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Two Stories of Memory and Passion: Gustavo Marcovich and Camila Mendoza Present Their Documentaries at The the 24th FICM

Brisa Naomi R. L.

As part of the 24th Morelia International Film Festival (FICM), filmmakers Gustavo Marcovich and Camila Mendoza presented two independent documentaries focused on collective memory and accounts of historical moments: Avándaro 71: La visión de los vecinos and El Sahara F.C.: la vida en chorcitos. The event was also attended by Daniela Michel, founder and director of the FICM.

Camila Mendoza emphasized that both projects were produced entirely independently—self-managed and created with a minimal crew—relying on small cameras and the support of friends to bring these two stories to the screen.

Avándaro 71: La visión de los vecinos explores the perspectives and experiences of the residents of Valle de Bravo during the historic 1971 Avándaro rock festival, examining the impact that the massive arrival of nearly 100,000 young "hippies" (*jipitecas*) had on the local community.

Meanwhile, the film El Sahara F.C.: la vida en chorcitos delves into the enduring and deeply rooted culture of amateur soccer played at an altitude of over two thousand meters. Through an intimate, day-to-day lens, the film portrays the profound motivation of a group of players—members of the Sahara Español, F.C. team, part of the alumni league from the Colegio Madrid. Despite the physical toll and slim chances of victory, they show up every Saturday, driven purely by a passion for the game—a testament to perseverance and a shared sporting identity.

Gustavo Marcovich thanked the organizers and the audience, noting that both productions aim to "rescue the memory, chronicles, and testimonies" of events with significant historical and social value.