The Aconcagua queen
The tradition of the “Chino” dances of the valley of Aconcagua, in the central zone of Chile, has its origins in the indigenous populations who were inhabiting the zone before the arrival of the Spanish.
Peasants and fishermen throughout central Chile celebrate their ritual calendar performing “chino” celebrations, receiving dances from different villages. Many dances attend to the Carmen de Petorquita celebration, among them is the Pucalán dance.
The force of the ritual and the power of the sound and dance interlace to the experiences of the Chinos, his motivations, his problems. The friendship of years of the producers with the Chinos does that this documentary brings over to a very intimate part of these men. Chino is a Quechua word that means servant.
Spanish with english subtitles.
Directors: Claudio Mercado and Gerardo Silva
Camera: Gerardo Silva, Daniel Evans, Claudio Mercado
Production: Chimuchina Records
Financing: FONDART, Matta Fund of the Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino, Guggenheim Foundation.