El compromiso de las sombras (2021), a poignant documentary by Sandra Luz López Barroso, offers a deep and intimate exploration of funerary rituals in the community of San Nicolás Tolentino, Guerrero, Mexico. The film brings the viewer into the world of Lizbeth Domínguez, a trans Afro-Mexican woman who performs the sacred and vital role of guiding the dead through their final journey. As she leads these rituals, surrounded by music, prayers, altars, and vibrant colors, Lizbeth embodies a unique cultural and religious syncretism - one where life and death exist as part of an inseparable cycle, constantly intertwined.
In San Nicolás Tolentino, there are no funeral homes, hospitals, or clergy to oversee the passing of the community members. Lizbeth, with her deep ancestral knowledge, has taken on the responsibility of caring for the deceased, comforting families, and ensuring that the souls of the departed "die well." For over a decade, she has held this central role, preserving customs passed down through generations. López Barroso's documentary delves beyond the rituals themselves, focusing on the deeper aspects of grief and the comforting process that follows death. Through Lizbeth's spiritual guidance, the filmmaker not only highlights the importance of death rituals but also tackles the broader themes of mourning and the need for solace in the face of the unfathomable mystery that death represents.
.jpg)
Sandra Luz López Barroso has had a long-standing connection to the Costa Chica of Guerrero, where San Nicolás Tolentino is located. She first arrived in the region 16 years ago as an anthropologist, later transitioning into filmmaking. During her early research, she became fascinated by the figure of Doña Catalina Noyola Bruno, a revered woman in San Nicolás. Doña Cata, illiterate but passionate about traditional music and poetry, was a central figure in López Barroso's exploration of the region’s cultural traditions. In an effort to understand Doña Cata’s legacy, López Barroso found herself exploring not only the life of this fascinating woman but also the broader themes of cultural identity and tradition in the region. Doña Cata’s great-grandson, Artemio, became the subject of López Barroso’s first film, Artemio (2017), which followed his journey between the Costa Chica and the United States. However, it was through the figure of Lizbeth Domínguez that López Barroso would continue her exploration of the region’s unique cultural practices. Lizbeth, inheritor of a long tradition of women performing funerary rituals, became the focal point of El compromiso de las sombras. López Barroso’s first encounter with Lizbeth took place in 2007, around the time of Doña Cata’s passing. At that time, López Barroso was involved in research, and Lizbeth played a crucial role in helping guide the spiritual process surrounding Doña Cata's funeral. The loss of López Barroso’s own father in 2016 deepened her desire to explore the rituals of death in San Nicolás, and Lizbeth became the perfect guide to help her navigate the delicate and intimate nature of funerary practices.
.jpg)
Filming such private moments as funerary rituals posed a unique challenge for the filmmaker. However, Lizbeth proved to be not just a subject but also a facilitator of the process. She served as a bridge between the filmmakers and the families of the deceased, presenting them to the community and explaining the purpose of the documentary. While some families declined the filmmakers' presence, most accepted, allowing them to capture the intimate and sacred moments of their grief and farewell. In her portrayal of Lizbeth, López Barroso showcases her as both a spiritual authority and a woman of great wisdom. Lizbeth’s connection to the natural world, her premonitions, and the way she guides the ceremonies demonstrate a profound bond with ancient traditions that have been passed down through generations. One of the film’s key moments captures Lizbeth predicting an earthquake through a shift in the wind, a small but powerful reflection of her deep spiritual awareness and connection to the unseen forces of nature. Through such moments, López Barroso captures Lizbeth’s role as a channel for ancestral knowledge, emphasizing the intangible elements of the rituals, such as memory, pain, and premonitions.
