It's easy to get in touch with us!
Contact information is provided below
For general information about distribution, screenings or lectures, contact:
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Carolyn Kallenborn
Creator and Producer Assistant
Professor Design Studies University of Wisconsin - Madison
475 North Charter St
Madison WI 53706 608-233-1432
cmkallen@vidasentretejidas.com
www.carolynkallenborn.com
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For More Information on Oaxaca:
Museo Textil de Oaxaca
Hidalgo 917 Oaxaca, M�xico
Phone: (951) 501 11 04
Hours: 10:00am-8:00pm
Closed Tuesdays
www.museotextildeoaxaca.org.mx
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Woven Lives explores the rich traditions of Zapotec weavers living in the villages surrounding Oaxaca, Mexico. The project traces how ancient techniques of cloth-making have been carried through generations, allowing communities to retain a strong sense of culture and identity. By following threads from hand-spun yarns to finished textiles, the documentary illustrates the deep connection between daily life, landscape, and craft. Viewers are invited into a world where weaving is not merely an art form but a living language passed down across thousands of years, continually shaped by the people who practice it every day in their homes and workshops.
Through thoughtful cinematography, the film captures both the sights and sounds of Oaxacan textile villages, celebrating the extraordinary beauty found in colorful patterns and the rhythmic motion of the loom. Footage of backstrap weaving, the preparation of natural dyes, and the careful spinning of yarns offers a vivid portrait of artisans at work. The camera lingers on faces and gestures, allowing the viewer to sense the patience and skill embedded in each piece of cloth. This attention to detail reveals how contemporary textiles carry echoes of ancient knowledge while adapting to modern materials and markets, keeping traditions alive in changing times.
A central focus of the project is the integration of traditional techniques with new technologies, suggesting a hopeful future for Oaxacan weaving. By documenting how artisans blend age-old practices with innovative approaches, the documentary highlights the resilience and creativity of Zapotec communities. The film also explores broader questions about how indigenous arts can thrive in a globalized world, where handmade goods sit alongside mass-produced alternatives. Through interviews and observation, Woven Lives honors the voices of weavers who actively shape the story of their craft, demonstrating that cultural heritage is not static but an evolving dialogue between past, present, and future generations.
Beyond the loom itself, Woven Lives portrays the vibrant cultural landscape surrounding weaving traditions in Oaxaca. Festivals, family gatherings, and the rhythms of village life provide a backdrop that enriches the narrative, showing how cloth is woven into community identity. The documentary pays attention to the sounds of regional music, the colors of local markets, and the landscape of valleys and mountains that inspire their craft. In doing so, the film presents weaving as part of a larger tapestry, one in which people, place, and tradition are inseparable. This holistic approach allows audiences to appreciate the richness of Oaxacan life and the enduring significance of handmade cloth.
The project extends beyond the screen through scheduled screenings, lectures, and discussions that bring the story to audiences around the world. Educational materials and supplementary resources accompany the documentary, supporting deeper engagement with themes of cultural preservation, artisan economies, and indigenous knowledge systems. By fostering dialogue between viewers and the communities depicted, Woven Lives encourages broader appreciation for the value of traditional crafts. Whether viewed in a classroom, cultural institution, or community gathering, the film invites reflection on how storytelling can help sustain the practices, people, and places that inspire it, ensuring that these woven lives continue to be seen, understood, and celebrated.
