FEATURE-LENGTH CARTOONS:
	THE EMPEROR'S NEW GROOVE Walt Disney Studios. Director: Mark Dindal Art directors: Thomas Cardone, Thomas Stimpson 2000. 77 minutes. Rated G. Setting: Ancient Incan Empire Language: English Availability: DVD	This entertaining comedy could have taken place anywhere, and at any time-- or at least, wherever there is a bratty emperor threatening to demolish peasant lands in order to build a royal swimming pool. John Goodman is the peasant Pacha who befriends the emperor (David Spade) who has been turned into a llama. The film shows very little of Incan culture except for the wonderful backgrounds, which creatively play upon motifs of Incan art and architecture. Eartha Kitt and Patrick Warburton also provide voices, and Sting wrote an original song for this film, which came out the same year as the very similar The Road to El Dorado. The sequel, Kronk's New Groove (2005), besides showing the usual decline in quality you'd expect from a sequel, sheds the Incan theme altogether--it could pass for an episode of The Flintstones.
	LA LEYENDA DE LA NAHUALA (The Legend of the Nahuala) Director: Ricardo Arnaiz. Writers: Antonio Garci, Omar Mustre. 2007. 82 minutes. Setting: Ciudad de Puebla, 1802. Language: Spanish Availability: DVD	On the Day of the Dead in 1802, an easily-frightened boy named Leo must enter a haunted house to rescue his brother Nando, who has been captured by La Nahuala, a creatured from old Poblano legends. There is one Indian character, Xochitl, who is a ghost in the house, and other themes and images from indigenous or mestizo traditions. Unique, beautifully animated, with a great cast of characters. The DVD includes many extra features, including games for kids. Sinopsis en español: Ambientada en Puebla el año de 1807, La leyenda de la Nahuala cuenta la historia de Leo San Juan, un niño que vive eternamente asustado por las historias de terror que le cuenta Nando, su hermano mayor. Entre ellas está “La Leyenda de la Nahuala”, según la cual, una vieja Casona abandonada se encuentra poseída por el espíritu de una malvada bruja conocida como la Nahuala, que espera el alma de un niño inocente para resucitar y obtener poder absoluto. La Leyenda se convierte en realidad cuando el espíritu de la Nahuala secuestra a Nando y Leo se ve obligado a vencer todos sus miedos para rescatar a su hermano. En su recorrido por el interior de la Casona Embrujada, Leo se enfrentará a peligros, seres sobrenaturales, y descubrirá que esa casona esconde una terrible historia que pone en grave peligro no sólo la vida de Leo y Nando, también tranquilidad de toda la Ciudad de Puebla.
	MARTIN FIERRO: LA PELICULA Aleph Media/Maiz Producciones Directors: Norman Ruiz, Liliana Romero Writer/designer: Roberto Fontanarrosa Animators: Iván Pizarro, Liliana Romero, Mariano Sister Music: Mauro Lázaro, Fernando Pécora 2007. 88 minutes. 2.35:1. Setting: Patagonia, 19th century Language: Spanish Indian Content: medium-low Availability: region 4 DVD	Argentina's national epic poem El Gaucho Martín Fierro (1872), written by José Hernández (1834-1886), is colorfully brought to life in this dramatic, suspenseful film. The tale laments the fallen heroism of the gauchos--Argentine cowboys--when the goverment expanded into the west and hired poor ranchers to drive out of the indigenous peoples, who are here presented as the enemy, although Fierro's wife and children are also indigenous. As the epic was rooted in the oral tradition of payadas, the folksongs of the gauchos, the music in this film is appropriately sumptuous, evoking the cold, howling plains. The artwork, designed by popular cartoonist Roberto Negro Fontanarrosa, is also excellent. Martín Fierro, la película is one of several adaptations of the epic (and not the first animated version). The DVD released by SBP Video is region 4. It plays perfectly on a computer. Subtitles in Spanish and English, with about an hour of making-of features. Sinopsis en español: La pampa argentina vive tiempos de cambio, los terratenientes avanzan hacia el sur en busca de más territorio para su ganado, empujando la tenaz resistencia de los indios. En los fortines, los soldados son escasos. Los poderosos reclaman protección y los Gauchos son el recurso más económico para defender sus intereses. Uno a uno se los arrebata de sus campos y sus ranchos para formar parte de un ejército alimentado de hambre y olvido: Martín Fierro es uno de ellos. Lejos de los suyos, con la promesa incierta de un regreso al hogar que nunca se produce, obligado a enfrentarse con pobres e inocentes, Fierro y su puñal, se levantan contra tanta injusticia para recuperar su familia y su libertad. Montado en su potro fiel, atravesará los innumerables peligros de la pampa hostil, para volver a su hogar. Martín Fierro, la película es la increíble aventura de un hombre que se enfrentó contra todo y contra todos para recuperar su dignidad.
	NIKTE Director: Ricardo Arnaiz Writer: Ricardo Arnaiz Animation: Music: Editing: 2009. 86 minutes. Setting: Yocán, a city in Hule (fictional places) Language: Spanish Availability: DVD released in Mexico	While a family is visiting an Olmec site, the oldest daughter, Nikté, falls asleep and dreams that she is back in pre-Columbian times, in the city of Yocan. Learning of a prophecy that a princess will fall from the sky when a comet comes, Nikté and her friend Chin arrange for her to fall from the sky right in front of the temple of Xtabay. However, Nikté finds that she must undergo a series of adventures before she can become princess. She encounters ghosts, monsters, dragons, scorpions, giant worms, a flatulent turkey, and a boy who wants to seduce her for his father's dire plans. This is the second feature from Animex, which also made La leyenda de la Nahuala. But Nikté is even better, with a more exiciting story, and a great variety of funny characters. Sinopsis en español: Situada en lo que ahora es Tabasco, durante la época precolombina, la película narra la historia de Nikté, una niña huérfana de carácter muy difícil que desea ser importante y, para lograrlo, engaña a su pueblo haciéndose pasar por la princesa anunciada en una profecía. Lo que no sabe es que la profecía exigirá mucho más de lo que ella puede ofrecer y que para cumplirla vivirá muchas aventuras, donde aprenderá que para ser el más grande, primero hay que ser el más pequeño.
