The Guardians

The Guardians 3.5* (2018) 70 min. PRAGDA. In Spanish with English subtitles. Directed by Ben Crosbie and Tessa Moran, The Guardians is an environmental film about protecting the Monarch butterflies that fly each fall from Canada to Mexico where they hibernate over winter.  Due to deforestation the number of butterflies has dramatically decreased in the past 20 years, and, in an effort to protect the Oyamel trees for the butterflies to rest, Mexico created the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve in 1986.  One of the reserve sites is Donaciano Ojedo and the indigenous people in the community show how they attempt to protect the forest from illegal loggers, reforest open areas each year, and struggle to farm and make a living there.  Some individuals in the community want to be able to use the forest for profit, so there are disagreements at the community meetings over how to best protect and still utilize some of the forest.  Santos is one of the men who gave up foresting to protect the trees; now he farms fish and raises avocados to feed his family.  Santos describes the challenges of protecting the forest, dealing with plagues on his avocados, and guarding his orchard. Santos even gets arrested for having a gun. After five months in prison, the judge decides Santos has the right to protect his land.  Aristeo starts a tree nursery and he carefully nurtures the saplings against drought and storms.  He explains the importance of caring for the trees-- especially for the next generation growing up-- and, the community will help him with reforesting 60,000 trees in the coming year.  Every night the men in the community take turns patrolling the forest looking for illegal logging activities.  In the spring the butterflies head north and reproduce in Texas; the next generation of butterflies will continue to Canada.  The images of the tall forest are beautiful, and, with the branches entirely covered by monarch butterflies, the trees are truly magnificent. With wonderful original music and storytelling, the film captures the heart of community life as families celebrate the Day of the Dead—a day that coincides with the return of the Monarch butterflies.  Highly recommended.  Aud: J, H, C, P. (T. Root)