Between Light and Shadow: Maya Women in Transition

Produced by John McKay,Kathryn Lipke Vigesaa. 27 min. Color. 1997. Available as: VHS and DVD Captioned: No Catalog #: 0071 Order this title Sale Price: $195.00 Apply for Discount

This vibrant, wide-ranging documentary examines the impact on contemporary Maya culture of changes in the lives and expectations of Maya women in Guatemala. Traditionally, weaving and textiles have played a central role in the lives of Maya women. Today, however, Maya women are expanding their vision of their identity and their role: although they maintain important links to their cultural traditions, they are seeking greater access to education and entering such fields as teaching, health care, marketing, and painting.

The film examines the lives of a number of these Maya women and explores their efforts to improve their social and economic situation and at the same time perpetuate and revitalize their rich traditional culture. Produced by Kathryn Lipke Vigesaa.

Reviews

"Beautifully conceived, captured, and crafted, this documentary is at once visually appealing and thought-provoking. It focuses on Maya women, their art, and their changing role in Guatemalan society, and allows the women to speak memorably of themselves, their art, and their world. Through their voices the film also touches on such related issues as ethnic identity, pride, and revitalization. I highly recommend it for introductory classes in anthropology, women's studies, art, and Latin American studies." -- Prof. Richard Rinke, Dept. of Anthropology and Sociology, Champlain College

Awards

• Latin American Studies Assn. Award of Merit
• "Best Independent Documentary," Canadian International Film Festival