Nudo Mixteco

Three stories intertwine in a small village in Oaxaca. The Sierra Mixteca – a mountainous region between Puebla and Oaxaca – is sometimes called “Nudo Mixteco”, which translates to “Mixtecan knot” and refers to the three intertwining stories. It does not paint a pretty picture of the patriarchal village. María’s father rejects her because of her lesbian relationship, and at the same time she has to bury her mother. Esteban returns after working in the USA for five years, and at once demands the same old rights with his wife, Chabela. Toña was abused by her uncle as a child so she flees to the capital. She realizes her daughter, who she left behind with her mother, suffers the same sad fate. Fortunately there is still a village council (where according to old Mixtecan tradition, all villagers have a democratic right to vote) deciding over family matters. The director, who comes from this region herself, succeeds in capturing all contrasts in the daily life of the local society. Some of the actors are Mexican, but most of them come from this region. Conclusion: authentic cinema. Nudo Mixteco’s script is an outstanding piece of storytelling. A strong debut.