Film Independent’s Fiscal Sponsorship program opens the door to nonprofit funding for independent filmmakers and media artists. Donate today and help bring Companion of the Setting Sun to life.
 

Logline

Companion of the Setting Sun, is a short documentary that explores the transformation of Lake Xochimilco and survival of the Axolotl population. We are immersed into the daily lives of the Chinamperos, examining the difficulties of maintaining their wetland farms while preserving the last remaining wild Axolotls.

Synopsis

This film focuses on the important relationship between ancient Indigenous farming practices and the survival of an endemic species that both depend on the health of their ecosystem.

Our lead character, 84-year-old Doña Susana represents the last of her chinampera generation. The ancestral knowledge she was raised on is being lost. She finds sadness in this reality, reflecting on a time when the canals that make up Lake Xochimilco were abundant with flowers and wild Axolotls.

Despite the devastation she’s witnessed, she still has a glimmer of hope that this way of life, and the wild axolotl, can be saved. She continues to advocate on behalf of the chinampero way of life, sharing her maternal wisdom to younger generations in hopes of preserving what’s left of Lake Xochimilco.

BACKGROUND: LAKE XOCHIMILCO & THE CRITICALLY ENDANGERED AXOLOTL
Lake Xochimilco is the last remaining lake in Mexico Valley, housing 2% of the world’s biodiversity. The lake itself was designed by the first peoples of Mexico, namely the Xochimilcas, who turned 6,000 acres of wetlands into a highly productive farming system called the “chinampa” or floating gardens.

For centuries, the chinampas enabled Xochimilcas to grow crops in the lake and provide food for Mexico City. Now, only 17% of the chinampas are considered agriculturally productive, while the rest are abandoned or used for tourism.

Due to rapid urbanization and pollution, Lake Xochimilco is at risk of degradation and could disappear by 2050. The disappearance of the lake would mean a loss of a traditional way of life along with the loss of a critically endangered species: the Axolotl (Mexican Salamander).

NARRATIVE THREAD
While our film revolves around science, it feeds into a deeper narrative of tradition and mythology. Our goal is to utilize the Axolotl as both a real-world and cosmological character due to its mythological representation in Mexican culture.

Legends tell a story of Xolotl, the Aztec god of fire and lightning, who transformed into an Axolotl to escape sacrifice. Before becoming a salamander, he disguised himself as corn and maguey.

Like the Axolotl, Xochimilco and the whole Valley of Mexico have gone through significant transformation due to the negative impacts of urbanization and pollution. Despite these significant blows to the natural function of the lake, there is a pathway to renewal. Like the Axolotl, Nature can and will renew itself if we allow it.

Axolotl’s story of transformation thus serves as a throughline of our film, touching on themes of trauma, transformation, resilience, and rebirth.

Meet the Filmmakers

Isabela Zawistowska — Director
Isabela Zawistowska is a Mexican-American documentary filmmaker with a passion for telling stories that weave together Nature and humanity. Her most recent work, the award-winning short film Don’t Doubt the Trout, showcases her desire to elevate character-driven stories centered around protecting and restoring the environment.

She began her career as a Camera Assistant and Camera Operator on HBO and Netflix docuseries with the producers of the Tiger King and Chimp Crazy, exploring the underbelly of exotic animal ownership in the United States.

Chamberlain Staub — Producer
Chamberlain Staub is a Documentary filmmaker who started her career working for the Nonprofit Narrative Arts, using film as a platform to tell community stories.

Her work touches on social issues and strives for honest expression through the careful exploration of diverse topics. Chamberlain’s work on Emmy-Winning series such as Chef’s Table and Live To 100: Secrets Of The Blue Zones showcases her sensibilities for compelling visual storytelling.

Rosa Hadit — Cinematographer
Rosa Hadit is a Mexican director of photography who graduated from Centro’s Film and Television program and from workshops at international schools such as EICTV. Her career began in major films and series as a still photographer and camera operator for platforms such as Netflix, Amazon, Apple and HBO, where she set foot on sets alongside great masters of cinema who have been an inspiration to her.

She is a member of Apertura, a Mexican community of female directors of photography. Her work has been exhibited at the Havana Biennial, and at film festivals such as FICM, Short Shorts, New Hope Film Fest, the Los Cabos Film Festival and the Havana Film Festival.

Make a donation to Companion of the Setting Sun.

Contact

For inquiries, please contact fiscalsponsorship@filmindependent.org.