Beyond the Ruins
(Beyond the Ruins)
Brady Skye | Documentary, Adventure
2024 | 72 minutes | United States, Mexico
An American trades archaeology for everyday life with Yucatecan Maya families, uncovering ancient wisdom that offers hope for the future.
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Synopsis
Beyond the Ruins explores what it means to be Yucatecan Maya in the 21st century. Starting at the ancient city of Coba, the film takes viewers deep into the jungle, where two indigenous families work to preserve their cultural identity and spiritual philosophy: in lak’ ech, a lak’ en — “I am you; you are me.” Through stunning visuals and heartfelt moments, the film reveals how the Maya view themselves as part of a greater whole—each other, nature, and the cosmos.
Director Brady Skye undergoes a personal transformation, contrasting his Western upbringing with the Maya’s sense of interconnectedness. This emotional journey underscores a powerful message: the wisdom of indigenous cultures may hold answers for a more sustainable, compassionate future.
Beyond the Ruins is a moving portrait of a living culture that continues to thrive, reminding us that the true legacy of the Maya isn’t buried in the past—it’s alive today.
Reviews
"Visually stunning and philosophically profound." – Carol Cram, Artsy Traveler
Citation
Coming soon.
Cataloging
A MARC record for this title is not available yet.
Pragda subjects
Anthropology
Central America
Culture + Identity
Geography
Indigenous Peoples
North America
Race + Ethnicity
Religion + Spirituality
Keywords
Clips
Festivals
Orlando Film Festival - Best Documentary Feature; Silver Anthem Award from the International Academy of Digital Arts & Sciences; TravelFilm International Film Festival - Best Documentary; One Planet, One World ART&TUR International Film Festival - Special Award; Girona Film Festival; Red Nation International Film Festival; Santa Fe Film Festival; Los Angeles Film & Documentary Awards - Honorable Mention; World Class Film Awards - Best Director, Award of Merit
DIRECTOR: Brady Skye
NATIONALITY: United States, Mexico
YEAR: 2024
GENRE: Documentary, Adventure
LANGUAGE: English
COLOR / B&W: Color
GRADE LEVEL: Middle School, High School, College, Adult
SUBTITLE/CC: AVAILABLE
AUDIO DESCRIPTION: NOT AVAILABLE
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Guatemala: En terre Maya
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