	PATORUZITO Director: José Luis Massa Writers: Dante Quinterno, Axel Nacher, Omar Quiroga Music: Eduardo Frigerio 2004. 75 minutes. Setting: Patagonia, the present Language: Spanish Availability: DVD	A Patoruzito le ha llegado, según la tradición de los Tehuelches, el momento de convertirse en el cacique de la tribu. Creció rodeado del amor de la Chacha, en la estancia, junto a Ñancul y Upita, y cuenta ya con el coraje y la bondad propia de su linaje, que siempre ha ofrendado su esfuerzo para que el bien prevaleciera sobre el mal. Pero para cumplir su destino, deberá antes enfrentar y vencer a peligrosos adversarios que harán lo imposible para evitarlo. Uno de sus enemigos es Cachicó, un envidioso indio de su misma edad, siempre acompañado por sus secuaces Tino y Moncho, quien encuentra en Patoruzito un obstáculo insalvable para sus codiciosas intenciones. El otro es Mr. Ferguson, un misterioso arqueólogo extranjero, obsesionado por acceder a un mítico lugar llamado "El Valle Perdido", tierra sagrada para los Tehuelches. Followed by Patoruzito 2: La gran aventura (2006). Sinopsis en español: Basada en los personajes creados por Dante Quinterno. Patoruzito está destinado a ser un gran cacique, pero para ello deberá superar tres pruebas que demostrarán su habilidad, su valentia y su honor. Aunque no le será tan fácil, en el camino deberá enfrentarse con obstáculos imprevistos que harán del viaje una aventura.
	POPOL VUH Director / writer: Patricia Amlin Animators: Patricia Amlin, Joanne Corso, Martha Corzycka, Bud Luckey Narrators: Larry George (Yakima) Voices: Teatro Campesino Music: Tod Boekilheide, Xochimoki, Mazatl Galindo, Jim Berenholtz 1988. 60 minutes. Rated G. Setting: ancient Guatemala Language: English Availability: institutional DVD (for libraries & museums)	A creative adaptation of the ancient Quiche text. The unusual animation is based on actual Mayan art, morphing back and forth from still images to movement, and from authentic art to more stylized animation. The intended audience seems to be children, but the slippery Ovidian transitions between episodes and the overall weirdness may be disorienting to people unfamiliar with the myths. This film will appeal best to those who are already fans of Mayan culture. Patricia Amlin also directed Five Suns: A Sacred History of Mexico. Sinopsis en español: La gran épica Maya de la creación contada por medio de una animación que se deriva de libros y cerámicas antiguas.
	THE ROAD TO EL DORADO Dreamworks Studios Directors: Don Paul, Bibo Bergeron Writers: Terry Rossio, Ted Elliott 2000. 89 minutes. Rated PG. Setting: a Mayan city, 1512. Language: English Availability: DVD	Tulio and Miguel are a couple of Spanish con artists (played by Kevin Klein and Kenneth Branaugh) who flee from the police by jumping on a boat which takes them to the New World. There they try to convince the locals that they are gods, aided by the curvaceous theif Chel (Rosie Perez). Taking advantage of tensions between the emperor (Edward James Olmos) and the religious leader (Armand Assante), the two rogues manage to put an end to human sacrifice while also scoring a treasure of gold. The humor works principally through an annoyingly contemporary sarcasm, expressed through Tulio and Miguel's cliche buddy-banter. The voices, facial expressions, and gestures are all reproduced with slavish accuracy to 1990s pop culture, leaving little screentime for Mayan culture. However, the background artwork sumptuous--the architecture, artifacts, jungles, and costumes are all so beautiful that no one should mind the historical inaccuracies. And the special effects (if that is the right term when discussing animation) used for the magic sequences are also impressive. This film came out the same year as Disney's The Emperor's New Groove. Although Disney's Incan cartoon is funnier, Dreamwork's Mayan adventure sports better artwork, and will probably appeal more to fans of Indian culture.
	TOKI LEFTXARU Studio: ChileToons 2010. 70 minutes. Setting: Mapuche territory Language: Spanish Indian Content: high Availability: DVD	The Mapuche boy Leftxaru (Lautaro) witnesses the arrival of pale-skinned invaders who kill his father. Leftxaru is taken captive, but escapes and leads a rebellion against the invaders. Based on the graphic novel series Histocomix. More info at this great website devoted to Chilean cartoons: animacioneschilenas.cl/toki.php Sinopsis en español: Narra la vida del guerrero mapuche Leftxaru [Lautaro] y su lucha contra los españoles. Un niño que era feliz en su tierra con los suyos, pero luego de presenciar la terrible muerte de su padre se vio cautivo de un extraño winka (invasor). Tras vivir como caballerizo del jefe winka y luego de un difícil tiempo pero lleno de enseñanzas y descubrimientos, sintió el llamado de la tierra, de su tierra. Escapó y volvió con los suyos para transformarse en su líder, devolviéndoles su tierra, su equilibrio y su dignidad. La esperanza renacía, hasta que Leftxaru encuentra su destino en Peteroa. Basado en Histocomix.
CARTOON SERIES:
	LAS AVENTURAS DE JUNAJPU' Y LUNA Director/writer: Alejo Crisóstomo Animation: Xochitl Gazol Music: Ranferí Aguilar 2010, 55 min. Setting: Lago Atitlan, Guatemala Language: Spanish Availability: not yet on DVD	Junajpu' and Luna are a brother and sister living on the shores of Lago Atitlan in Guatemala. One day they are separated by evil forces, and must overcome many adventures to reunite and fulfill the prophecy that will save the world. A 15-episode educational series that seeks to encourage indigenous pride and values. Sinopsis en español: La serie de 15 episodios cuenta la historia de dos hermanos separados por el mal y las aventuras que enfrentan para reencontrarse y hacer realidad la profecía que dice que ellos salvarán al mundo. Luna y Junajpu' son parte de una familia indígena que vive a orillas del Lago de Atitlán en Guatemala y en su viaje conocen a niñas y niños del resto del país.
