“This film is really good! It is a “must-see” for anyone interested in Guatemala and Mesoamerica.”
Ana Carlos, Guatemalan Filmmaker, Television Producer & Director
The Film In About 100 Words
Guatemala is the beating heart of the Mayan world. It is home to one of the world’s founding civilizations, twenty-four indigenous languages, a wild and dramatic landscape, incredible biodiversity, a riotous menagerie of customs and traditions, and a gracious, resilient population.
For decades, the country has struggled in anonymity, slowly emerging from the shadows of a devastating earthquake and tragic civil war. Our film celebrates the things that makes Guatemala special while revealing the challenges that compel so many Guatemalans to risk the difficult journey to the southern border.
Guatemala: On the Edge of Discovery provides a valuable window into a land and people worth getting to know, especially now that our immigration and diversity conversations can be so contentious.
The Film In About 100 Words
Guatemala is the beating heart of the Mayan world. It is home to one of the world’s founding civilizations, twenty-four indigenous languages, a wild and dramatic landscape, incredible biodiversity, a riotous menagerie of customs and traditions, and a gracious, resilient population.
For decades, the country has struggled in anonymity, slowly emerging from the shadows of a devastating earthquake and tragic civil war. Our film celebrates the things that makes Guatemala special while revealing the challenges that compel so many Guatemalans to risk the difficult journey to the southern border.
Guatemala: On the Edge of Discovery provides a valuable window into a land and people worth getting to know, especially now that our immigration and diversity conversations can be so contentious.
The Film In About 100 Words
Guatemala is the beating heart of the Mayan world. It is home to one of the world’s founding civilizations, twenty-four indigenous languages, a wild and dramatic landscape, incredible biodiversity, a riotous menagerie of customs and traditions, and a gracious, resilient population.
For decades, the country has struggled in anonymity, slowly emerging from the shadows of a devastating earthquake and tragic civil war. Our film celebrates the things that makes Guatemala special while revealing the challenges that compel so many Guatemalans to risk the difficult journey to the southern border.
Guatemala: On the Edge of Discovery provides a valuable window into a land and people worth getting to know, especially now that our immigration and diversity conversations can be so contentious.
Why We Made It
Documentary Filmmaker Werner Herzog said, “You will learn more by walking from Canada to Guatemala than you’ll ever learn in film school.”
We didn’t have to walk there, or go to film school, to realize that most North Americans know very little about Guatemala.
Determined to fill the void, we set out to create an authentic film that reveals the country’s rich heritage and complicated past. From the beginning, we knew that unpacking 4,000 years of human history and culture, in a place as nuanced and diverse as the “Land of the Maya”, would be an audacious challenge. We were not disappointed.
We worked hard to create an engaging, truthful narrative and an authentic sense of place that adds to our collective understanding of the region.
The reviews have been great and we are confident that the film is a valuable resource for any audience with an interest in Guatemala. It has proven to generate discussion and engagement, making it an ideal addition to Employee Resource Group events, classroom instruction and educational forums, governance and policy conferences, and non-profit organization “friend” and fundraising events.
Why We Made The Film
Documentary Filmmaker Werner Herzog said, “You will learn more by walking from Canada to Guatemala than you’ll ever learn in film school.”
We didn’t have to walk there, or go to film school, to realize that most North Americans know very little about Guatemala.
Determined to fill the void, we set out to create an authentic film that reveals the country’s rich heritage and complicated past. From the beginning, we knew that unpacking 4,000 years of human history and culture, in a place as nuanced and diverse as the “Land of the Maya”, would be an audacious challenge. We were not disappointed.
We worked hard to create an engaging, truthful narrative and an authentic sense of place that adds to our collective understanding of the region.
The reviews have been great and we are confident that the film is a valuable resource for any audience with an interest in Guatemala. It has proven to generate discussion and engagement, making it an ideal addition to Employee Resource Group events, classroom instruction and educational forums, governance and policy conferences, and non-profit organization “friend” and fundraising events.
Why We Made The Film
Documentary Filmmaker Werner Herzog said, “You will learn more by walking from Canada to Guatemala than you’ll ever learn in film school.”
We didn’t have to walk there, or go to film school, to realize that most North Americans know very little about Guatemala.
