Camcorder Guerilla Cinema presents: MAYAN VOICES

7.30pm - Radio Qman Txun : Portrait of Mayan Village
(Max López/ Miguel Ángel Arnaíz, 2005)

Radio Qman Txun is a portrait of Todos Santos Cuchumatán, a Mayan village belonging to the Mam tradition, in the Highlands of Guatemala. The film centres on the local radio station, Radio Qman Txun. The local fiesta is about to take place just a week before the general elections. We hear local Mayan Voices – such as Cristalina the “queen” of  the fiesta, Rosendo, the radio presenter and Fortunato, a local teacher, who is standing as a candidate and witness dramas such as an epic horse race and rituals mixing Mayan and Catholic beliefs.

8.25pm - Salud y Solidaridad : Scotland and the Zapatistas
(Camcorder Guerillas/Chiapas Solidarity Groups, 2007)

Salud y Solidaridad (Health & Solidarity) explores how the Zapatistas in the rural Highlands of Chipas Mexico are twinned with solidarity groups in Scotland. The twinning supports the Zapatistas struggle for liberty, democracy and justice for all the indigenous people of Mexico. Scottish Zapatista Solidarity Group support has provided materials to build a health centre and they now contribute to its running costs. The twinning has also established fair trade links between the Zapatistas in the 16 Febrero Autonomous Municipality and Scottish  Solidarity groups who sell their crafts and coffee. They help support schools and craft collectives in over 40 indigenous villages.

8.45pm Discussion/Q & A
With contributions from local film makers and activists