The film is valuable for visual ethnography, as it is a contribution important to revalue and spread a sample of our cultural heritage immaterial, contributing to the dissemination and awareness of the safeguarding of Andean medical systems of Cusco.
This is an important film. I appreciate the way different aspects of the Andean traditions were woven through Mama Irene’s healing ways and daily life. It would be an eye-opener for most viewers. For all she’s been through, her warmth came through.
The Consulate General of Peru in New York commends the work of the production team from New York who gave us the documentary Mama Irene: Healer of the Andes. This heartfelt film draws attention to the value of traditional knowledge in the Andes of Peru, and allows the world to appreciate the age-old links between Peruvian culture and natural ecosystems. Focusing on the moving story and wisdom of strong Peruvian Quechua woman Mama Irene, the film also showcases breathtaking mountain landscapes and the unique characteristics and colors of Andean Peruvian culture.
It's a profoundly sensitive and courageous work. The steadiness of it’s compassionate, honest observation is an example of real human transcendence is as tangible a use of the film medium as I've ever seen.
I watched your documentary in its entirety twice, feeling gratefully transformed as a witness to such emotionally evocative raw imagery of both place and person. You've been able to masterfully illumine the ancestral ethos meaningfully in-forming both sacred and secular dimensions of traditional Andean runa experience, which you convincingly accomplished by focusing the visionary intention behind your documentary on the urgency of safeguarding the spoken medicinal wisdom and ceremonial healing artistry associated with this revered elder woman hampiq from Chincheros…which is no small task. Again, my heartfelt congratulations dear one.
Mama Irene - Healer of the Andes is a film that portrays the life of a Peruvian Andean woman connected to Mother Nature. A person of great faith who embraces the catholic religion, introduced to Peru from Occident, without leaving aside her indigenous roots and her ancestral knowledge, which she preserves and cultivates very well. Mama Irene is an example of service, as she shares her knowledge and experiences with the women of her community, seeking to empower them in their role at home and within the community. This production manages to explore in a comprehensive way the Andean cosmovision and the role of women in Peruvian indigenous society.
Mamá Irene is a beautifully photographed documentary that brings the viewer into the stunning Valle Sagrado near Cusco in Peru to share some of the life experiences of a strong, wise, and talented Quechua woman. Through the film, Mamá Irene informs us of aspects of her vast ancestral knowledge and also of her many life struggles. One cannot help but empathize with the determination, loyalty, and selflessness necessary for Mamá Irene to remain true to herself, her calling, and her traditions. I highly recommend this film for any Spanish course, as well as courses in Latin American Studies, Social Anthropology, Women's Studies, or Alternative Medicine. This gorgeous documentary allows us to participate in the difficult and courageous journey of a true Quechua healer. It brings us high into the Andes Mountains to serve as a window into the world of Mamá Irene.
Mama Irene is a passion play of the everyday hardscrabble yet transcendent lives of Andean people today: high altitude but down to earth. Eight decades on, Mama Irene has seen hard times aplenty yet is rooted in Pachamama and prays to the Apus to help her people. It is a film for our time as a lesson to be present in a world both natural and spiritual. To cherish and preserve the past while working for good in the present.
I just finished watching Mama Irene, Healer of the Andes in my car, under the velvet light of Mama Quilla. I am almost speechless…moved to deep respect, laughter, but also many tears. I resonate with much of Mama Irene's path, I truly felt no separation between us…because there isn't….we are each other. From lighting strikes, to childhood trauma, to releasing through tears, to turning to Pachamama for our guides, for her love, for her wisdom….this is a portrait of poignancy, of wisdom, of deep hurt, of deep healing, of a woman who walks with us. Mama Irene, of heart, of powerful gifts…Please everyone take the time to watch this precious film.
I cannot say enough of how this film affected me, on a deep level, on an ancestral level and on a level of who I am and why I am here…walking the most sacred path.
Thank you to everyone involved with making this film. I love you all, you are family, we are one another. When I am no longer here it is no longer mine (Mama Irene). Wow, just wow.
Humility walks with us.
