On Saturday, a group of us GuateMamas met at the Landmark Theater in Berkeley to watch Ixcanul, the prize-winning film by Guatemalan director Jayro Bustamonte, the first movie in the Kaqchikel language.

First, it was amazing to hear film dialogue spoken in Kaqchikel. Second, to see the landscape of Guatemala on the big screen–especially the magnificent volcano Pacaya, where much of the footage was shot, which we recognized and have climbed–was thrilling.

The plot centers around teenager Maria, who loves a boy who works with her at the local coffee plantation, but the boy has plans to leave for the US. Maria’s parents have plans too: to marry off Maria to the relatively prosperous plantation foreman. Spoiler alert: A baby is involved, and an adoption.