Guatemala's Jayro Bustamante Reignites the Fight for Indigenous Rights in 'Mountains of Fire' (EXCLUSIVE)

During the Panama International Film Festival (IFF Panama), renowned Guatemalan filmmaker Jayro Bustamante came to showcase his newest movie "Rita" and conduct a masterclass. He also took some time for an interview. To talk about his forthcoming projects, he will be discussing "Mountains of Fire" ("Cordillera de Fuego"), which recently finished post-production, as well as his debut comedy film, an adaptation of the 1998 Spanish romantic comedy "Nada en la nevera," roughly titled "Nothing in the Fridge."

Bustamante, whose movies have been nominated for the Oscar's Best International Feature category three times ("Ixcanul," " "Tremors" and "La Llorona," is recognized for utilizing the medium of film to address complex issues like Indigenous rights, systemic oppression, and LGBTQ+ rights.

According to Bustamante, who grew up in a Mayan community near Guatemala’s Lake Atitlán, "Mountains of Fire" started off as a social awareness initiative but was later transformed into a feature film.

The action-drama script written by Bustamante, Luis Pineda, and Margarita Kénefic follows two volcanologists portrayed by María Mercedes Coroy and Tatiana Palomo of "Ixcanul" fame as they journey through indigenous territories. Their mission: to alert and relocate residents about an emerging volcanic threat within what’s known as the fiery mountain region. As they undertake their task, they start unearthing deep-seated corruption prevalent in both the nation and its administration, revealing that marginalized ethnic groups remain overlooked priorities for those holding power.

Bustamante remembers the most recent volcanic eruption in Guatemala occurred in 2019 when three indigenous villages were engulfed by lava. He noted that although this event was labeled as a natural occurrence, losing lives qualifies it as a social disaster. “The inhabitants of these regions had previously been forced from their homes and relocated into hazardous zones,” he explained. "This situation reflects issues related to ethnicity, race, and societal inequality."

To get ready for his production, Bustamante established his traveling acting school, Academia Ixcanul, which he started in 2012 and has since coached upwards of 1,500 performers in Guatemala.

He mentioned that they engaged both the Cakchiquel and Tzutujil indigenous groups, providing acting workshops for multi-generational family members ranging from kids to adults and elders," referring to the four months spent preparing before production.

Stunt acting lessons were provided due to the numerous action sequences, he mentioned. Additionally, training in vessel operations was offered.

The production is led by his company La Casa de Producción together with his Paris-based Les Film du Volcán and his Ixcanul Foundation. He emphasized his pride in stating that this film is entirely Guatemalan, without any external funding. "Our aim is to demonstrate our capability to create fully Guatemalan movies without relying on international support whatsoever," he stated. In previous works, Guatemalan involvement steadily grew until reaching 90% for “Rita,” followed by the current project, "Mountains of Fire.”

Concerning its distribution, Bustamante noted that due to the significance of the message, he would avoid a festival screening or theater release and instead target a direct stream on a platform for dissemination.

He mentioned that since merely 9% of Guatemala’s populace has access to cinemas, with most individuals opting for their mobile devices to view media content, “While far from perfect, if these phones can enable more people to engage with material that prompts reflection, I am willing to put aside my directorial pride,” he reflected.

At the same time, he is working on his directorial debut—a comedy that shifts the setting of the Spanish romantic-comedy "Nada en la nevera" to a Latin American background, probably in Mexico. The project will be led produced by Cynthia Wiesner from Puerto Rico-based production and distribution company Wiesner Distribution ("El Cuartito").

The initial romantic comedy revolves around Carlota, a 27-year-old emergency vehicle operator based in Madrid, who is a devoted dreamer endlessly searching for Mr. Right. To her, nothing else compares to the importance of falling deeply in love, and this mounting worry compels her to frantically look for it. the one During an ordinary shift, she comes across a man suffering from food poisoning and instantly thinks he might be her soulmate.

"What really captivates me about this project is how humans have not made significant progress in grasping emotional bonds and building authentic relationships. We remain strongly tied to the concepts of romantic love and ownership," he reflected.

Bustamante also emphasized exploring the increasing importance of self-love. He questioned how one could nurture this self-love without letting it hinder relationships with others. Rather than concentrating solely on personal and interpersonal dynamics, they develop novel frameworks—this concept isn’t about polyamory; instead, it blends elements of self-appreciation, autonomy, and an underlying quest for someone who aids in deeper self-understanding.

He remarked, “What attracted me to this project was its appeal, coupled with its lighthearted tone, as fundamentally, it’s a comedy,” he went on to say, “I think laughter provides a wonderful means of addressing profound subjects. Since I genuinely lack answers regarding the creation of ideal relationships, perhaps the most enjoyable approach is to chuckle at our own actions.”