The Chiapas Media Project provides video equipment, computers and training for marginalized indigenous communities in Southern Mexico. The resulting video tapes offer a unique, firsthand perspective on the lives and struggles of indigenous communities in Chiapas and Guerrero.

The Other Campaign: Indigenous Voices of the North (part 1) ***NEW RELEASE***
(Spanish and Pima with English Subtitles, 2007)
Toxic Waste 17:10 min
Tiburon Island 20:15 min
Yaqui Assembly 20:09 min
From the Sierra of the Pima 11:23 min
Last year the Other Campaign, the Zapatista initiative launched in an effort to evolve new governance structures in Mexico spoke with many indigenous communities in Northern Mexico. Many of these communities exist in extreme isolation, poverty and violence. These communities are in a constant struggle against government projects that include toxic waste dumps, tourist development, land takeovers and military occupations. This DVD contains four videos that are testimonies from four indigenous groups in Sinora state who met with members of the Other Campaign: the Papago, Seri, Yaqui and Pima. All speak about their current situations and how they are organizing in a literal fight for their survival and a future for their children.

A Very Big Train Called The Other Campaign ***NEW RELEASE***
(Spanish with English Subtitles, 39 minutes, 2006)
In January 2006, Subcomandante Marcos began his tour of the Mexico, known as La Otra (The Other Campaign), the Zapatista initiative launched in an effort to evolve new forms of governance in Mexico and beyond. A Very Big Train called the Other Campaign, follows preparatory meetings between indigenous communities and Mexican civil society before launching La Otra. This production was made by indigenous video makers of four of the five Zapatista Caracoles in Chiapas, Mexico.

Water, Our Life, Our Hope! ***NEW RELEASE***
(Spanish with English Subtitles, 68 minutes, 2006)
All human beings need water to live. Access to water is a human right. More than 75% of our bodies is water and the majority of the planet is covered in water. Now, ambition has lead transnational corporations – with the help of national governments – to look for the mechanisms to appropriate this vital liquid, which poses to become the principal source of wars in the 21st century. 'The privatization of water, its springs, its distribution and its commercialization is taking place throughout the world under programs led by the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, other banks and Free Trade Agreements. But with this there is also a privatization of hydroelectric dams that generate electricity. More than 60% of the world’s rivers have been dammed and there is push to dam more. The refreshment industry, the water bottling industry, electric energy industry and other sectors are going for it all. Nevertheless the TNC’s have encountered something stronger: a conscience society, its resistance, a struggle against the appropriation of water in few hands and above all, the search for alternatives to achieve the recognition of water as a human right. So that water will reach everyone.

You’re saying that we can’t pass? ***NEW RELEASE***
(Spanish and Tzeltal with English Subtitles, 13min, 2007)
In the northern zone of Chiapas the Zapatistas manifested their support for the teacher’s struggles in Oaxaca and the political prisoners in San Salvador Atenco. In Novemer 2006 during a peaceful mobilization, the Zapatistas blocked the road at the crossing points of Axhupa and Playas de Catazaja. These roadblocks are an example of Zapatista solidarity with other struggles that are attacked by the corrupt government.
In this video, Zapatista cameramen are asking those who are caught in the roadblock, for their perspectives of this peaceful mobilization.
Letters for Our Words ***NEW RELEASE***
(Spanish and Tzeltal subtitles English, 13min, 2006)
The right to education was one of the basic demands of the Zapatistas since the uprising in 1994. These communities have created thru collective work an autonomous educational project that is independent from the governments educational programs and responds directly to the communities needs.
One of the results of this educational project has been the production of a textbook in indigenous languages. This textbook covers themes such as collective organizing, and respect for the environment. This textbook was produced within the context of continued repression by the Federal government and is a testiment to the communities continued strength and committment in deciding their own future.

Compilation Video

Radio Ñonmdaa: The Word of Water
(Amuzgo and Spanish with English Subtitles, 15 minutes, 2005)
On December 20, 2004 the Radio Ñonmdaa, The Word of the Water, came on air, becoming the first radio station to broadcast in the indigenous Amuzgo language. Under the direction of the traditional authorities of Xochistlahuaca, Guerrero, Radio Nonmdaa serves to communicate and disseminate the needs of this autonomous municipality.

