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Acting Direction in Indigenous Communities: Challenges and Lessons Learned

Daniel Hernández

As part of the activities of the Morelia International Film Festival (FICM), the conference “Directing actors in indigenous communities” was held with the participation of filmmakers Chloë Leriche, Yolanda Cruz and Celina Manuel, moderated by Marina Stavenhagen. The speakers shared their experiences in creating stories, building characters, and directing actors in different indigenous communities.

During her presentation, Yolanda Cruz said: “I started making films in the communities because I saw it as a tool for them to express important issues.”

The challenges that arise when making films in these contexts and how to avoid negatively affecting the final product were addressed throughout the discussion. Chloë Leriche noted that “It's important to be flexible and not stick completely to your vision. You have to look at the beauty of the elements you process and analyze how you can work with them.”

Another key point was the importance of creating safe and supportive spaces that allow people in the communities to feel like they are part of the project and collaborate enthusiastically. “It is crucial to generate trusting environments to foster collaboration and the interest of the participants in the project,” said Celina Manuel.

Finally, the directors agreed on the importance of relying on specialists in areas they do not know, assuring that through a shared vision and with the right support, the project will have a greater chance of success.