For this piece created for the National Museum of Anthropology, we wanted to give life to the artifacts housed in the museum by drawing direct connections between them and the real animals that inspired their creation. To achieve this, we shot the entire project on iPhones, embracing a raw and intimate visual style that allows the audience to feel close to both the ancient pieces and the living creatures they represent.

Our goal was to bridge the past and the present, showing that these sacred animals—like the jaguar, eagle, deer, xoloitzcuintli, and serpent—are not just mythological figures from a distant time but real, breathing beings that continue to shape the cultural identity of Mexico. The film seamlessly blends footage of these animals in their natural environment with close-up shots of the intricate pre-Hispanic sculptures that depict them.

By using natural light and minimal post-production, we aimed to create a piece that feels organic and immersive, much like the way these ancient civilizations experienced the world around them. The soundtrack, crafted by Camilo Lara, integrates over 100 pre-Hispanic instruments to evoke the landscapes, rituals, and sounds that once surrounded these animals and the people who honored them.

This project is a homage to the deep respect that Mesoamerican cultures had for nature—a reminder that their worldview was built on a profound connection with the land and its creatures. “Sacred Animals” is now screened at the Jaime Torres Bodet Auditorium in the National Museum of Anthropology, offering visitors a chance to experience these artifacts not just as museum pieces, but as part of a living, breathing legacy.