It’s long been difficult for women and indigenous people in Mexico to find political representation in their country; such was certainly the case in 2018, during the presidential candidacy of Nahua woman María de Jesús Patricio Martínez (also known as Marichuy). In his documentary, Paty’s Journey (El Viaje de Paty), Santiago Pedroche chronicles the local efforts of one indigenous woman of the Wixarika people, Patricia “Paty” Salas, to advocate for the native people of Mexico by campaigning for Marichuy. Although the documentary fails to provide enough context needed for a comprehensive understanding of Mexico’s political landscape, it never loses sight of the misogyny and indigenous struggle at the root of Paty’s and Marichuy’s fight.
As a representative for her community at the National Indigenous Congress (CNI), Paty’s goal is to rouse native people to action. “National legislation is written by the few, the ones with money, and they forsake the downtrodden,” she reminds them. “Before belonging to an institution, we’re part of an indigenous community.” And with María de Jesús Patricio Martínez as their spokesperson, they can be heard as a community. It’s an inspiring call-to-action speech, yet the majority–male audience's response is dishearteningly lukewarm. Paty is a stalwart, however, in all upward climbs. She never gives up the struggle to gain signatures for Marichuy’s candidacy, even as she must spend so much time away from home.
One would think Pedroche’s eye would train Paty during this time away–it should. But the filmmaker is more concerned with Paty’s husband and his role in taking care of the children at home. While this makes for a lovely paradigm, setting up this role reversal in stark contrast with the patriarchal setting, it’s an inordinate amount of time to spend on this man in a documentary named after Paty. And it would be spent much better in broadening our understanding of Paty’s (and Marichuy’s) job, goals, and obstacles.
As it is, that understanding is murky. In Paty’s campaigning for María de Jesús Patricio Martínez, it’s clear she wants someone to understand the specific struggles of indigenous people in Mexico. The problem is that Pedroche doesn’t dive deeply into what those struggles are–beyond a vague sense of the community’s poverty and lack of advocacy–nor how Marichuy will solve them. Pedroche’s documentation of Paty’s journey not only feels unfinished; it feels as if it barely ever began. The director/cinematographer certainly has a talented eye for the arts. But if the beauty of his artistic approach isn’t supporting the purpose of education, what is it for? Ultimately, Paty’s Journey is beautiful, but it leaves us wanting more—an optional purchase.
What academic library shelves would this title be on?
Santiago Pedroche’s Paty’s Journey belongs on academic library shelves categorized as documentaries, world politics, feminist studies, world cinema, and Spanish-language films.
What academic subjects would this film be suitable for?
In its documentation of Patricia Salas’ support for the Mexican presidential candidacy of María de Jesús Patricio Martínez (Marichuy), Paty’s Journey would be a suitable screening for teaching about world politics.
Does this film have Public Performance Rights available?
Yes! It is $250 to purchase a DVD of Paty’s Journey with public performance rights. For more information, you can visit EPF Media’s website.