Meritxell Colell Explores Endangered Languages in 'Far From the Trees'

Director Meritxell Colell's film 'Far From the Trees' ('Lejos de los árboles') centers on Adela, a 50-year-old Mexican sound artist, as she embarks on a journey through Peru to record endangered languages. The film, a Spain-Italy-Peru co-production from Allegra Films, premiered in Locarno's international competition. Colell emphasizes the importance of listening before attempting to understand, framing the act of recording these languages as a way to preserve a 'body of memory.' Adela's expedition takes her from the Peruvian jungle to the Andes, accompanied by a guide, highlighting the profound connection between language, culture, and place. The narrative explores themes of exile, not just in a physical sense, but also the linguistic and cultural exile experienced by communities whose languages are disappearing. Colell stated that the film is an invitation to engage with the world through sound, encouraging a deeper, more empathetic form of perception. The project involved extensive fieldwork, capturing the nuances of languages spoken by dwindling communities. The film's approach is observational, allowing the sounds and the environment to speak for themselves, with Adela acting as a conduit for these voices. 'Far From the Trees' positions itself as more than a documentary; it is an artistic exploration of linguistic heritage and the human experience of displacement. The film's premiere at the Locarno Film Festival, a prestigious event known for showcasing independent and auteur cinema, underscores its artistic merit and its contribution to conversations around cultural preservation. The sound artist protagonist, Adela, uses her skills to create an auditory archive, a testament to the richness of human expression that risks being lost. The journey through diverse Peruvian landscapes serves as a visual metaphor for the vastness and fragility of linguistic diversity. Colell's directorial vision aims to foster a sense of urgency and respect for these endangered linguistic traditions, suggesting that their loss diminishes the collective human heritage. The film's focus on sound art as a medium for cultural documentation offers a unique perspective on ethnographic filmmaking, prioritizing sensory experience and emotional resonance over purely academic discourse. The narrative arc follows Adela's personal engagement with the communities she encounters, revealing the human stories behind the linguistic data. 'Far From the Trees' ultimately seeks to create a lasting record and a call to action for the preservation of endangered languages worldwide, presenting them not as relics of the past but as living elements of contemporary culture.