Cochochi

Evaristo and Luis Antonio –indigenous brothers from the Sierra Tarahumara in northwest Mexico– have just graduated from boarding elementary school. Evaristo desires to continue his education, leading a bicultural life, where the Tarahumara, or Raramuri as they call themselves, have the opportunity to keep learning to speak, read and write in Spanish, the Mexican official language. Meanwhile Luis Antonio “ Tony” is very happy to be done with school. Even though he is a smart kid and has won a grant to move on to high school, he prefers to live life in the ranch, where the kids grow up at a very young age. One morning the brothers are sent to deliver some medicine to a far away community. Tony asks their grandfather for permission to take his horse but the answer is no. Nevertheless, Tony decides to take it, even if Evaristo is not convinced.

They take a wrong path that leads them to a narrow and deep canyon. The horse cannot go on so the boys tie it around a tree. When they come back for it the horse is no longer there. Both, angry and worried, they walk in the forest looking for it; Tony thinks the horse was stolen while Evaristo is worried about the assignment. Arguing about this they suddenly loose each other. Now each on their own they continue the journey. The trip becomes longer than expected. But in the end it helps each brother to confront his dreams and limitations.

Spanish title: Cochochi
English Title: Cochochi
Original: Cochochi
Country of Origen: Mexico
Year of Completion: 2007
Duration: 105 minutes
Format: 35mm, Color
Language: Rarámuri (Tarahumara Language) / Spanish Subtitles
Directors: Laura Amelia Guzmán, Israel Cárdenas
Producers: Pablo Cruz & Donald K. Ranvaud
Executive Producers: Kyzza Terrazas, Robert Bevan, Amina Dasmal, Robin Fox, Parviz Yazdani, Gael Garcia Bernal, Diego Luna, Cyril Megret
Screenwriters: Laura Amelia Guzmán, Israel Cárdenas
Cinematographers: Laura Amelia Guzmán, Israel Cárdenas
Editors: Israel Cárdenas & Yibran Asuad
Sound Designer: Alejandro De Icaza
Cast: Luis Antonio Lerma Torres, Evaristo Corpus Lerma Torres, José Ignacio Torres Rodríguez, José Ángel Torres Rodríguez, Luis Alfredo Villalobos Nevares, Cristóbal Nevares

Director’s Biographies
Israel Cárdenas: After some film studies and work experience he begins Blueberry Films in 2001. A young company with the idea of making independent film productions. Since then he directed and photographed many projects, ranging from music videos and tv spots, to documentaries and short films. Cochochi (2007) is his first feature film.

Laura Amelia Guzmán: Graduated from Altos de Chavón / The School of Design in the Dominican Republic, where she studied fine arts and photography. She then attended the International Film and Television School in San Antonio de los Baños, Cuba, specializing in cinematography. In 2003 she directed the short film El Paciente de la Uno and in 2005 the documentary Las últimas horas de un cerdo. She worked as a cinematographer in many films. Cochochi (2007) is her first feature film.