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Every year, the indigenous Wixáritari people of west central Mexico embark on pilgrimages to visit sacred locations in the mountain ranges in Jalisco, the Wirikuta Desert, and the Aramara Sea. Hitching a ride with the Wixárika from San Jose and Tesorero, this doc is a rare glimpse into the customs, travel, and sacrifice that underpin their ancient culture. Using the camera as a tool to preserve their traditions, Flowers in the Desert is a visual inheritance for future generations. Footage from the sacred deer hunt, the corn harvest, and the peyote ceremony sheds light on the importance of bloodletting, self-awareness, and confession in maintaining balance in the universe. The film spans two years of daily life, and reveals the role of dreams, prayer, and polygamy. Honesty is the heart of the Wixáritari belief system, and they learn to use the camera much like they use peyote—to force the truth out.

Co-presented with ImagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival.