Ixcanul 2016

The story unfolds in a village nestled at the foot of an active volcano, where Maria and her family passionately tend to their coffee crops. The Kaqchikel villagers, like many Mayans, harmoniously blend elements of Catholicism with their age-old Maya traditions, honoring both the Christian God and the goddess believed to reside within the volcano. Confined within her village, Maria’s life revolves around the land and its customs. Although she is betrothed to Ignacio, the plantation foreman, her heart yearns for Pepe, a younger worker eager to escape to the United States. Pepe paints an enticing image of America, a place brimming with abundance and opportunities that seem unattainable in Guatemala. When Maria inquires about traveling with him, Pepe suggests a troubling condition—intimacy with him, despite cautioning her about the perils of the journey across deserts and rivers.

As fate would have it, the plantation becomes infested with dangerous snakes, making it increasingly perilous for Maria and her family to cultivate their fields. Ignacio leaves for the city, assuring Maria he will return to marry her. Driven by curiosity and perhaps desperation, the innocent Maria indulges in exploring her sexuality and, in a moment of vulnerability, seduces Pepe outside their bar. After they share a passionate encounter, Pepe reassures her that pregnancy is unlikely on their first time, but unbeknownst to her, Maria becomes pregnant. Despite his earlier promises, Pepe abandons her after squandering his wages at the bar, leaving her emotionally shattered and without a trace of his intentions.

Upon learning of Maria’s pregnancy, her parents are enraged, fearing the wrath of Ignacio, who may evict them from their home. Her mother, Juana, desperately attempts various folk remedies to terminate the pregnancy, but none prove effective, leading her to believe that the child is meant to be born. In a bid to save their livelihoods, Maria proposes that if they could drive the snakes away, they could replant their coffee and thus secure their future against eviction. However, their attempt to clear the fields leads to another snake infestation. Juana informs Maria that pregnancy gifts her with a mystical “light” to fend off danger, urging her to seek the help of a Mayan shaman. Though cautious, Maria decides to undertake the ritual, attempting to harness her inner strength, but unfortunately, she suffers a snake bite in the process and is rushed to a nearby hospital.

At the hospital, the language barrier creates a formidable obstacle as the staff cannot communicate with Maria, leaving her in a state of confusion regarding her treatment and paperwork. Eventually, she survives the ordeal, but the devastating news follows—her baby has not made it. Devastated and consumed by grief, Maria seeks closure by unearthing her child, only to discover the coffin contains nothing but a brick and a blanket. Determined to find justice and uncover the truth, Maria and her family take their plight to the authorities, but the Spanish-speaking police dismiss their complaints, leaving them to navigate through systemic barriers. Ignacio, manipulating the situation, sabotages their attempts for help. The film culminates with Maria, resigned yet dignified, as she dons traditional Mayan bridal attire, preparing to marry Ignacio, trapped in a web of her circumstances.