.jpg)
El compromiso de las sombras takes an anthropological approach, offering a unique perspective on the funeral practices of this Afro-Mexican community. The film focuses on the experiences of Lizbeth and the broader community of women who play a central role in the funerary rituals. Through their actions, they ensure that the dead are treated with dignity and respect, guiding their souls through a sacred journey toward the afterlife. The film presents a holistic view of the funerary process, where the community’s women act autonomously and carry out essential duties that ensure the continuity of the ritualistic practices. Through López Barroso’s careful observation, we see the emotional depth of these rituals - hands that tenderly arrange candles and flowers, voices that sing songs of mourning, and the careful placement of altars that honor the deceased. The camera often focuses on the physicality of these acts, highlighting the tactile connection between the women and their environment, rather than seeking to glorify or sensationalize their roles. The film refrains from turning these moments into dramatic spectacles, instead emphasizing the beauty of the rituals in their raw simplicity. One of the striking features of El compromiso de las sombras is its depiction of Lizbeth as a symbol of the broader collective of women. The documentary begins by focusing on her voice, which gradually becomes more central in the visual narrative. As the rituals unfold, the focus shifts from Lizbeth as an individual to the broader group of women, with Lizbeth serving as a guide and connector. In doing so, López Barroso emphasizes the importance of the community over any individual, underscoring the deeply interconnected nature of the rituals.
The film’s cinematography enriches the cultural narrative of El compromiso de las sombras, as it frames the rituals within the context of the natural world. Lizbeth, walking through the nights of mourning, is portrayed almost as part of the landscape itself, her figure blending into the shadows of the Costa Chica. The documentary’s aesthetic evokes a sense of continuity, where the past, present, and future are inseparable from the land, the people, and the spirits of the deceased. The relationship between Lizbeth and the landscape is a key element of the film. Her identity is shaped by her connection to the land, and her role as a spiritual guide is intricately tied to the physical and symbolic space around her. The use of shadows, reflections, and natural elements throughout the film serves as a reminder of the invisible yet ever-present forces that shape the community's spiritual life. In the final scenes, the film opens up to the sounds of the environment - the songs of mourning, the sounds of the night, and the gentle hum of nature. The music, the prayers, and the quiet moments of reflection help to shape a sensory experience that transcends mere observation, inviting the viewer to participate in the ritual of mourning and remembrance.
López Barroso’s approach to filmmaking is deeply personal, focusing on relationships rather than the subjects themselves. Her connection to the people of San Nicolás Tolentino and her years of research allowed her to establish a level of trust that was crucial in capturing these deeply personal rituals. Through her camera, she creates a space for intimacy and reflection, allowing the viewer to feel a part of the community’s shared experience of loss. The film’s success lies not only in its anthropological exploration of funerary practices but also in its ability to foster a sense of shared humanity. Through Lizbeth’s leadership and the collective strength of the women, El compromiso de las sombras offers a glimpse into a world where death is not feared, but embraced as an essential part of life. It is a world where the living and the dead exist in harmony, each playing a role in the cycles of nature and spirit.
One of the more subtle aspects of El compromiso de las sombras is its exploration of gender identity in a traditional and deeply spiritual context. Lizbeth, a trans woman, occupies a unique position within the community. While she faces the challenges of violence and discrimination, she has also earned the respect of the people around her, particularly the women who taught her the rituals and supported her in her spiritual journey. The documentary highlights how Lizbeth's gender identity intersects with her spiritual role, showing that her trans status does not hinder her acceptance in the community. Instead, it reveals the fluidity of gender roles within the broader context of the region’s spiritual and cultural practices. Lizbeth's story challenges conventional notions of gender while simultaneously emphasizing the importance of community and ritual in the spiritual life of San Nicolás.
El compromiso de las sombras is a deeply moving exploration of life, death, and the rituals that bind them. Through the figure of Lizbeth Domínguez, Sandra Luz López Barroso creates a powerful meditation on the cycles of existence, the importance of community, and the role of women in preserving cultural traditions. The film is both a tribute to the resilience of a community and a personal journey of understanding grief and loss. In the end, El compromiso de las sombras reminds us that death is not an end, but a continuation - a commitment to the shadows that guide the living and the dead in an eternal dance.
Image credits: YouTube
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
No comments:
Post a Comment