This radio station covers nearly the entire territory of Amuzgo people and can be heard in different Afro-Mexican, Mixteco, and mestizo communities in the Costa Chica regions of Guerrero and Oaxaca. Since opening, the station has received constant harassment from the Mexican Military who have threatened to shut down the station. Radio Nonmdaa serves to strengthen the autonomy, identity and culture of the indigenous peoples of the region.

The Land Belongs to Those who Work it
(Spanish with English Subtitles, 15 minutes, 2005) The video discusses the situation in the town of Bolon Aja'aw, located in the north of the state near the famous Agua Azul river system. The federal government sold the land in Bolon aja'aw to a private company to create an eco-tourism center without the permission of the community members. The video documents a meeting between Zapatista authorities and Mexican Government functionaries, and offers a critical look at the practical implications of so-called eco-tourism.

We are Equal: Zapatista Women Speak
(Spanish and Tzeltal with English subtitles, 18 minutes, 2004) Zapatista women speak about what their lives were like before the uprising in 1994 and how their lives have changed since. A very upfront and critical look at gender relations within the Zapatista communities - how far women have come and how far they still need to go.

Eyes on What's Inside: The Militarization of Guerrero ***NEW RELEASE***
(Tlapaneco and Spanish with English subtitles, 35 minutes, 2004) Inez and Valentina, two indigenous women from the montaña region of Guerrero were raped by Mexican soldiers. Eyes on What's Inside looks at the economic, social and political factors that lead to these rapes. The Organization of Indigenous People Me phaa (OIPM) share their story but it is really the story of many indigenous communities in Guerrero. Discussed are the destabilizing effects of the military presence on indigenous communities, and how the increasing poverty/marginalization of the population has contributed to the formation of armed guerilla groups and the presence of narcotrafficking. The Mexican Constitution lays out the internal role of the military and Guerrero presents a clear example of how the military acts outside of it's constitutional mandate.

Caracoles: New Paths of Resistance
(Spanish with English subtitles, 42 minutes, 2003) Produced in August 2003 in the communities of Oventik and Morelia by 18 Zapatista video makers, Caracoles is a celebration of the death of the Aguascalientes and the birth of the Caracoles and the Good Government Assemblies. Various members of the Zapatista leadership discuss how these changes will affect internal political and economic processes, gender relations, and their relationship to international civil society. The video is an open call to join with the Zapatista communities in their struggle for recognition of their autonomy and in their fight against neo-liberal economic policies and globalization.

Water and Autonomy
(Spanish and Tzeltal with English subtitles, 14:12 minutes, 2003) Many of the indigenous communities in Chiapas have no access to potable water. Water and Autonomy looks at this serious problem and how the Zapatista communities are solving it. Through solidarity and training from internationals many communities are now building their own water systems. Members of the communities speak about ways the water project fits into their autonomous process, helps fight sickness, has provided a means of reflection for how to protect existing water sources and represents another means of resistance to globalization projects like the Plan Puebla Panama.

WTO: A Threat to Humanity
(Spanish with English subtitles, 54:00, 2003, co-produced with CIEPAC) WTO: A Threat to Humanity is an in-depth look at the history and current policies of the World Trade Organization. A Threat to Humanity (an indigenous/non-indigenous co-production) was originally made for indigenous and campesino communities in Mexico and Central America who wanted an explanation of WTO and how itÕs policies are affecting their communities. Among the issues discussed are NAFTAÕs impact on corn production in Mexico, the effects of genetically modified seeds on world agricultural systems, agricultural subsidies in developed countries and itÕs negative impact on food production in developing countries, intellectual property and patents on indigenous plants and knowledge, privatization of natural resources and south to south competition for cheap labor.

