In San Pedro Amuzgos, Oaxaca, Mexico—known as "the town of the spinners"—director Ismael Vásquez Bernabé returns to the community that shaped him. As a child, Vásquez Bernabé would lie under his mother’s loom and ponder life beyond his own existence in his small town. Now, as an adult, he follows this curiosity by focusing three key figures of the community. Donato, a recently deceased legendary violinist; his son Lorenzo, who is attempting to uphold his father’s legacy; and his own mother, Zoila, the only one of her sisters who still practices the art of weaving. Through these intertwined tales of music, dance, and tradition, the film explores the delicate threads that connect generations and the vital role of preserving cultural practices essential to the survival of an indigenous community. "It’s up to us who remain to rescue the cloth on the loom."
"Library patrons or students who are interested in ethnographical film or the culture of Oaxaca, however, will be thrilled to see this documentary on library shelves. For it’s beautiful cinematography and its impressive ability to cut to the quick of one town’s culture, anyone who runs a university collection that serves an active anthropology department should consider The Weavers' Songs when fleshing out titles about Indigenous culture or Latin America. For those who appreciate thoughtful, meditative storytelling, The Weaver’s Songs offers a profound and visually stunning exploration of tradition, memory, and cultural preservation that resonates well beyond its intimate setting. Highly Recommended." - Video Librarian
"The filmmaker's deliberate pacing and measured approach reflect a community that consciously rejects the urgency associated with mass production. The artisans appreciate the time and patience essential for creating authentic works of art. This documentary is highly recommended for those interested in Anthropology, Indigenous communities, music, and Latin American studies." - Educational Media Reviews Online
