Through dreams, the gods revealed to José his vocation to be a musician as well as the responsibility of playing in the sacred festivities of Zinacantán, a Tzotzil Mayan territory in the Highlands of Chiapas. These ceremonies play a central role in preserving collective harmony, and the select few who hold the position of traditional musician are appointed for life. Taking on this responsibility comes to have harsh consequences in José's life and the temptation to quit is getting stronger... but José fears a punishment from the gods if he resigns prematurely. How far do the consequences of dreams go? Vaychiletik explores this fierce yet beautiful reality, forged from the dreams of the Mayan people of Mexico.

"This film is a fragment of my father's life. Through his dreams, he was given a gift that couldn't be refused. My mother has given refuge to her dreams and nightmares, and with this film I wish to honour them both. Through this film, this history will remain forever in our memory, and this cultural construction can be shared, this way of life guided by a world both fierce and beautiful." - Juan Javier Pérez

Dir. Juan Javier Pérez - 83min - 2021 - Mexico

"beautifully-shot Mexican folk music study in the high arthouse style" - Guardian

"a quietly poignant portrait of a community whose existence is a form of resistance" - Pages and Pictures

"Nightly concerts bring together villagers from Chiapas around a shared reverie. “Vaychiletik” paints the portrait of the only flute player within the community and questions the transmission of ancestral knowledge which weighs on the musician's family, of which the director is a member." - **WINNER** - Living Heritage Prize, Jean Rouch Int. Film Fest. Paris.

**WINNER** - Jury Award for Best Mexican Documentary Feature Film, DOQUMENTA Int. Non-Fiction Film and Narrative Fest. Mexico.

**WINNER** - Special Jury Award, Mexican Documentary Feature Film, Morelia Int. Film Fest. Mexico.