Heart of Sky, Heart of Earth ( Herz des Himmels, Herz der Erde ) ( Kardia tou ouranou, kardia tis gis )

Heart of Sky, Heart of Earth (DVD) (*)

~~$30.99~~ $27.98

Original Title: Herz des Himmels, Herz der Erde
Alternate Title: Kardia tou ouranou, kardia tis gis
Language Selections:
English ( Subtitles )
French ( Subtitles )
German ( Subtitles )
Italian ( Subtitles )
Spanish ( Dolby Digital 2.0 )
Spanish ( Dolby Digital 5.1 )
Spanish ( Subtitles )

Product Origin/Format:
Germany ( PAL/Region 0 )

Running Time:
88 min

Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen (1.78:1)

Special Features:
Cast/Crew Interview(s)
Interactive Menu
Scene Access
Booklet

Movie filmed in 2011 and produced in:
Germany ( Germany, Central Europe )

Directed By:
Eric Black
Frauke Sandig

Written By:
Eric Black
Frauke Sandig

Actors:
Josefa 'Chepita' Hernández Pérez ..... Herself
Floridalma Pérez Gonzalez ..... Herself
Carlos Chan Chanuk ..... Himself
Kajkan Felipe Mejía Sepet ..... Himself
Alonso Mendez ..... Himself
Don Antonio Martinez ..... Himself
Gregoria Crisanta Pérez ..... Herself
Maudilia Lopez Cardona ..... Herself
Comandante David ..... Himself
Jerónimo ..... Himself

Synopsis:

Clouds pass before the sun and away again while a gentle voice speaking in the splendid tones of the Mayan language explains how the Earth came to be. There were no humans or animals; there was only sky. According to the ancient Maya, this great cycle of their calendar will end in 2012. But for the source of the world's demise, there is no need to look to the esoteric. The remote homelands of some nine million present-day Maya in Chiapas and Guatemala present a perfect microcosm for witnessing how greed is already ravaging the earth and indigenous cultures. With stunning imagery, six young Maya present their daily and ceremonial life, revealing their determination to resist the destruction of their environment, their rainforests and their native corn. One salient example is the huge open pit in Guatemala, where the largest gold mine in Central America has recently been dug. The earth has been stripped and laid bare for the grabbing hands of a Canadian multinational. The Maya suspect the red lumps on their children's skin are caused by cyanide from the mine. They are now in such dire straits that, while some keep silent out of fear for their lives, others are mobilizing. Their cosmo-vision, in which all life is sacred and interconnected, presents a deeply compelling alternative to the prevailing world view.

The great cycle of the ancient Mayan calendar will end on December 21st, 2012. How does the story end? Do the oceans collapse? Does the sky fall as the last tree is cut? This is not our culture, not what we believe, yet it has an eerie resonance with what we do know and fear: the thin surface of the planet which holds all life is being destroyed at a terrifying rate and we seem unwilling to stop it. The end of the Mayan calendar is now part of our own manufactured mythology and New Age books continue to flood the market. But for the source of our demise, there is no need to look to the esoteric. The remote homelands of some nine million present day Maya in Chiapas and Guatemala present a perfect microcosm for witnessing how unhindered globalization is already destroying the Earth and consuming indigenous cultures, now under attack for their natural resources from all sides. Heart of Sky, Heart of Earth presents another worldview, following six young Maya into their daily and ceremonial life, revealing their determination to resist the destruction of their culture and environment. They put forth a wholly indigenous perspective in their own words. Each touches upon a facet of the current global crisis: Chan K'in is studying to be the last shaman of the Lacandon Maya, living amongst what was formerly the largest and most biodiverse rainforest in North America, now an island of green in a sea of cattle ranches. 'The elders are now dreaming in synch: the water will turn color, bringing with it the end of the current world.' Alonso, a Mayan astro-archaeologist working among the majestic ruins of Palenque is obsessed the way his ancestors were obsessed: with time and space. It is he who makes the association between the end of the Mayan empire, the ending of this cycle of time and the impending collapse of nature today. Chepita, in the highlands of Chiapas, is on a crusade to save the corn, the mythical origin of the Maya, from infection from Monsanto's genetically modified hybrids. The massive 'dumping' of imported North American corn has unleashed a diaspora: The Maya cannot sell their corn, and even within Chepita's family, members have become part of a river of millions forced to migrating North. Jerónimo was a former commander of the Zapatistas: 'Before we were faceless in their eyes. With banderas covering our faces, they now must see us.' Flori grew up in a state of constant fear after having had to flee the genocide as a little girl in Guatemala. Now she is returning to her native village where half of her family was murdered, to organize her people against a Canadian gold mine poisoning their environment and resurrecting the terror and trauma. Felipe became a spiritual guide dedicated to the ceremonies of his Mayan ancestors, first to save himself from drug addiction and then to heal his people.

According to the ancient Mayans, the present world as we know it will end on December 21, 2012 and a new cycle will arise. What is the truth behind the predictions of the Mayan calendar? How will the story end? This empowering human rights documentary allows the Mayans of today to provide the answers. Through the use of exquisite dreamlike imagery and music set against the harsh realities of corrupt governments and heartless multinationals, directors Eric Black and Frauke Sandig present the intimate stories of six modern-day Mayans intent on preserving the sacred ceremonies of their ancestors and incorporating them into everyday life. Ultimately, Heart of Sky, Heart of Earth is a deeply moving and haunting film that gives voice to the indigenous people who understand their calendar not as an inevitable prophecy but as the closing of a circle, and a way to a new beginning.

This product was added to our catalog on Monday 05 November, 2012.

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