We Speak Against Injustice
(Tzeltal and Spanish with English sub-titles, 34:00, 2003) We Speak Against Injustice follows the Zapatista caravan in March of 2002 that visited 11 cities on the way to Mexico City where the EZLN along with other indigenous groups presented the San Andres Accords to the Mexican Congress. We see what has happened since the Mexican Congress changed the San Andres Accords against the will of indigenous people throughout Mexico and ratified them into the constitution. The second half of the video documents the upsurge in paramilitary violence in Chiapas that began in August 2002. This violence is seen in the context of globalization and pressure that the state and federal government is putting on the Zapatista communities to leave their land so that their natural resources can be exploited.

Xulum'Chon: Weavers in Resistance from the Highlands
(Tzotzil with Spanish sub-titles, 15:30, 2003) XulumÕChon is an indigenous Tzoltzil womenÕs collective in the Highlands of Chiapas. Through their work as weavers, they struggle to receive a just price for their work so they can provide their children a dignified life, education for their children and support to continue in their resistance. This video was made to promote their work and demonstrates their effort to find commercial outlets for their products. The women speak about their work as weavers, and other collectives they are involved in such as gardens, bakeries, and farm animals and how this work helps to build and support the autonomous process of their communities.

Reclaiming Justice: Guerrero's Indigenous Community Police
"Reclaiming Justice" is the story of 42 Mixteco and Tlapaneco communities in the Costa-Monta–a region of Guerrero who, faced with injustice and corruption of local authorities, established the Indigenous Community Police (ICP) in 1995.ÊÊBased on the traditional Indigenous justice system, the ICP is a volunteer organization elected by regional assembly. With the ICP, crime dropped substantially, organized crime has nearly disappeared, and police corruption is nonexistent.ÊÊInstead of supporting the ICP, state and local governments attacked them publicly and claimed that they function outside the law. "Reclaiming Justice" gives voice to members of the ICP, demonstrates their success in creating community security, and shows how the ICP restored dignity and pride to Indigenous communities despite opposition by corrupt authorities.
(Spanish with English subtitles, 25:00, 2002)

Song of the Earth: Traditional Music from the Highlands of Chiapas
Tzotzil elders explain the significance of traditional music and the role of musicians in their communities.Various celebrations, songs and dances are presented including the festival of San Andres, the most important celebration of the year. Elders talk about the influence of western music and dress on youth and express their hopes that indigenous youth will maintain their traditions and culture.Song of the Earth demonstrates the strength of communities in resistance as they struggle to preserve their cultural heritage amidst the low intensity war and the allure of pop culture
(Tzotzil with English subtitles, 2002, 16:42)

Walking Towards the Dawn: The memory, resistance and hope of the communities displaced by war in Chiapas
Walking Towards the Dawn was produced for the Human Rights Center Fray Bartolome de las Casas based in San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas. Walking Towards the Dawn presents the Center’s work with indigenous communities displaced by paramilitary violence in the state. There are interviews with Bishop Samuel Ruiz and staff who discuss their programs that have provided important psychological counselling to these communities to help them to deal with the devastating effects of paramilitary violence and displacement. The video documents workshops that were conducted with the survivors of the Acteal massacre, who are members of the non-violent group “Las Abejas” located in the Highlands. Also included are interviews with community members from the north of Chiapas who speak about the paramilitary violence in their regions.
(Tzotzil and Spanish w/English subtitles, 2001, 46:00)

Zapata’s Garden
Shot and produced by indigenous men and women video makers in the Autonomous Municipaltiy of Emiliano Zapata this video looks at the new society that the Zapatista’s are building. Zapata’s Garden shows how this new municipality is fighting the effects of globalization and government corruption through their work in their collective garden. Community members talk about the importance of collective work in building this new society. “We don’t want things to be as they were before. Now we have land to work, and with it we will feed ourselves and our children”.
(Tzeltal and Spanish w/English sub-titles, 2002, 19:13)

The Silence of the Zapatistas
On December 2, 2000 the day after the change of government in Mexico the Zapatista Army of National Liberation (EZLN) declared an end to it's silence and announced it's decision to travel to Mexico City to speak in front of the Mexican Congress in support of the San Andres Accords. This silence was the result of the Mexican Government's refusal to ratify the San Andres Accords and the extensive military build-up in the Zapatista communities that began in 1995. The Silence of the Zapatistas documents the many non-violent protests organized by the Zapatista communities during this silence against the military presence in the Autonomous Municipality of San Pedro Michoacan.
(Spanish w/English sub-titles, 2001, 12:25)