Determined to fill the void, we set out to create an authentic film that reveals the country’s rich heritage and complicated past. From the beginning, we knew that unpacking 4,000 years of human history and culture, in a place as nuanced and diverse as the “Land of the Maya”, would be an audacious challenge. We were not disappointed.
We worked hard to create an engaging, truthful narrative and an authentic sense of place that adds to our collective understanding of the region.
The reviews have been great and we are confident that the film is a valuable resource for any audience with an interest in Guatemala. It has proven to generate discussion and engagement, making it an ideal addition to Employee Resource Group events, classroom instruction and educational forums, governance and policy conferences, and non-profit organization “friend” and fundraising events.
How We Made It
The film was produced by three nimble, determined and extremely well-seasoned explorers.
Prior to creating this documentary, North American photographer and filmmaker Brent Winebrenner had worked on editorial and commercial assignments in more than 70 countries. Guatemalan Field Producers Jose Antonio Gonzales and Emilio Faillace had a combined 45 years of experience guiding travel clients throughout Central America. They knew their country and its culture like the proverbial back of their hands. When they leaned on their contacts and connections, doors opened. Thanks to the support of an angel named Elsie YiDonoy, we criss-crossed the country, chasing the leads and stories that grew into the film.
Little by little, the dexterity and determination paid off. The pieces came together, the vision was fulfilled and the long hours were rewarded. The film has been enthusiastically received by numerous live audiences and was recently accepted for PBS broadcast beginning in late 2022.
If you have an interest in Guatemala, please don’t be shy. We would love to hear from you.
Our Approach
Guatemala: On the Edge of Discovery was produced on the thinnest of shoestrings by a small crew of three curious, well-seasoned explorers.
Prior to making of this film, North American Photographer and Filmmaker Brent Winebrenner had worked on numerous projects in more than 70 countries. Guatemalan Field Producers Jose Antonio Gonzales and Emilio Faillace had a combined 45 years of experience guiding travel clients throughout Central America. They knew their country and its culture like the proverbial back of their hands.
Because our resources were scarce, we had to be nimble, creative and politely persistent in our pursuit of interviews and opportunities. Most importantly, we were driven to create a film of lasting value, something that told an authentic story of this incredibly diverse, complicated landscape.
Jose and Emilio leaned on their contacts and connections, pulled threads and opened doors. Thanks to the support of an angel named Elsie YiDonoy, we were able to criss-cross the country, running down leads and chasing rumors.
Little by little, the dexterity and determination paid off. The pieces came together, the vision was fulfilled and the long hours were rewarded. The film has been very well received by numerous live audiences and has sold into both public and university library systems.
Most recently, the film was accepted for broadcast on PBS, beginning in late 2022.
If you have an interest in Guatemala, please don’t be shy. We would love to hear from you.
Our Approach
Guatemala: On the Edge of Discovery was produced on the thinnest of shoestrings by a small crew of three curious, well-seasoned explorers.
Prior to making of this film, North American Photographer and Filmmaker Brent Winebrenner had worked on numerous projects in more than 70 countries. Guatemalan Field Producers Jose Antonio Gonzales and Emilio Faillace had a combined 45 years of experience guiding travel clients throughout Central America. They knew their country and its culture like the proverbial back of their hands.
Because our resources were scarce, we had to be nimble, creative and politely persistent in our pursuit of interviews and opportunities. Most importantly, we were driven to create a film of lasting value, something that told an authentic story of this incredibly diverse, complicated landscape.
Jose and Emilio leaned on their contacts and connections, pulled threads and opened doors. Thanks to the support of an angel named Elsie YiDonoy, we were able to criss-cross the country, running down leads and chasing rumors.
Little by little, the dexterity and determination paid off. The pieces came together, the vision was fulfilled and the long hours were rewarded. The film has been very well received by numerous live audiences and has sold into both public and university library systems.
Most recently, the film was accepted for broadcast on PBS, beginning in late 2022.
If you have an interest in Guatemala, please don’t be shy. We would love to hear from you.
“The most important thing about migration, no matter the time period in human history, is the exchange of ideas.”
Liwy Gracioso, Professor of Anthropology, University of San Carlos Guatemala