of Sky, Heart of Earth Official Website
Credits
Frauke Sandig
... Author, Director, Producer (with Eric Black)
Eric Black
... Director, Producer, Camera
Grete Jentzen
... Editor
Brigit Mulders
... Line Producer
Florina Mendoza
... Assistant Director
Arturo Pantaleón
... Composer
Production Details
Prod. Co.
Eric Black & Frauke Sandig Umbrella Films
Production years
2011
Locations
Mexico, Guatemala
Prod. Partners
Frauke Sandig Umbrella Films & Eric Black, Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg, FFA, DFFF, EED, EZEF, ITVS
Distribution Details
Release year
2011
Festivals
Dok Leipzig, IDFA (Masters Section), Havana IFF, Thessaloniki IFF, Planete Doc Warsaw, Festival of Human Rights Geneva, Cine Latino Toulouse, ZagrebDox, Muestra de Cine Guatemala, Guanajuato IFF, Documentarist, Vancouver IFF, Mill Valley FF, DOCS DF
Awards
First Prize Planet in Focus Festival, Toronto; Premio Pukanawi Int. Human Rights Fest. Bolivia; Audience Award German Nature Film Prize, Special Jury Mentions DOCS DF, Mex., International Film Festival on Human Rights Geneva, DerHumAlc Buenos Aires
Distribution
Theatrical Release in Germany: Piffl Medien, DVD: Good Movies, World Sales: Film Republic, Educational USA: Bullfrog Films
Broadcast (Prod.)
ZDF 3SAT, ITVS
Language
Spanish, Maya
Subtitles
English, German, Spanish
Video: Trailer
Overview
Genre
Human Rights, Environment, Human Interest, Foreign Worlds, and NatureSynopsis
The great cycle of the ancient Mayan calendar has ended. How does the story end? Do the oceans collapse? Does the sky fall as the last tree is cut? The remote homelands of the present day Maya in Mexico and Guatemala present a perfect microcosm to show how unhindered globalization is already destroying the Earth and indigenous cultures now under attack for their natural resources from all sides. Heart of Sky, Heart of Earth presents another worldview, following six young Maya into their daily and ceremonial life, revealing their determination to resist the destruction of their culture and environment. They put forth a wholly indigenous perspective in their own words, without narration. Each touches upon a facet of the current global crisis. Beautifully filmed, the intimate accounts and experiences of the protagonists interweave with images associated with the fragile beauty of nature and the sacred creation myth of the Popol Vuh.