Press Kit

SŪKŪJULA TEI

(Stories of My Mother)

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Pronunciation and Style Guide
Pronunciation: SŪKŪJULA TEI [Soo-koo-ha-la Tay]

When referencing the title please use all upper case for SŪKŪJULA TEI, and use the Wayuu title with the English or Spanish translation after: SŪKŪJULA TEI (Stories of My Mother). Spanish translation: (Relatos de mi Madre)

A film by | David Hernández Palmar and Flor Palmar (Wayuu Iipuana)

Producers | Taylor Hensel, Adam Mazo, Kavita Pillay, and Tracy Rector.

Synopsis
Rosa, a wise Wayuu woman, travels to her sister Amaliata’s village for a long overdue visit. As she enters the village, she encounters Amaliata’s children, upon whom she will impart important lessons about sharing and caring for each other. In the sisters’ conversations, viewers are introduced to common understandings of how reciprocity is enacted in Wayuu life.

Logline
During a visit to her sister Amaliata, Rosa, a wise Wayuu woman, teaches Amaliata’s grandchildren the importance of reciprocity within their culture.

About Reciprocity Project
Facing a climate crisis, the Reciprocity Project embraces Indigenous value systems that have bolstered communities since the beginning of time. To heal, we must recognize that we are in relationship with Earth, a place that was in balance since time immemorial. This short film series and multimedia platform invites learning from time-honored and current Indigenous ways of being. Reciprocity Project is a co-production of Nia Tero and Upstander Project, in association with REI Co-op Studios.

FILMMAKERS

Director
David Hernández Palmar (Wayuu, IIPUANA Clan) Journalist, photographer, filmmaker / Curator of Latin American and Caribbean Film specializing in Indigenous Film / Member of the Wayuu People Communications Network / Director of the Indigenous Audiovisual Foundation Wayaakua / Curator and Programmer of the Wayuu Film and Video Showcase / Curator and Programmer of the International Indigenous Film Showcase of Venezuela MICIV / Political Advisor for Latin American Coordinator of Cinema and Communication of Indigenous Peoples CLACPI / Guest Curator for Daupará – Indigenous Film and Video Showcase in Colombia / Former Advisor for special selection NATIVe of the Berlinale International Film Festival / Consultant for the Prince Claus Foundation / Member of The Indigenous Media and Communication Caucus / Member of the Programmers of Color Collective POC2.

Artist statement
This film shares a memory of my mother's childhood, and I adapted it to recreate a parable of reciprocity through an everyday encounter of Wayuu People, visually inspired by the stories of Ramón Paz Ipuana, a great Wayuu writer. The mise-en-scene embraces the simplicity of everyday life with hints of Indigenous futurism that suggest that our future is a return to a community aesthetic. I feel that the camera is like a spirit that was also visiting the set. Making this film reaffirms that Indigenous Peoples can make movies and tell their own stories even under adverse conditions. When dreamers come together, we can achieve a beautiful result.

About Reciprocity Project
In Season One of this multimedia project, storytellers and community partners created films in response to a question: What does ‘reciprocity’ mean to you and your community? Facing a climate crisis, the Reciprocity Project embraces Indigenous value systems that have bolstered communities since time immemorial.Reciprocity Project invites global Indigenous filmmakers to center Indigenous perspectives about the reciprocal relationship between all beings — seen and unseen — and the lands we inhabit.

Collaborators

Nia Tero is a US-based non-profit working in solidarity with Indigenous peoples and movements worldwide with a mission of securing Indigenous guardianship of vital ecosystems. Nia Tero is committed to an antiracist and inclusive culture centering Indigenous rights, wisdom, practices, worldviews, and protocols.

Upstander Project is a Boston-based non-profit that uses storytelling to amplify silenced narratives, develop upstander skills to challenge systemic injustice, and nurture compassionate, courageous relationships that honor the interconnection of all beings and the Earth. Upstander Project envisions a world rooted in responsibility and respect for all where upstanders confront injustice and repair harm to ensure all beings thrive together.

REI Co-op Studios develops and produces stories that entertain, enrich and explore the power of time spent outside, while complementing the co-op’s broader climate and racial equity, diversity, and inclusion commitments.

PRESS & Acclaim

“A touching, multilayered poem on the cohesion of generations, the strength of community, of family, of tradition - and the power of place.”
- Maryanne Redpath

Süküjula Tei' (Stories of My Mother) premiered at Big Sky Documentary Film Festival in February of 2022 and has enjoyed a robust film festival run at festivals around the world, including: Skábmagovat Indigenous Peoples’ Film Festival, Cartagena International Film Festival (FICCI), Environmental Film Festival in the Nation's Capital, Maoriland Film Festival, Asinabka Film and Media Arts Festival, Vancouver Latin American Film Festival, Boston International Film Festival, NW Folklife Film Festival, International Presence Autochthonous Festival, and imagineNATIVE.

Podcast Episodes about the film

News

Credits

SŪKŪJULA TEI (Stories of My Mother)

A film by David Hernández Palmar (Wayuu Iipuana)
Filmed in the Wayuu Community of Majali, Wounmainkat | Abya Yala
A Nia Tero and Upstander Project Production
In association with REI Co-op Studios

FEATURING:
Rosa - Flor Palmar (Wayuu Iipuana)
Amaliata - Daisy Camargo (Wayuu Epieyu)
Jasai - Yeliza Uriana (Wayuu Uriana)
Kushematai - Cristian González (Wayuu Epieyu)
Joutai - Keiber Camargo (Wayuu Epieyu)
Juyaa - Keider Camargo (Wayuu Epieyu)

DIRECTORS OF PHOTOGRAPHY:
Duiren Wagua (Guna Dule)

ORIGINAL STORY BY
Flor Palmar

SCREENPLAY ADAPTED BY
David Hernández Palmar

EDITOR
Duiren Wagua

ASSISTANT EDITOR
Sauli PillaY

ADDITIONAL EDITING
David Hernández Palmar

ASSOCIATE PRODUCER
Flor Palmar

FIELD PRODUCER
Marbel Vanegas (Wayuu Jusayu)

SOUND RECORDIST
Juan Pablo Núñez

CAMERA ASSISTANT
Jesús Acosta

PRODUCTION ASSISTANT
Yelver Florez
Marbel Vanegas

ON SET COVID-19 COORDINATOR
Marbel Vanegas

PHOTOGRAPHER
Ernesto Acosta Cepeda

COMPOSER
Juan Pablo Núñez

SOUNDS
Awa'awajawa (Hand Whistle)
Kasha (Wayuu Percussion)
Quena, Cuerdas

SPECIAL THANKS
Jonathan Luna
Luisa Fernanda Luna
Jorge Cadena
Emmanuel Chávez
Héctor Silva Núñez
Yanilú Ojeda
Anggie Hernández Palmar
Leiqui Uriana
Felipe Contreras
Juanes Diaz Puerta
The Hernández Palmar Family
The Florez Camargo Family

For Series Credits please see the Season One Press Kit

Download the pdf press kit and trailer.