	BIBLIOTECA SER INDÍGENA Animation: Jorge Bizama Setting: Chile Language: Spanish (no subtitles) Availability: serindigena.org	Three three-minute cartoons based on traditional tales from Chile: "Saire - Agua de lluvia" - Flood story of the Atacamenos "Kai Kai y Ten-Ten Vilu - Las serpientes del agua y de la tierra" - Mapuche creation myth "Domo y Lituche: La creación del mundo Mapuche" - Another Mapuche creation myth The cartoons are drawn in a very unique, original style, with white line drawings over a black background and spare, effective use of color. Available at serindigena.org
	CRISTIAN SOLIS Director: Cristián Solís Animation: Editorial Amanuta 2003. Setting: pre-columbian Chile Language: Spanish (no subtitles) or English Availability: Youtube	This is a series of short cartoons (two to four minutes) about the various pueblos originarios de Chile, including the Mapuche (Araucanos), Selknam (Onas), Maori (Easter Islanders), Atacameños (Lakan Antay), Yamana (Yaganes), Tehuelches (Patagonians), and Aymara. Some of the cartoons are documentary-like, showing the Indians' way of life, while others dramatize myths. They are all available in Spanish and English on the Youtube channel CRISTIANSOLISW at: http://www.youtube.com/user/CRISTIANSOLISW/videos
	ERASE UNA VEZ... LAS AMERICAS (Once Upon A Time... The Americas) Director/writer: Albert Barillé 1991. Setting: North and South America; pre-Columbian times to the present Language: French or Spanish Availability: region 2 DVD	Original French title: Il était une fois... les Amériques. 26 animated episodes of the history of Native Americans from pre-Columbian times to the European invasion to the present. This series had an educational emphasis. Probably for ages 5 to 10.
	LEYENDAS ARGENTINAS Studio: Tercer Ojo Group Director: Victor Blasco Illustrations: Gabriel Romero Music: Marcelo Paez 2010 Setting: Argentina Language: Spanish Indian Content: high Availability: Youtube	Four three-minute cartoons on various themes in Argentine folklore, presented in shadow-puppet style. Stories include: "La leyenda de Algarrobo y su fruto" (Comechingones), "El Pomberito", "El Ucumar", and "Quebracho colorado". Available on Youtube: youtube.com/user/TercerOjoGroup
	MYSTERIOUS CITIES OF GOLD Original Japanese title: Taiyô no ko Esteban Director: Howard Ryshpan. Writer: Scott O'Dell. 1982-1983. 1160 minutes. Rated G. Setting: Peru, 1532. Language: Japanese (English dubs) Availability: DVD	This was a Japanese TV series that ran for 39 episodes in 1982 and 1983, based on a story by acclaimed children's author Scott O'Dell. In 1532, Esteban, an orphan in Spain, travels to the Americas to search for his father. He meets an Incan girl named Zia, and Tao, last descendent of the sunken city of Hiva. The three kids have adventures among the Incans, Mayans, and Olmecs. The art is unacceptably crude and lazy, the characters flat and dull at best, and usually annoying. The only thing going for this series is the story, which really doesn't get interestng until about ten episodes in. Don't believe the hype on Amazon. Only nostalgia can make this series seem good. The six-DVD set, dubbed into English, with all 39 episodes and assorted bonus features, was released in 2009.
	NAZCA Directors: Hiroko Tokita, Benito Rabal 1990, 1998. 300 minutes. Setting: ancient Peru; modern Japan Language: Japanese (English dubs) Availability: out-of-print DVD & VHS	A Japanese martial arts student travels back in time to pre-Colombian Peru. 16 episodes available on four 75-minute DVDs.
	PATAGONIA: HOMBRES DEL CONFIN (Patagonia: Men of the Horizon) Studio: Cubo Negro Director: Erwin Gómez Writers: Erwin Gómez, Dauno Tótoro, Carlos Zagal 2008. 144 minutes. Setting: Chilean Patagonia Language: English Indian Content: high Availability: none	An epic series (six 24-minute episodes) based on traditions of the Selknam and Kaweskar people. The shaman Lechuza predicts the arrival of invaders from afar, upsetting the harmony of the Seven Clans of Mother Earth. More info at animacioneschilenas.cl/patagonia.php Sinopsis en español: Serie épica, de fuertes raíces ancestrales en las narraciones y mitos originales del pueblo Selknam o Kaweskar del extremo sur del continente americano. En este austral lugar viven los Siete Clanes de la Tierra Madre. El chamán del clan de la Lechuza, Kuanip, tiene una visión en donde se acercan los tiempos oscuros. Esto quiebra la armonía ya existente. La oscuridad se refiere a los conquistadores de tierras lejanas que vienen a romper y arrasar con todo lo que encuentran en su camino, con el único objetivo de encontrar riqueza y poder. Dementor es la cabeza de este escuadrón, y viene acompañado por Prospector y por muchos soldados. En tanto, uno de los pobladores, Xaxán, enceguecido por el poder y el egoismo, traiciona a su clan y se une a la oscuridad. La única posibilidad que tienen los habitantes de salvarse es liberar a la Ballena de la Luz. Esta misión se la encomiendan a Haru y Sasán. La ballena es una criatura mágica, que es la máxima materialización de la Madre Tierra.
SHORT CARTOONS:
	ABUELA GRILLO (Grandmother Cricket) Director: Denis Chapon Animation: Comunidad de Animadores Bolivianos Music: Proyecto Uma Churita 2009. 13 minutes. Setting: Bolivian countryside; the Andes; La Paz Language: mostly wordless, with occasional Spanish, and singing in Quechua Availability: Youtube	Abuela Grillo brings rain to the people when she sings. When people get sick of the rain and abuse her, she goes away, leaving drought behind. One day she is approached by businessmen who bottle their rain so they can sell it to people at outrageous prices. Desparate for water and unable to afford the prices, the people rebel against the corporate forces, who respond with soldiers and tear gas. Abuela Grillo comes to rescue and dispels the tear gas with rain. Plants grow again, and the people learn to appreciate Abuela Grillo's gifts without complaining. Based on a myth of the Ayoreo Indians of south-east Bolivia and Paraguay, this cartoon is a powerful allegory of the evils of the commodification / yuppification of water, which people are now buying in bottles. Abuela Grillo has almost no dialogue, just a few words in Spanish, and the Abuela's pretty song in Quechua. Available on Youtube: youtube.com/watch?v=AXz4XPuB_BM Sinopsis en español: En un principio, La abuela de los Ayoreos era un grillo llamado Direjná. Ella era la dueña del agua, y donde sea que ella estaba, tambien estaba la lluvia. Sus nietos le pidieron que se vaya, eso hizo, fue cuando los dias de calor y sequedad empezaron. La abuela Grillo decidió vivir en el segundo cielo y desde ahí es capaz de enviar lluvia cada vez que alguien cuenta su historia. Abuela Grillo es la adaptación de un mito ayoreo (pueblo indígena del chaco boreal). La versión animada convierte esta historia en una fábula que trata un tema fundamental del mundo contemporáneo: la lucha de los pueblos en contra de la mercantilización del agua. La cinta se realizó durante el año 2009 en The Animation Workshop que es la más importante escuela de animación de Dinamarca y una de las más prestigiosas de Europa. Para este fin, ocho animadores bolivianos fueron becados durante cinco meses para aprender el arte del dibujo animado tradicional al mismo tiempo que realizaban la película. Los ocho artistas becados The Animation Workshop de Dinamarca y responsables de este corto son: Alejandro Salazar, Susana Villegas, Cecilia Delgado, Joaquín Cuevas, Miguel Mealla, Román Nina, Salvador Pomar y Mauricio Sejas. Todo esto bajo la dirección del notable animador francés Denis Chapon. La prestigiosa cantante boliviana y ahora embajadora de Bolivia en Francia, Luzmila Carpio, presta su voz y su canto al personaje de manera magistral. Este cortometraje llega a ser un nuevo punto alto dentro del arte de la animación en Bolivia y es el primer fruto de un proyecto a gran escala que incluye la futura realización de diversas producciones animadas y la formación de más artistas bolivianos en distintos campos de la animación.
