Lands of Women
(eVideo)

English

Originally released by ARTE France, 2023.

Streaming video file encoded with permission for digital streaming by Infobase on September 22, 2023.

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In Mexico, there is still a community where Zapotec women rule the economy. How does this land of women thrive in one of the world's most macho countries? When Sergeï Eisenstein, the master of Soviet cinema, filmed in Mexico in the 1930s, he was fascinated by this atypical community of women. These women, heirs to a 2,500-year old civilization are the Zapotecs. He describes them as strong traders who collect gold and choose their own husbands: a matriarchy. A century later, what is left of this land of women, in a country that has now become one of the world's most misogynistic countries? Following in Eisenstein's footsteps takes us to the south of the country, a land of trade between north and south, the Pacific and the Atlantic Ocean, to Juchitán de Zaragoza. Trade has always been a women's business here, and the 600 annual festivals are a way of keeping the economy going while also celebrating women.

9 - 12, Academic/AP

Streaming video file.

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Closed-captioned.