The Tree of Life
by Bruce "Pacho" Lane

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Movie Reviews of The Tree of Life

Movie Review: Democracia Indigena - "Indian Theology" at work
Summary: 5 Stars

Summary of The Tree of Life

"Los Voladores" (the Flyers) is a 1500 year-old rite sacred to Quetzalcoatl, the Morning Star. From its origins on the Gulf coast of Mexico, the ritual spread throughout Mesoamerica: a special square was reserved for it in Tenochtitlan, the Aztec capital, and a variant is still known among the Quiche' Maya in Guatemala.

Today "Los Voladores" is best known in its original home in the Huasteca region, especially among the Totonac, who have lived in the area for millenia. The version shown in "THE TREE OF LIFE" is from Huehuetla, in the Sierra Norte de Puebla.

THE TREE OF KNOWLEDGE (25 min) contrasts two systems of education. The public school system uses patriotic symbols to "integrate" Indian pupils into the national culture while teaching them to reject their own identity. In contrast, the "Danza de los Huehues" urges young Totonacs to learn from the school, yet warns them not to abandon their own culture.

INDIAN DEMOCRACY (37 min) examines the rights revolution of Indian Mexico and the liberating role of "Indian Theology". "We have been to school, we have learned Spanish. Now you must stop treating us like animals. Our gods were here first, and we are proud to be Indians."

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