People often talk about Indigenous populations in Central America in the past tense, but native traditions and worldviews still thrive in coastal Oaxaca. These communities live near water—be it a river or their sacred saltwater lagoon—and struggle to maintain their ways of life as encroaching farms and urban populations see Mixtec-held microclimates as economic resources. The fallout from this struggle flows downstream to the coast, where Afro-Mexican fishermen watch schools of fish dwindle and the quality of their catches decline. The Luck of Water is an eco-anthropological exploration of these intersecting issues. Through the camera’s eye, we witness how the problems of global warming and modern society might have solutions rooted in ancient Indigenous wisdom.
Filmmakers Ignacio Decerega and Cristóbal Jasso, both known for their decades of experience with Indigenous-centered films in Mexico, demonstrate their deep cultural understanding in every frame of this compelling documentary. The question “what stopped the rain?” is asked and reframed throughout the film, capturing not only ecological urgency but also the cultural philosophies, beliefs, and survival strategies of the people featured.
Winner of the Special Award at the FICWALLMAPU International Film and Indigenous Arts Festival in Chile and screened at over a dozen other film festivals, The Luck of Water is a critical success. It will appeal to viewers interested in Native cultures, Mexico, and environmental justice, as well as those who appreciate visually rich documentaries and anthropological storytelling. For the way it blends a timely ecological message with an intimate cultural portrait of life in Oaxaca, The Luck of Water earns a place on any educational or green-focused documentary shelf. Highly Recommended.
What academic subject can use this Indigenous environmental justice documentary in the classroom?
The Luck of Water is ideal for courses in Environmental Studies, Anthropology, Indigenous Studies, Latin American Studies, and Climate Justice Education. Academic librarians curating documentary collections or teaching with film programs will find this film especially relevant for exploring the intersection of ecology, tradition, and cultural survival.
Why is this one of the best environmental justice films for your documentary film collection?
This award-winning film belongs in any documentary resource focused on eco-activism, Indigenous rights, or sustainable living. It’s a perfect fit for public and academic libraries building green media archives, film programming around water and land justice, or collections on native resilience and knowledge systems. Its blend of ethnographic narrative and artistic cinematography also supports media literacy education.