	AMOR INDIO Director: Rui de Oliveira Music: Fabio Nercessian 1998. 16 minutes. Setting: Mexico, ancient times Language: Portuguese Availability: Youtube	Based on the Aztec myth of Conyra, a human who fell in love with Cuillac, daughter of the King of the Sky. Available on Youtube: youtube.com/watch?v=DxPp9CivZrM&NR=1
	EL BOSQUE AUN VIVE Director: Jesús Pérez 1995. 12 minutes. Setting: Bolivian jungle Language: Spanish	Muestra la cotidianidad de una familia chiman, a través de un niño que nace y crece en el bosque junto a sus amigos: un mono y un tucán. Aprende los oficios de este medio. En su primer día de caza se encuentra y conoce los espíritus del bosque, sigue su tarea con valentía, recorre todo el bosque y llega hasta sus márgenes encontrando la carretera que le muestra el límite de su mundo y el paso más próximo hacia la ciudad, ambos espacios completamente diferentes y contrapuestos.
	LOS CHULPAS Director: Alex Moya 2007. 7 minutes. Setting: Atacama Desert, Chile Language: Spanish	In the days before the sun existed, the "Chulpas," ancient beings of the Atacama desert of Chile, worshipped the moon.
	CUANDO LO DICEN Y LO PINTAN LOS NIÑOS (When Children Tell It and Paint It) Alas y Raíces a los Niños / Instituto Mexicano de la Cinematografía Director: Dominique Jonard Music: Eduardo Solís Marín; 2001. 40 minutes. Setting: Tarahumara; Chiapas; Tijuana; San Diego, Cal. Language: Spanish Availability: VHS	A collection of three cartoons with plots, drawings, and voices provided by children: "Raramuri, Pie Ligero" (10 min.) is a tale of a footrace among the Raramuri Indians of the Sierra Tarahumara. "Santo Golpe" (10 min.) tells of a bus heist among the Tzeltal and Tzotzil Indians of Chiapas. "Un Brinco Pa' Allá" (20 min.) is a border-crossing tale about kids traveling from Tijuana to San Diego, California. The animation is crude but charming, and the kids' voices make these cartoons hilarious. Director Dominique Jonard has created many other Indigenous-themed cartoons not collected in this video (too many to list!).
	THE EMPEROR'S TREASURE Director: Diane Paloma Eskenazi 2004. 45 minutes. Setting: Ancient Incan Empire Language: English Availability: DVD	A young man travels to Machu Picchu to illustrate his father's archaeological book. He somehow slips into the past and meets the ancient Incas. The animation is adequate, but the story, characters, and humor are utterly vapid and lifeless. Not recommended.
	EMUNHO Directors: José Pedersen, Augusto Netto, Rafael Kohan Artist: Ogwa 2004. 5 min. Setting: Paraguay Language: Availability: not sure	The origin of the world narrated by a shaman from the Tomoraho community, one of the Ishir/Chamacoco peoples of Alto Paraguay, and features the drawings of the artist Ogwa. Sinopsis en español: Narra el origen del mundo, contado a través de un chamán de la comunidad tomaraho, en la parte norte de la región del Chaco, en Paraguay. El video capta una visión cristalina y prístina del universo indígena, en el cual los orígenes de la vida son un regalo de las fuerzas cósmicas, que le obsequiaron la existencia al ser humano y a todo cuanto existe en la faz de la Tierra, y que hicieron a los hombres responsables de su propio destino. Esta animación representa gráficamente la cosmogonía y percepción del mundo según relatos orales de la etnia Ishir/Chamacoco del Alto Paraguay. También se vale de los dibujos del artista indígena Ogwa, a la que se suma el movimiento animado y sonidos ambientales.
	EN AGOSTO (In August) Directors/writers/cinematographers: Andrés Barrientos, Carlos Andrés Reyes Music: Sinapis, Sergio A. Trujillo 2008. 14 minutes. Setting: Bogota, Colombia Language: Spanish Availability: not released	A staggeringly ambitious animated film about the precise moment when the world comes to an end. Veronica, a young indignenous woman walks by a bridge in a partially flooded Bogota that never stops raining. Veronica has the feeling that something bad is going to happen. Pedro, an elderly man, awaits the arrival of the end of the world prophetized by Isabel, his dead wife. She never failed in any of her predictions. In their visions the world's future shall be revealed. Sinopsis en español: En el futuro, Verónica, una joven indígena, camina por un puente en una Bogotá parcialmente inundada y en la que no para de llover. Verónica intuye que algo malo va a ocurrir y acelera su paso. En el presente, Pedro, un anciano, espera la llegada del fin del mundo en un día y una hora que su difunta esposa, profetizó; Nunca falló alguna de sus predicciones. Verónica y Pedro están unidos por una visión y una realidad.
