Religion is a theme often explored in documentaries. Sometimes it’s to illustrate the good aspects, such as a preacher going above and beyond for their community or the life of a saintly figure. Other times it focuses on the evil, tackling figures like Jim Jones or David Koresh or another cult-like phenomenon. Mundo doesn’t necessarily paint a picture of good or evil.
The film’s primary character is Matilde, an old woman belonging to the Aymara people. This group of people is bound to the mountains across Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, and Chile. Like any indigenous group, the Aymara have been subject to a wave of conversions. People like Matilde are doing their best to resist. However, their beliefs are causing them grief as well.
The Aymara believe Earth to be Satan’s domain. Matilde, witnessing the breakdown of a once-great planet, believes Earth to be a less trustworthy place, and must cling to her faith in an uncertain world. The film is a short yet effective look into one woman’s crisis of faith. However, the MVP of the film’s runtime is the breathtaking views of the mountains, rivers, and other landscapes found throughout the land the Aymara occupy. It’s simple, yet riveting.