Telleth of Those Who Dwell in the Water
In this lyrically jaw-dropping period piece from Mexico City, a young man named Rufario Salamanca is sent to Nueva Espana (New Spain) in order to
serve Friar Bernardino, whose lifelong mission is to document every, tiny
thing that grows in the region. Guided by a mysterious native woman, and
together with his mixed race brother and the friar, Rufario sails into
swampy waters, finding marvelous beasts—all main characters of ancient
pagan tales. One of these creatures, the axolotl, is of particular interest to him, for he finds in the myth of its creation an escape from what has long seemed an imposed destiny. His search for true identity crystallizes when he spies his reflection on the wise lakes of New Spain, where
salamanders have chosen to be, but not to evolve.
Inspired by the writings of Franciscan friar Bernardino de Sahagun, De Sabandijas En El Agua (Telleth of Those Who Dwell in the Water) sinks deep into the soul. Mexican student helmer Roy Ambriz, who both wrote and directed the film, lulls you to sleep with a song—a strange, exquisite tune through which fantasy, and aspirations for heaven, are melded from art, to dream—to reality.
You can watch the trailer here: Telleth of Those Who Dwell in the Water Trailer