	HAPUNDA Director/animator: Dominique Jonard Writers: Enrique Soto, Dominique Jonard Music: Valeria Jonard 2004. 4 minutes. Setting: Michoacan, 16th century Language: Spanish	A Purepecha legend based on drawings from the 16th century manuscript, Relación de Michoacán. In the Island of Yunven in Lake Patzcuaro the princess Hapunda lived in harmony with the lake and vowed to stay by its side. And then the warriors came. Sinopsis en español: Recreación de una leyenda purhépecha basada en dibujos de la “Relación de Michoacán”, manuscrito del siglo XVI. En la isla de Yunven del lago de Patzcuaro vive la princesa Hapunda en armonía con el lago, con el cual hizo un juramento de permanecer a su lado. La llegada de unos guerreros a la isla rompe la tranquilidad de esta, e impide que Hapunda cumpla su promesa.
	JUAN DIEGO: MENSAJERO DE GUADALUPE Directors: Jonas Soto, Fernando Uribe Writer: Fernando Uribe Music: Scott Brasher 35 minutes. Setting: Tonantzin, Mexico, 1531 Language: Spanish, English, or French Availability: DVD	The story of Juan Diego (Cuauhtlatoatzin) and his encounter with the Virgin of Guadalupe, which is presented as the beginning of the reconciliation between Indians and Europeans and the blessing of the Mexican mestizo race. Juan Diego is in favor of getting along with the Spanish because they have introduced Catholicism, while his uncle Bernardino is still distrusting, and his old teacher Tizoc (apocryphal to the Guadalupe legend?) still resents the Spanish bitterly and repudiates Juan Diego. Some viewers may find the reconciliation message too Christian and/or complacent. The animation is uninspired but adequate and some Nahuatl words and names are explained. This is apparently a U.S.-Mexico production, with audio in English, Spanish and French, and subtitles in English. Suitable for ages 5 to 10, perhaps. Sinopsis en español: En 1531, Juan Diego se vio atrapado entre dos mundos: el de los conquistadores españoles y el de su propio patrimonio azteca. Debido a su amor por el pueblo mexicano y a su fuerte fe, Juan Diego acudió a Jesús y a María, para que le ayudaran a unir a su pueblo. Y la respuesta vino de forma milagrosa en la Basílica de la Virgen de Guadalupe, en México.
	LORDS OF SIPAN (Los Señores de Sipán) Director: Erwin Gómez Viñales 3.5 minutes. Setting: Moche pyramids of Peru, c. 100 BC Language: none Availability: Vimeo	Inside the pyramids of the Moche valley, after so many sacrifices for their gods, skeletons enjoy their eternity. Blood is harvested from exhausted prisoners in a gold chalice, to be driven by the moon goddess through the pyramid's extensive corridors to the throne of the god of Darkness. The Moche Dragon is born from the blood. Available on Vimeo: vimeo.com/32621578 Sinopsis en español: Cortometraje inspirado en las pinturas sobre vasijas pertenecientes a la cultura Moche. Pueblo que habitó el costo norte de Perú 100 años antes de Cristo.
	MACHU PICCHU POST Directors/animators: Novali Nicolas, Durand Rival Margaux y Crocq Clement 2008. 5 minutes. Setting: Machu Picchu Language: none Availability: Youtube	A boy and his llama wait for the postal airplane to arrive in Machu Picchu. When the airplane wanders into a cloud, it comes under the control of the boy's imagination. A French production, but without words. Available on its own website or on Youtube: http://machupicchupost.free.fr http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGKp7YBNvIU Sinopsis en español: Un niño que vive con su llama en Machu Pichu, recibe la visita del correo aéreo con gran entusiasmo, su imaginación le llevará a poner al piloto en un gran aprieto...
	MANHATITLÁN CODEX Director/animator: Felipe Galindo 2008. 5 minutes. Setting: New York City Language: English Availability: none	Narrates an imaginary migration of a group of Mexican people to the US, inspired by Aztec mythology and American history. This animation explores the concepts of homeland, migration and globalization. Artist's website: www.felipegalindo.com
	MAYAN REIGN Director/animator: José Olmos 2008. 5 minutes. Setting: Language: English Availability: Online	A boy named Cualtemo worries about the lack of rain, so he goes to the city of Tecomon (?) to pray to the Mayan rain god Chac for rain. Available at hoser396-mayanreign.blogspot.com
	THE MONKEY PEOPLE Rabbit Ears Productions. Director: 1991. 30 minutes. Setting: Amazon rainforest Language: English Availability: VHS (for institutions)	This Rabbit Ears series, Children's Classics from Around the World, features famous actors contributing the narration and famous musicians providing the soundtrack. For The Monkey People we have Raúl Julia (The Burning Season) as narrator and Larry Carlton on guitar to tell the traditional story of lazy rainforest dwellers who discovered they could cut out paper monkeys to do their work for them. The animation is rather simple, in the silhouette style of Chinese shadow theater (similar to Maurice Pommier's illustrations for the Lecturas de la historia books for children), and with little movement. Despite the celebrity contributions, the artwork is not quite captivating enough to hold the attention of the children to who seem to be the intended audience.
	LOS MUISCAS Directors/animators: Alejandro Cabal, Carlos Andres Poggio 2008. 7 minutes. Setting: Colombia Language: Spanish Availability: Youtube	The creation of the earth and its people according to the Muisca people of Colombia. This is one of the most amazing, creative animated films I've ever seen on Youtube. Check it out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yN4gZsPVy8 Sinopsis en español: Según la mitología de los Muiscas el universo, su mundo y su pueblo fueron creados, formados por y eran diferentes deidades: Chiminigagua (la luz), Baque (el universo), Bachue (la madre de la humanidad), Chia (el caos), Goranchacha (el primer zaque), Chibchacum (el dios de la tierra) y Bochica (el benefactor, el educador). Esta es su historia.
	PAJERAMA Director/writer: Leonardo Cadaval Animation: Leonardo Cadaval, Sérgio Menehira Music: Ruggero Ruschioni 2007. 9 minutes. Setting: rainforest Language: none (no dialogue) Availability: vimeo.com	A boy out hunting comes across a monolith similar to the one in 2001: A Space Odyssey. Soon after this apparition, he starts having strange encounters with shocking noises and images from the modern industrial world outside the forest. He narrowly escapes these encounters and returns home to his father. Great computer-generated animation brilliantly portrays the culture clash with humor and pathos. pajé means medicine man, so the title suggests something like the visions created by a medicine man. You can watch the entire film at http://vimeo.com/4873626 Resumo em português: Um índio passa por uma torrente de experiências estranhas, revelando mistérios a respeito do tempo e espaço.