We would like to announce you that our Jury has decided to award the Prize for the Special Topic Women- Environment - Activism to Mama Irene, Healer of the Andes For its beautiful portrait of a healer in Peru, focusing on the deep connection between Mama Irene and nature, the film Mama Irene has equally moved the jury. The jury appreciated the strength of Mama Irene, a woman who took her destiny in her own hands to save herself and who uses her healing talent to help other women. We believe that women like Mama Irene make the difference in saving our planet by healing us humans from the inside and bringing us back the connection to nature. We were also very impressed by the beauty of the images, in particular of the breathtaking landscapes.
Moi qui suis normalement sceptique sur ces thématiques, le film m’a pris et m’a fait voyagé -
J'ai été captivé par ce parcours de femme.
C'est un beau film d’amour avant tout. Qui délivre un message d’optimisme pour nos sociétés.
How wonderful, I loved your film so much…and learned a lot, truly moved me deeply to witness a healer like Mama Irene.
It is visually stunning, breathtaking…a true trip to the heart of the Peruvian Andes…thank you for all your blood, sweat and tears to make this happen.
A título personal felicitaros por tan excelente trabajo, visioné la película, como todas las que seleccioné, antes de su exhibición en el Certamen de Cine Iberoamericano Hecho por Mujeres : Perú, es un documento visual importantísimo y creado con mucha belleza y con una fotografía excelente. Enhorabuena.
I watched it numerous times and the film in of itself is medicine. Medicine for women and men who desire to have their strength restored in Pachamama as living breathing being. It takes great courage to practice healing such as this when modern culture cannot even see at this time that which is being revived has its roots in ancient practices such as these. Energy is energy and Mama Irene and all those who follow her and lead as who they are requires immense strength, courage, kindness and gentleness
Mama Irene’s devotion and her pure purpose in healing opened something very healing in me,
I went to Ausagante a number of years ago and I felt reassured by the laughter Mama Irene shared with the women who live locally there. That sense of warm and joyful company between women really emanated from the scene.
The way that Mama Irene walked with forward conviction along the trail inspired that one can be in their feminine power even when all odds appear against you. The Earth / Pachamama lays a path for you to step onto and it requires a recommitment to the path over a lifetime. Mama Irene reinforced this within me.
I am moved by how consciously she prepares her despacho from gathering plants to organizing the coca leaves to voicing her prayers
I have deep gratitude for Mama Irene's willingness to share this sacred medicine for the larger healing of the heart of humanity. Her example of how to live in alignment with higher guidance , always fulfilling her purpose, is a sacred instruction. I will continue learning from her example about how to live in sweet, open and loving communication with Pachamama and our Apus. The film is a beautiful, sensitive and powerful work of art. It captures who Mama Irene is in her essence and communicates what her message is by showing the quality of sacred Presence in everything she does. What she shares fills a longing for what is needed to reweave a sacred cloth and restore balance to our individual hearts and our Planet. Thank you to Elisabeth for her wisdom in knowing it was important to make the film. Thank you Puma and Alfredo for walking beside Mama Irene and always supporting her. Thank you to everyone who worked diligently and skillfully to make this film such a beautiful communication about the importance and power in honoring and supporting the ones who carry the sacred traditions and the ancient healing path.
Excellent production, beautiful work full of real teachings so truthful and connected with life expression. A treat for our souls.
I watched the film yesterday. So powerful, well-done, thought-provoking, and inspiring. I feel like I want to watch it again to take notes on some of the things she says.
I loved the film!!! Thank you so much! I watched it three times and it is simply a treasure! More than a film, it is an initiation, a transformative journey and a big lesson about love, community and caring for each other. Thank you from all of my heart!
A little over a week ago we watched the Mama Irene film. What a moving and important story. What an amazing woman! Showing Mama Irene’s healing methods without filter, telling her story, see her walk around in the mountains, seeing how the beautiful masculine in Puma, Alfredo holds her space, respect and care for her…… It is a brave and powerful film. Thank you Elisabeth!
The originator of the Pachakuti Mesa tradition of cross-cultural shamanism, Fellow in Ethnopsychology with the Organization of American State, invited Observer to the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous issues.
