The Chant of Silence follows José Luis “El Chamán”, a cutter of agave and sotol in the Zone of Silence, Durango.
The film captures the daily work, the local crafts, and the region’s music (Los Cardencheros) to preserve a place and a cultural legacy that are at risk.
It shows that the routine itself is a kind of chant; a way of life that gives meaning to the product and to its cultural and economic value.
The documentary also reveals El Chamán’s humanity and motivation: his family, his dedication to the craft, and his desire to remain in that world for the rest of his life.
Documentary
“I arrived in an unfamiliar place and had to film someone I’d never spoken to.
Still, we did it: we told his story, recorded Los Cardencheros, spent one day shooting, and edited in three. We talked and laughed with El Chamán; that day felt like a gift.
The film won Best Cinematography (Emerging Film). I never expected it, and the award means a lot, especially after the technical setbacks we solved on the fly.”
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