	UN POQUITO DE... Centro Cultural Palácio La Moneda de Chile Director: Dominique Jonard 2003. 15 minutes. Setting: Morelos, Mexico Language: Spanish	Un volcán hace erupción y asusta a la sombra de uno de los habitantes de la comunidad. Diferentes elementos como el amaranto, alimento prehispánico con el que se produce un dulce llamado alegría; el Popocatépetl, volcán emblemático de México, el mercado y su ancestral práctica del trueque, proporcionan el marco para certificar un hecho singular que nos llevará a conocer las prácticas mágicas de las mujeres curanderas para que la sombra regrese al cuerpo al cual pertenece. Con voces de los niños de Almicingo y Hueyapan, Morelos.
	ROKUNGA: EL ULTIMO HOMBRE PAJARO (Rokunga, the Last Man Bird) Director: Erwin Gómez Viñales Writers: Erwin Gómez, Gonzalo Oyarzún,Ignacio Iriarte Animators: Erwin Gómez, Mauricio Pérez, Marcelo Flores Music: Miguel Lara 2006. 11 minutes. Setting: Rapa Nui, 1866 Language: Spanish Availability: Youtube	This 3D cartoon shows the annual spring ceremony in the honor of Make Make, Creator God, at the time of the finding of the first bird egg in Rapa Nui. It culminated with the naming of the Tangata Manu, the sacred Birdman. Each year, the representatives of different tribes would climb the Kau volcano to celebrate the election of Tangata Manu, who became the political and military head of the island for a year. Available on Youtube: youtube.com/watch?v=L2lZubBg7dk Sinopsis en español: La mágica recreación de la última ceremonia del hombre pájaro que se celebró en Isla de Pascua. La historia se ambienta en una Rapa Nui sumida en el caos, la enfermedad y la llegada de un nuevo dios. En esas circunstancias, Rokunga es el elegido por el dios Make Make. Los personajes de esta historia animada -la primera en 3d que llega al cine en Chile- son producto de un largo trabajo de diseño inspirado en figuras talladas en madera.
	LA SIRENA AALAMATZIN (The Mermaid Aalamatzin) Director: Jaime Cruz 1999. 27 minutes. Setting: Xalitla, Guerrero, Mexico Language: Náhuatl Availability: VHS	Cartoon based on a myth from Guererro, Mexico. A man angers the mermaid Aalamatzin when he fishes in her river to feed his mistress instead of his family. The mermaid demands his son as payment. The boy escapes into the forest and wins the friendship of various animals by feeding them with his own meager resources. A grateful eagle gives the boy wings so he can fly back to his family. You can view a clip at www.ciesas.edu.mx/jaff/multimedia.html
	TAINA-KAN, A GRANDE ESTRELA (Taina-Kan, The Great Star) Director: Adriana Figuereido 2005, 16 minutes. Setting: Araguaia River Valley, Brazil Language: Portuguese	A digital animation of a Karaja legend that explains the origin of agriculture as a gift of Tainá-Kan, or the big star Venus, who comes to earth in the form of a man. The tale tells of two sisters, Imaerô, who is selfish, and Denakè, whose nature is more ambiguous and elusive. Imaerô wishes upon her favorite star for it to come to Earth as a man so she can marry him. But when he complies and arrives, he is (in her eyes) “old and ugly,” and she is revulsed. Denakè suddenly appears upon her sister’s retreat, suggesting they are opposite aspects of a single nature or character, and entreats Tainá-Kan to remain so she can take care of him. Plainly, she is principally motivated by her wish to cast her sister in a bad starlight; she quips that she already knew that stars are ancient. Writer-director Adriana Figueiredo keeps to the competitive sister-thing, for now that he and Denakè are a couple Imaerô sees Tainá-Kan as young and handsome. Tainá-Kan provides his wife’s people with a plantation of new vegetables and fruits, including corn and watermelon, that will keep them well fed; he takes stars from the heavens that become seeds for growing the crops. Ultimately he leaves Earth to return to the heavens with wife and children, who sparkle in a new constellation. Those who wish to reduce this story to a simple fable perhaps miss the point of Tainá-Kan’s own motive for coming down: to be flattered up close by Imaerô's idolatrous attention. Hers was a show of affection and commitment, not the reality; similarly, her sister delivered a show of unselfish love, to which Tainá-Kan responded. But even such a display of generosity, whatever the motivation, yields greater generosity, because the mimicry of good behavior increases good behavior. Motives are less important than what people do. Sinopsis en español: Esta leyenda cuenta la historia de los orígenes de la agricultura Karaja, como regalo de Taina Kan, quien baja a la tierra en forma de hombre.
	TALES FROM THE LATIN AMERICAN INDIANS Video Knowledge, Inc. Director: Fernando Benítez. 1986. 34 minutes. Setting: Mexico, Puerto Rico. Language: Spanish Availability: VHS	Part of the Exotic Tales from Exotic Lands series, this film contains four stories: "La Leyenda de Quetzalcoatl" (Aztec/Mayan/Toltec), "La Leyenda de Loiza" (Puerto Rico), "La Magia del Quetzal" (Guatemala), and "El Aguila y la serpiente" (Aztec). This film just barely qualifies as animation, since the pictures don't even move, and they are not even good drawings to begin with.
	LA TIERRA ES NUESTRA (The Land is Ours) Director: Carlos Álvarez Zambelli 2009. 5 minutes. Setting: various places in Latin America Language: none Availability: Youtube	This experimental animated short was produced with the Association for Cooperation with the South (ACSUD) as part of a campaign to denounce attacks on the indigenous peoples of Latin America and their territories and resources. The illusion of a trouble-free life is presented in cartoon form while the reality is filmed. Watch it on Youtube: youtube.com/watch?v=uKKhCqgpdqY
	TIERRA Y TERRITORIO CEFREC - CAIB Directors: Esteban Espejo, Oscar Sejas 2005. 31 minutes. Setting: Bolivia Language: Spanish	Desde diferentes ópticas y aportes se analiza la realidad de la tierra y territorio. En las regiones altas y bajas de Bolivia, se denuncian situaciones injustas y se manifiestan propuestas desde las organizaciones y comunidades desde la perspectiva de convocatoria a una asamblea nacional constituyente.
	XÁNI XÉPIKA (¡Este flojo!) (Lazy Boy) Director/writer: Dominique Jonard Music: Grupo Huapanekua 2007. 7 minutes. Setting: Michoacan, Mexico Language: Purhepecha	A folktale about a young man, José, whose laziness gets him in trouble. When he wants to marry Atzimba, her father gives him various tasks in the mountains. Voices and drawings by Purepecha children. El futuro suegro de José pone a su yerno a prueba mandándolo a diversas Tareas en el monte pero la astucia no es compañera del muchacho.
LIVE ACTION KIDS' MOVIES:
	DE INDIAAN (The Indian) Director: Ineke Houtman Writer: Nynke Klompmaker Cinematography: Sander Snoep Music: Melcher Meirmans 2009. 75 minutes. 1.85:1. Setting: Netherlands Language: Dutch, some Quechua Availability: not yet on DVD	Eight-year-old Koos (Matthias den Besten) lives in Netherlands with his adoptive parents. Hee knows he's from Peru, but doesn't know much else about Peru. One day at a flea market he sees a family of Andean musicians who look like him. One day Koos learns that his mother is pregnant, and overhears his parents anticipating a baby that will have his father's blond hair. Koos becomes jealous, and turns to the Peruvian family. They teach him about Peruvian culture and his Inka ancestors, and give him an Ekeko doll (Ekeko was the Tiwanakan god of prosperity and the dolls, depicting a man loaded with gifts and money, are a popular tourist souvenir). The son Illari, a little older than Koos, teaches him to use a slingshot and the ways of Indian courage: "Everything collaborates with you when you're not afraid." Koos wants to learn what his real Peruvian name was, so the father performs a ceremony to find his name. After reading coca leaves, the Indian determines his name, writes it on a roll of leather and stuffs it in a wooden tube, then Koos and Illari go to the lake Illari throws it into the water. Koos must dive for it to find his name, but he is afraid. One day Illari tells him that his family is moving back to Peru. Koos wants to go with them, but when he finds they have already left, he runs away, and rows out to the "Indian Island" in the lake. He dives for the wooden tube, and finds his name written inside: Yaku, the Quechua word for water. When his father finally finds him on the island, he explains that Koos is a variant of his own name, Iacobus, and that Yaku agrees nicely with Iacobus. Thus the boy learns to embrace his Peruvian culture and also accept his parents' love. This is a nearly-perfect children's movie, with none of the hokeyness or artificiality one often finds in such films. Matthias den Besten, who is of Guatemalan descent, deserves special praise for this large, demanding role. Sinopsis en español: Koos es un niño holandes de ocho años que vive feliz con sus padres y su abuelo. Koos odia el agua y ama las motocicletas. Un dia, de pronto, a la salida de un gran supermercado descubre a un grupo de indios andinos tocando música peruana. Koos intrigado y movido por una extraña fuerza se acerca a los indios y hablando con ellos descubrirá que él mismo es un indio. A partir de ese momento Koos se dedica a rastrear su propio pasado en busca de un nombre y unas raices que sus padres “adoptivos” le han ocultado. Gracias a su nuevo amigo indio, Illie comienza a soñar con convertirse en un verdadero indio y viajar a Perú, cueste lo que cueste.
	MAX IS MISSING Director: Mark Griffiths Writer: Gordon Cassidy, Mark Griffiths Cinematography: Blake T. Evans Music: Arthur Kempel 1995. 95 minutes. Rated PG. Setting: Machu Picchu, Ollantaytambo, Cusco Language: English, occasional Spanish and Quechua Availability: DVD	Max (Toran Caudell) is the snotty son of an American archaeologist; Juanito (Victor Rojas) is a savvy teen huckster who makes his living from tourists on the Inca Trail. The two boys find themselves pulled into a caper over a 15th-century gold huaca sought by two criminals. In the course of their caper Juanito learns that money isn't everything, and Max learns that, when you're poor, money is everything. Humor, action and plot twists make this Showtime production a fairly satisfying slice of family entertainment.
	SECRET OF THE ANDES Director: Alejandro Azzano Writer: Alejandro Azzano, Bernardo Nante Cinematography: Maximo Munzi Music: Luis Bacalov 1998. 99 minutes. Rated PG. Setting: Jucaitambo (fictional town in Bolivia) Language: English Availability: DVD	Diana, a mischievous 10-year-old, goes to Bolivia to see her father, an archaeologist searching for half of the golden disc that once belonged to Incan emperor Huascar (the other half being in a New York museum). With the help of the mystic Don Benito and his teenage son, Diana finds the disc in a hidden temple. With only a little more effort, Secret of the Andes could have been a quality film, but the hokey humor and a few bad apples in the cast make the film a chore to watch, despite the effective music and cinematography.
	TAINA: UMA AVENTURA NA AMAZONIA Directors: Sérgio Bloch, Tania Lamarca Writers: Claudia Levay, Reinaldo Moraes Cinematography: Marcello Corpanni Music: Luiz Avellar Editing: Diana Vasconcellos 2001. 90 minutes. Setting: Brazilian Amazon Language: Portuguese Availability: DVD in South America only	Taina (Eunice Baía) is a little girl living in the Amazon. After the death of her parents and grandfather she wanders from her home and is taken in by Isabel (Branca Camargo), a white scientist studying herbal medicine. Taina discovers many foes among civilization: Isabel's jealous son Joninho; a poacher who wants to steal Taina's pet monkey, Catu; and a rival scientist who tries to thwart Isabel's discovery of a jungle fever vaccine. Beautiful footage of the jungle and its creatures make this film enjoyable for kids and adults. Followed by Taina 2 and Taina 3.
