“The filmmaker travels through the Costa Chica of Guerrero and the coast of Oaxaca to collect testimonies, songs, rhymes and dances of the musical culture of those places. A joyful experience. To sing, dance and laugh. And at some point, also to cry”. - Film Critic Ernesto Diezmartinez

Synopsis

Following different Afro-Mexican musicians from the Costa Chica region (located in the states of Guerrero and Oaxaca, Mexico) immerses us in the popular culture of the Coast. Its music reveals the story of a community that, despite having been historically invisibilized, pays tribute to its people, the sea, its land and all that binds it to the countryside. A documentary that portrays musicians in their purest state, enwrapped in their immediate environment, exalting musical traditions as a central principle in the construction of Mexico’s present identity and that points towards its preservation, which today deserves it more than ever.

Technical info

Original title: Los Hijos de la Costa

English title: Children of the Coast

Category: Documentary

Genre: Biographical, Musical

Length: 95 min

Format: HD | Color | Aspect ratio 1.85 | Sound 5.1

Original language: Spanish

Country: México

Release: 2024

Cast

Alejandra Robles Cantante Afromexicana, Chogo Prudente, “Cuiri” Cristino García, Domingo Ayona,  El Internacional Mar Azul El Rey de los 7 mares, Pepe Ramos, Raí Prudente.

Crew

Written, Directed and DoP Bruno Bancalari

Producer Paola Herrera, Ángel Céspedes Cantú, Bruno Bancalari, Juan Pablo López-Fonseca

Coproducers Alejandro de Icaza, Joakim Ziegler, Øyvind Stiauren, Alan Ortíz Grande

Line Producer Juan Pablo López Fonseca

Producer assistant Lola Newman

Sound Recording Carlos Rotz

Research & music production Ángel Céspedes

Edition Bruno Bancalari, Pedro González Rubio

Sound Design Alejandro de Icaza

Postproducer Joakim Ziegler

Company credits

Produced by Una Comunión

In coproduction with Ángel Céspedes Cantú, Elefante, BHD Estudios, Terminal and Grande Aguilar Estudio

Filmed thanks to the tax incentive of the article 189 of LISR (EFICINE-Producción) and Estafeta

With the support for development of Programa IBERMEDIA, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the visitors program of Berlinale Coproduction Market 2020, México Negro A.C., Hotel Suites Villasol, Club Bacocho, Hotel Olas Altas, Los Xiotes Zipolite, Hotel Casa Kalmar.

Festivals & Awards

José Rovirosa Award 2024 to the Best Mexican Documentary
Filmoteca UNAM (México).

Best Production in Contemporary Competition Award
39º Festival del Cinema Ibero-Latino Americano di Trieste, Italy

“Afrika-Largos” Award
19o Festival ARICA NATIVA (Chile)

39º Guadalajara International Film Festival FICG (Meexico) | Nominated Premio Mezcal

26º Shanghai International Film Festival SIFF (China) | Nominated Best Documentary The Belt and Road Film Week.

18º Mumbai International Film FesLval (India)

22º Vancouver Latin American Film Festival (Canadá)

24º Santa Cruz International Film Festival FENAVID (Bolivia) | Nominated best feature documentary