This intriguing documentary by renowned Hopi filmmaker, Victor Masayesva, Jr., explores the cultural heritage of the Hopi, Nahua, and Maya peoples in relation to their reverence around and reliance upon corn. Through artistic interpretations of myth and legend, Masayesva introduces us to the history of corn and shows us its long-lasting impact on a number of native cultures. We are introduced to a number of elders from various tribes who explain in their mother tongues the importance of ecological approaches to subsistence, telling the tales of their people’s creation and discussing recent history concerning genetically modified organisms and pesticides. The very presence of these plants disrupts and perverts the natural order which sustained Uto-Aztec peoples since the birth of their cultures.
Waaki (Sanctuary) is incredibly poetic, using artistic visuals and creative cinematography to tell creation stories and reinforce cultural ideas as various elders speak. The content in Waaki (Sanctuary) is mostly emotional and artistic. Some interesting points about natural food and agriculture are brought up, but these ideas are overshadowed by the compelling creation stories that make up the bulk of this film’s content. The film's native worldview and creative filmmaking will be of interest to patrons looking for native art or creative ethnography.
Viewers seeking information may be confused or disappointed, as the native worldview at the film’s center focuses on culture, not science. A valid point is made that GMOs are used by agribusiness corporations to corner profits, deny locals access to affordable or renewable seeds and wreak havoc on local ecology through pest-resistant traits being passed to native crops via pollination. Further examination of such technology is simply rejected, however. Ecologists and botanists won’t find information about farming techniques, and the rejection of GMOs is purely spiritual, making Waaki (Sanctuary) a bit lacking in concrete information. The good that transgenic plants can achieve without a profit motive is completely overshadowed by belief: The subjects of this film believe the technology to be nothing but a perversion of nature when the transformation of corn from a spindly grass to the staple crop we all know used much the same process just over thousands of years. While the opinions stated are interesting, they are just that; opinions. Recommended.
Where does this title belong on public library shelves?
Waaki (Sanctuary) would fit in ecology, native American history or culture, and ethnography collections.
What is the retail price and/or Public Performance License fee?
$320 DVD Institutional; $600 DSL-Life of File Institutional