Tiwanaku, Bolivia, 2024-26

In the heart of the Bolivian Andes, at 3,800 meters above sea level, lie the remnants of an enigmatic civilization: Tiwanaku. Long silenced by colonial history, this Andean culture is gradually revealing, through its monumental temples and oral traditions, a worldview that is deeply spiritual and ecological.

This documentary immerses us in the mysteries of Tiwanaku, a political, scientific, and ritual place that exerted influence far beyond the Altiplano. Through the voices of researchers, Andean sages, and archaeologists, we examine our models of civilization, power, and coexistence with the living world.

In times of climate crisis and social fractures, the teachings of the Tiahuanacotas resonate as a call to rethink our relationship with nature, the sacred, and others. Could the forgotten wisdom of the Andes hold the answers to the challenges of tomorrow?

Making off

We carried out the filming in collaboration with the association ACATI: El Camino de la Tierra, which coordinated the shoot in Tiwanaku and the surrounding areas. The filming lasted 8 days with a team of 3-4 people. A production that often took place under challenging conditions. At 3,800 meters above sea level, mornings and evenings were very cold, while the daytime sun was extremely strong. We had the opportunity to meet and interview about ten villagers and participate in various traditional rituals, including the celebration of the spring equinox in the temples.

Filming was then abruptly interrupted due to personal reasons that required me to return to France. The footage we captured was sufficient to produce a promotional video for ACATI and a short film about Tiwanaku. The scriptwriting and editing will be completed within a month in order to submit the documentary to the RAM Festival in Italy, a very short timeframe during which I will have to learn everything.

The special mention we received at the RAM Festival (Italy) recognised the team’s work and helped highlight this part of Bolivia’s culture. It was a true honor to contribute to building this bridge and to value a culture that profoundly transformed me during the past year on this land.

Videos clips 2023-2025 

This project was born from a deep desire to amplify the voices of indigenous peoples who wish to share a message with the world. The ways of life of indigenous communities have always profoundly inspired me. I wanted to put myself at their service to share their wisdom and contribute to valuing and preserving their cultures and traditions.

In a world searching for meaning, these words offer valuable insights for rethinking our relationship with the living world and with others. These short videos invite us to recognize the richness of indigenous peoples and to reconnect with our own cultural roots.

The communities that participated to the project:

• Maya Lacandon, Mexico

• Mapuche, Chili

• Qeros, Peru

• Aymara, Peru

• Huni Kuin, Brazil