The Strength of the Indigenous People of Mut Vitz
Producing Fair Trade Organic Coffee in the Highlands of Chiapas Begun in 1996, the Mut Vitz organic coffee cooperative currently has more than 1000 members. The video was shot and edited by videomakers who are also members of the collective. Over a year in the making, Mut Vitz shows us the entire organic coffee production process: from seedling to transplant, cultivation to the roasted bean. Members of the collective talk about the challenges that the collective faces in processing their coffee for market and Mut Vitz's achievements using a fair trade model of distribution.
(2000, 27:05 min., Tzotzil and Spanish w/ English subtitles)

Defending the Forests
The Struggle of the Campesino Environmentalists of Guerrero The deforestation of Guerrero's Petatlán and Coyuca de Catalán mountain ranges dates back to the 1950's. In the 1970's, under then-governor Ruben Figueroa Figueroa logging increased, accompanied by militarization and repression of Guerrero's rural communities. In 1994, with the signing of NAFTA, the transnational Boise Cascade Corporation began what resulted in the exploitation of thousands of kilometers of virgin forests, leaving in its wake deserts.
Defending the Forests is the story of the Organization of the Campesino Environmentalists (OCE) created in 1998, and their success in halting Boise Cascade's exploitation of their forests. The video describes, through the members of the O.C.E., the Mexican government's campaign to destroy the O.C.E. with the arrest and torture by the Mexican Military of O.C.E. co-founders Rodolfo Montiel and Teodoro Cabrera. Both were recently sentenced to prison terms of seven and 10 years on false charges of weapons and drug trafficking for their courageous activism in defense of the forests.
(2000, 18:10 min., Spanish w/ English Subtitles)

The Sacred Land
For more then 500 years indigenous people in Chiapas have been struggling to regain ownership of their lands. Until the Zapatista uprising in 1994, most indigenous people in Chiapas existed by working on large plantations for rich landowners. The Sacred Land describes what life was like on these plantations. It includes stories that go back four generations about slavery-like conditions in which people worked for the rancheros. Produced in the autonomous municipality of "November 17th" and edited by indigenous video makers, The Sacred Land helps provide a context for the events of 1994 through unique insight into the past. Community members reflect on how life has changed since 1994 and express their hopes and dreams for their collective future.
(2000, 18:36 min., Tzeltal and Spanish with English sub-titles)

Education in Resistance
The Mexican Constitution states that every citizen has a right to a free education. For many Mexicans, especially those of indigenous heritage, this right has never been realized. Education in Resistance looks at the education system that the Mexican government has been providing to indigenous people in Chiapas and why they decided to create an autonomous educational system. Elders describe their experiences in government schools, where they had to pay to attend and often experienced physical and psychological abuse. Education promoters in the autonomous system speak about their desire to teach in their communities, the importance of teaching bi-lingual classes, how military presence affects daily life and parents express their hopes for their new educational system.
(2000, 21:03 min., Tzeltal and Spanish w/ English sub-titles)

Women United (Mujeres Unidas)
Women United (Mujeres Unidas) spotlights indigenous women's collective work in the autonomous municipality of 17 de Noviembre (November 17), Chiapas, Mexico. Collectives have become a keystone for many Chiapaneco women involved in the movement for social and economic justice. Featuring a collective bakery, store and vegetable garden, viewers see vivid imagery of women's work interspersed with interviews about how collectives have changed and strengthened the fabric of community life.
(1999, 16 mins., Tzetzal with English subtitles)

The Healer in the Indigenous of Communities of the Highlands of Chiapas (El Curandero de las Communidades Indigenas de Los Altos de Chiapas)
When Jacinto gets sick, his relatives call upon a local healer to cure him. An intimate look at traditional Mayan healing practices, El Curandero reveals indigenous values of addressing the physical, spiritual, and psychological aspects of sickness and healing often in stark contrast to Western medicinal techniques. El Curandero is the first fiction-drama produced by Chiapaneco indigenous communities. The actors are from the smallhighlands community of Magdalena.
(1999, 34 mins., Tzotzil with English subtitles)

