Hebden Bridge Film Festival March 2021

THE BLACK TREE followed by Q&A

Expired March 21, 2021 11:59 PM
Already unlocked? for access
Vote for the Audience Award for best feature when you've unlocked the program and watched the film.
Protected ContentThis content can only be viewed in authorized regions: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Suggested Watch Time -Saturday 10.30am followed by Q&A with Jessie Gibbs from HOME (Manchester) and Ignacio Aguiló (Manchester University)

With a host of awards and stunning cinematography this beautiful and poetic documentary follows Martín, an indigenous goat farmer from the Qom (or Toba) community in Argentina, who is trying to find out why his precious goats are dying. Their sickness is a metaphor for his people's land, which is being bulldozed and destroyed by huge multinational agribusinesses. In their fight for land rights the Qom organize demonstrations and conduct road blocks, mostly in vain, and still the goats keep dying. Martín turns to an ancient and magical solution: a pilgrimage to the elusive Black Tree, with its mythical power to break a curse. Will he find the answers there?


Presented by ¡Viva! Spanish & Latin American Festival at HOME, Manchester, with the support of the BFI Film Festival Fund, awarding funds from The National Lottery.

  • Year
    2018
  • Runtime
    79 minutes
  • Language
    Qom with subtitles
  • Country
    Argentina
  • Rating
    12A
  • Note
    At the center of the Earth there is a black tree: those who can reach it may be able to talk to the trees, send messages through birds and heal curses.
  • Director
    Máximo Ciambella, Damián Coluccio
  • Screenwriter
    Máximo Ciambella, Damián Coluccio
  • Producer
    Agustina Santiago
  • Executive Producer
    Micaela Álvarez
  • Cast
    Martín Barrios, Valentín Suarez
  • Cinematographer
    Cobi Migliora
  • Editor
    Lucia Torres
  • Composer
    Martín Barrios, Guido Pierangelli, Atilio Sanchez
  • Sound Design
    Atilio Sanchez, Lucia Torres