Moyocoyotzin

Voiceover

Presenter(s)

Madjelyn de Jesus

Abstract or Description

This past year, I had the privilege to bring our project Moyocoyotzin to life. With our film Moyocoyotzin, which translates to “she who creates herself,” I wanted to create a deeply personal and thought-provoking film that delves into the complex relationship between a mother and daughter as they navigate the challenges of domestic abuse and the influence of Santeria in their lives. 

This film draws on my own experiences growing up and explores the themes of healing, resilience, and the power of family. My intention with this project was to shed light on the challenges that many families face when dealing with domestic abuse and the lasting impact that it can have on a person's life. As someone who grew up around Santeria, I also wanted to explore the ways in which spirituality and cultural traditions can be a source of strength and healing in difficult times. 

The mother-daughter relationship in the film is based on my own relationship with my mother. While our experiences were different, I wanted to capture the complexity of our relationship and how it evolved over time. We went through a lot together, and I wanted to show how we were able to find healing and strength in each other.

Santeria is a deeply personal and important part of my life, and I wanted to explore the ways in which it has helped me to navigate difficult situations. In the film, Santeria is portrayed as a source of comfort and guidance for the characters, and I wanted to show how it can be a powerful tool for healing and resilience. 

This practice is something that is too often portrayed as something dark, evil, or scary by those who do not understand its origins. During our location scout, we went to many different botanicas in the Denver area and I learned things that the women in my family never told me growing up which is that: during the slave trade when people were being brought to America, santeria was completely eradicated. People were not allowed to practice their faith and so over time, they began using catholic saints to represent the orishas in secrecy. This is how catholicism and santeria were weaved into each other as time went on. 

The preservation of this tradition is just as important to me as its representation. Showcasing the ways in which this practice has saved me in this film is a radical act to protect human rights, preserve cultural heritage, and strengthen spiritual practice. 

It has been an honor to work on this film with an amazing and resilient team. I have learned so much about collaboration, how to be vulnerable, and the importance of preserving these stories.