Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - In a nation celebrated for its gripping telenovelas, the winds of change are bringing a fresh perspective through the lens of documentary filmmaking. "Vallarta: la bahía de nuevo Chiapas," a new documentary directed and produced by Antoniu V. Moldovan, seeks to illuminate the often-unseen narratives shaping the tourist hub of Puerto Vallarta. The film delves into the stories of migration, socio-environmental challenges, and marginalization.
The documentary weaves its narrative through the lives of its main characters: Damián, a local baker; Antonia, an immigrant from the southern state of Chiapas; and Justino, a fisherman who doubles as a community activist. Through their eyes, the film conducts a poignant exploration of the relationship between humans and their environment, especially in areas transformed by tourism.
Moldovan's 55-minute cinematic work asks probing questions about the cost of economic gains from tourism. "We benefit economically from tourism, but at what expense?" queries the film's promotional material. This critical inquiry underscores the central theme of the documentary, challenging viewers to consider the permanent sacrifices made in the face of progress, such as the construction of hotels, shopping centers, and theme parks.
The inception of "Vallarta: la bahía de nuevo Chiapas" originated from the scholarly endeavors of Adriana Inés Olivares González at the Institute of Research and City Studies (IN-Ciudades) from the University Center for Art, Architecture, and Design (CUAAD). Her academic work, focusing on the transformation of coastal cities influenced by tourism, provided the documentary's foundational research. This project received substantial support, both academic and financial, from the National Council of Humanities, Sciences, and Technologies (Conahcyt).
Noteworthy contributions also came from esteemed organizations such as the Charles Darwin Foundation, the Boris Goldenblank Documentary Film Chair, and the Jean-Michel Cousteau Ocean Futures Society. The film features insights from Arturo Izurieta, Director of the Charles Darwin Foundation, and Rubén D. Arvizu, the Latin American representative of the Ocean Futures Society led by Jean-Michel Cousteau.
Moldovan, who holds a degree in Audiovisual Arts from CUAAD, highlighted the blend of research and creative processes that gave birth to the documentary. Additionally, the project saw the participation of students from the Audiovisual Arts program at CUAAD and a Journalism graduate from the La Ciénega University Center, embodying a collaborative effort that melds academic rigor with cinematic storytelling.
As "Vallarta: la bahía de nuevo Chiapas" gears up for screenings, it seeks to carve out spaces for non-fiction storytelling in a genre dominated by fiction, thereby providing a platform for critical awareness and discussion around the themes it explores. The documentary not only spotlights the complexities of a tourist destination but also ignites conversations about the socio-environmental footprint of such locales.
This film is poised to offer audiences both within and outside of Mexico an alternative narrative to the one traditionally portrayed, casting a spotlight on the intersection of human activity and environmental stewardship in Puerto Vallarta.
