Choqela: Only Interpretation

Produced by John Cohen. 12 min. Color. 1987. Available as: VHS and DVD Captioned: No Catalog #: 0042 Order this title Sale Price: $150.00 Apply for Discount

This provocative and profound film documents the Choqela ceremony, an agricultural ritual and song of the Aymara Indians of Peru. By offering several different translations of the proceedings, the film acknowledges the problems of interpretation as an inherent dilemma of anthropology.

"Choqela" will stimulate thought and discussion in courses in cultural anthropology, Latin American studies, comparative religion, and any course in which the problems of interpreting cultural identities and events are considered. It was produced by renowned filmmaker and musician John Cohen.

Reviews

"A visually stunning and linguistically provocative work. The mysteries of interpretation and ritual performance presented in this film should be suitable for most audiences, although those involved in Latin American studies and related disciplines will find much to ponder." -- American Anthropologist

Additional Material

For additional information on John Cohen and his films, photography, and music, please visit http://www.johncohenworks.com/.