TOUR '99
Tour `99 is a compilation of three programs which make up a useful introduction to the Chiapas Media Project;
The Sugar Cane Collective (El Collectivo de la Caña de Azucar); New Year 1999, Ejido Morelia (Año Nuevo 1999, Ejido Morelia)
Tour '99: The video begins with a short description of the Chiapas Media Project including interviews with students involved in our workshops on computers and human rights promoters, and a workshop dedicated to training indigenous women. They discuss how and why this technology is important for their communities.
The Sugar Cane Collective illustrates a central activity of the municipality of El Trabajo, where men, women and children combine efforts to produce sugar with hand-made tools, hard work and joy. This amazing video was produced and edited "in camera" (after only having had a four day video workshop), and demonstrates the talent and creativity of the indigenous videomakers.
New Years Eve 1999, Ejido Morelia documents New Years eve festivities, the most important celebration of the year, held in the context of government oppression. This video was produced by two videomakers from the region of San Andrés.
These three works are compiled on one videotape.

Videos Produced by the Autonomous Municipalities of the Highlands of Chiapas: compilation of two videos Recovery of the Autonomous Presidency of San Andres Sacamch' en (Recuperacion de la Presidencia Autonomo de Andres Sacamch' en)
On April 6, 1999, interim Governor Albores of Chiapas ordered state police to dismantle the autonomous Zapatista council of the Municipality of San Andres Sacamch' en, which had governed since 1995. Army troops and Public Security forces occupied the city hall and installed a PRI mayor. The next day, over 3,000 indigenous campesiños marched on the town of San Andres, peacefully re-took the city hall and re-installed their elected officials. Mexican Army and Public Security forces fled town, chased out by unarmed civilians.This 11 minute video captures the power of organized civil society as thousands of indigenous civilians demonstrate grassroots democracy. To this day there is a 24-hour watch by community members guarding the town hall to prevent further aggressions by the Governor.
The National Consultation, March 21 in the Autonomous Municipality of San Juan de La Libertad (Consulta Nacional 21 de Marzo, Municipio Autonomo San Juan de la Libertad) On March 12, 1999, 5,000 Zapatistas left Chiapas to conduct a massive popular education campaign throughout Mexico on indigenous rights and the San Andrés Accords. The ensuing nine- day campaign led to the Consulta Nacional in which citizens were asked to vote on four basic questions regarding indigenous rights. Over three million people cast their ballots in favor of the Zapatista proposals. This video documents the voyage of the Zapatista representatives in the communities of the Municipality of San Juan de la Libertad.
These two works are compiled on one videotape.

Chiapas 1998: The Bad Harvest (La Mala Cosecha)
The Bad Harvest (La Mala Cosecha) is a collaboration between indigenous and non-indigenous videomakers which documents severe food shortages in 1998. A six-month drought followed by heavy rains and flooding destroyed 50% of the corn crops and 80% of the bean crops. This natural disaster, combined with the constant harassment by 60,000 troops and coupled with extreme poverty and marginalization, left the communities with few options.
(Spanish with English sub-titles, 1998, 14:30 minutes)

The Chiapas Media Project/The Indigenous Family (Proyecto de Medios de Comunicacion en Chiapas/La Familia Indigena)
The Chiapas Media Project documents the work of the Chiapas Media Project. The 11 minute video features interviews with community members about the effects of the militarization in Chiapas and the different ways that video technology will be used by the communities to record human rights abuses, cultural and religious events, cooperatives and women's work.
The Indigenous Family takes an intimate look at the role of men and women in the community of Ejido Morelia. Men and women discuss their individual and collective work. Shot and edited by community members only six weeks after their first exposure to video equipment, this six minute work contains unique shots inside the homes and work places of proud campesinos struggling for a better life.
These two works are compiled on one videotape.
(Spanish with English sub-titles, 1999, 31 minutes)

If you prefer to order by mail, or if your credit card address is not in the US or Canada, please send your order, along with a check or money order to:
Chiapas Media Project
4834 N. Springfield
Chicago, IL 60625