CARTOONS NOT YET REVIEWED:
Ãgtux: Contar Historias (Tania Anaya, 2005, 19 min.) Illustrates the cosmogony of the Maxacali, who live in the Mucuri Valley of Minas Gerais. "Ãgtux", em Maxacali, é "contar histórias". O filme traz algumas histórias deste povo que vive no Vale do Mucuri, Minas Gerais, costurando imagens da aldeia com animações. Donos de um notável refinamento plástico e sonoro revelado em desenhos, pinturas, roupas, cantos, poemas, os Maxacali, como a maior parte dos povos indígenas do Brasil, vivem sob uma sombra de miséria. Mas isso já é vastamente divulgado pelos jornais e tevês. O filme busca o que falta nas notícias: a riqueza de suas manifestações plásticas, sua língua, sua vida cotidiana, enfim, sua capacidade de superação da pobreza. Aguas con el Botas (Dominique Jonard, Mexico, 1994, 10 min.) Aztec Legend (Eduardo Cisneros, 2004) Barrio lindo (Pedro Vivas Francia, Bolivia, 8 min) [Narra las aventuras y vicisitudes de dos niños que se conocen en un barrio marginal de La Paz y surge una amistad entre ellos.] Changing World (Jaqui Pope, 1988, 4 min.) Shows how tractors and trucks are opening up the forest and changing the lives of the Indians. Columbus: Adventures to the Edge of the World (2006, 30 min.) Cuentos de la serpiente emplumada (1989) En camino (Jésus Pérez, Bolivia, 1996, 14 min.) [An Aymara family travels from Potosi to the tropics in search of a good place to live.] [Una familia quechua del norte de Potosí (en el altiplano) se ve obligada a migrar a la ciudad y posteriormente al trópico.] Fantasma de la milpa (Ghost of the Corn Field) (2 min.) A claymation by Triqui children, whose families come from communities in the Sierra Alta of Oaxaca. When children playing ball close to a milpa (field) lose the ball, what happens to the player who goes in to get it? En la comunidad Triqui de la Sierra Alta de Oaxaca, los niños juegan a la pelota muy cerca de una milpa. De pronto, la pelota escapa de sus manos y se introduce en la milpa, uno de los jugadores de pelota corre y se adentra en la milpa para rescatar la pelota y continuar el juego. Hecho por niñas y niños Triquis. Five Suns: A Sacred History of Mexico (Patricia Amlin, 1996, 55 min.) Heroes verdaderos (2010, 90 min.) A retelling of Mexico's War of Independence, with several Indian characters. heroesverdaderos.com A fundaçao do Brasil (Mô Toledo, 1980, 7 min.) Historia de las relaciones de trabajo entre los blancos, indios y negros durante la colonización del Brasil. Mario el lustrabotas (Jesús Pérez) El milagro del Kantu (Luis Carlos Aliaga Ñunez del Prado, 2012) El Mito de Peribo (Félix Nakamura, 1988, Venezuela, 8 min.) [A Yanomami myth. After a great flood there was only one house left, but the man and woman who lived there didn't get along.] Animación de figuras de plastilina que recrea un mito yanomami. Después del Diluvio había una sola casa en la tierra, y ahí vivían los yanomami. Uno de ellos era Peribo, quien tenía como esposa a una muchacha de nombre Xidikariyoma. Esta mujer no quería a su esposo, trataba continuamente de huir y ocultarse. Moon, Jungle, Fire and Earth (Pier Brinkman, Brazil, 20 min) [Usando la técnica de animación fotográfica, son recreadas cientos de diapositivas de varios grupos indígenas de las selvas tropicales de Brasil. Su vida, sus ritos y juegos aparecen junto a la advertencia de la amenaza que representa para su supervivencia la explotación indiscriminada de sus tierras y recursos.] Muñeca de maiz (Corn Doll) (Marisol Barragán, Bolivia, 1989) Paulina y el Condor (Marisol Barragán, Bolivia, 1995, 10 min.) [An Aymara girl journeys from the altiplano to La Paz.] Starlore (Faith Hubley, 1984, 9 min., English, US/Guatemala production) El film narra varios mitos de creación relacionados con el sol, la luna y otros elementos del firmamento. Un mito maya narra un juego de pelota cósmico, siguen un mito campa, uno yahgan, tupi, pawnee, finalizando con uno inuit. El sueño de los hombres (Armando Arce, 1986, 10 min.) Inspirada en un antiguo mito indígena makiritare, narra la creación de la mujer y el hombre. Tabey (Juan Padrón, Cuba, 1974, 8 min) Se trata de una historia sobre indígenas y conquistadores. Tabey escapa de los caribes y es rescatado por los españoles a caballo. Estos simulan amistad para finalmente emplear a los indios en la búsqueda de oro. Los guerreros taino se organizan, atacan y ponen en fuga a los españoles. Teco, el niño mojeño (Rubén Machado, Bolivia, 2004, 10 min.) Teco, un pequeño niño, conoce la historia de su pueblo de una manera misteriosa después de conversar con el Espíritu del Bosque, El Sol y La Luna. La tierra está enferma (Jesús Pérez) Titiri We: El canto de la noche (Viveca Baiz, 10 min.) Recreating a Yanomami myth, this film tells the story of the creation of the night. An indigenous family, tired of the heat and light of the sun, fatally wound a black Paují bird in flight. With every drop of blood that falls from the bird a new Paují is born which takes flight and blocks the sun from view. Before the astonished eyes of the humans, night has begun. El mito de la creación de la noche recogido entre los Parimi-Theri del río Uraricoera en Brasil. Una pareja de indígenas, extenuados por la luz y el calor hieren mortalmente a un paují en vuelo y de cada gota de sangre que derrama el ave por su herida, nace un nuevo paují. Se forma una bandada que al alzar el vuelo, cubre el sol, surgiendo la noche, ante la mirada asombrada de los humanos. Tlacuilo (Enrique Escalone, 1984, 56 min., Venezuela) Demuestra que los códices prehispánicos eran escrituras, que podían leerse "literalmente", ya que estaban hechos atendiendo a una estructura de signos con significados precisos. Ultimo elote (The last corn stalk) (2 min.) A claymation by Triqui children, whose families come from communities in the Sierra Alta of Oaxaca. two farmers harvesting their corn find that all the ears have dried up but one. Who will get to eat it? Dos campesinos triques comparte el maíz de la cosecha de su milpa. Un buen día el calor es tan intenso que provoca una severa sequía que acaba con casi toda la cosecha al grado que tan sólo queda una mazorca con un elote. Los campesinos al desesperarse por no tener que comer pelean entre ellos el último elote que queda de su cosecha. Hecho por niñas y niños Triquis. Upa en apuros (Tito Davison, 1942, 12 min.) Wirandé (Tomorrow) (Wilson Lazaretti & Mauricio Squarisi, Brazil, 1992, 5 min.) [Drawings by native and urban children from Amazonias show their daily life.]

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