Directed by Jose Alvarez
An engrossing ethnographic work, Canicula is a study of the rich cultural heritage and traditions of the Totonac people of Veracruz, Mexico, who have resided in this region for thousands of years. Beautifully photographed, this documentary features rare footage of the Totonac's "voladores" ritual ("the flying dance"), named an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO.
In Spanish, the term 'canicula' refers to the forty most torrid days of the year. For the Totonac people, this period, known as the 'days of the bleeding sun,' is marked with important rites and ceremonies.
Employing an intimate, patient approach, director Jose ¨¢lvarez transports us to a small village in Zapotal, Santa Cruz, as preparations are underway for the annual rituals. We see young children learning a traditional dance; women kneading, molding and sculpting clay to produce the Totonac's gorgeous, signature pottery; and we observe young boys and men practicing the Voladores on the ground.
When the time comes, four boys and one elder will climb to the top of a pole that rises above the forest. The eldest will take his place at the very top, where he will perform a traditional song and dance. Then the four boys will cast themselves backwards, letting themselves fall , heads to the ground, only their feet tied by a rope, as they spin around the pole making their descent. It is a breathtaking sight, a ceremony of symbolic sacrifice and rebirth that dates back 500 years when it was first performed to appease the gods and end a devastating drought.
A striking anthropological documentary, Canicula emphasizes the importance of tradition in the preservation of culture and identity.
Reviews
~ "A gorgeous and captivating overview of the crafts and rituals of the Totonac people in Veracruz's Zapotal Santa Cruz community. Among the year's loveliest nonfiction entries¡ This tapestry of sights and sounds allows audiences to take notice of a proud, long-ignored tribal group whose cultural roots remain firmly intact." - Variety
~ "By illuminating the way in which humble materials can be elevated to mystic stature, Can¨ªcula becomes a hushed and beautiful contemplation of timelessness and transformation." - LA Times
~ "Its beauty moved me deeply. It's exciting because it is true, beautiful and poetic." - Alejando Gonz¨¢lez I?arritu, director of Babel, 21 Grams and Amores Perros
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