The Teaching of the Hands Experimental Documentary Screening & Panel Discussion

As part of its recently announced programming for the Mellon Foundations Humanities in Place Grant, the River Pierce Foundation will host a special event featuring a free film screening of The Teaching of the Hands at 1pm on

Saturday, May 10th, at the Trevino–Uribe Rancho located at 604 Trevino St. in San Ygnacio, TX.

The Teaching of the Hands (previously screened at MoMA) is an experimental documentary that uses archival footage, ancient imagery, landscape views and reenactments to explore the history of indigenous culture and its suppression by colonial forces. Featuring a narrative voiceover by Juan Mancias, Chairman of the Carrizo/Comecrudo Tribe of Texas, the film brings forth the perspective of indigenous people and powerfully denounces the desecration of the land and the continuous struggle of the indigenous people against ongoing forms of erasure and exploitation. Filmmakers Carolina Caycedo & David de Rozas are creating a special video introduction exclusive to this event.

The film screening will be followed by a panel discussion featuring representatives of the Carrizo Comecrudo tribe including tribal chair Juan Mancias, tribal secretary Christa Mancias, tribal member Dr. Christopher Basaldú, as well as Co-Founder of the South Texas Environmental Justice Network, Bekah Hinojosa. The event will also feature a

special free food menu by culinary concept Malaquite and the debut of a commissioned augmented reality project by artist Juan Carlos Licerio, with both the food menu and AR project taking inspiration from the history of the Carrizo Comecrudo in San Ygnacio.

The event is further supported by the Laredo Film Society, who will be present and providing resources on the use of film as an artistic, cultural, and educational practice to build community and empower locals to create.