Song of the Butterflies Discussion Guide

Rember Yahuarcani is an Indigenous painter from the White Heron clan of the Uitoto Nation in Peru. He left to pursue a successful career in Lima, but when he finds himself in a creative rut, he returns home to his Amazonian community of Pebas, visiting his father, a painter, and his mother, a sculptor, and discovers why the stories of his ancestors cannot be forgotten. A co-presentation of Latino Public Broadcasting and Vision Maker Media. Official Selection, Hot Docs Film Festival.

This guide is an invitation to dialogue. It is based on a belief in the power of human connection and designed for people who want to use The Song of the Butterfliesto engage family, friends, classmates, colleagues, and communities. In contrast to initiatives that foster debates in which participants try to convince others that they are right, this document envisions conversations undertaken in a spirit of openness in which people try to understand one another and expand their thinking by sharing viewpoints and listening actively.

The discussion prompts are intentionally crafted to help a wide range of audiences think more deeply about the issues in the film. Rather than attempting to address them all, choose one or two that best meet your needs and interests. And be sure to leave time to consider taking action. Planning next steps can help people leave the room feeling energized and optimistic, even in instances when conversations have been difficult.

Sadé Holmes is a Boricua based in St. Pete FL. Among many things, she is a multi-disciplinary artist, musician, performer, scholar, writer, community organizer and event curator. She graduated from New College of Florida in 2018 with a B.A. in Music + Cultural Studies where she wrote, published and defended a thesis rooted in decolonial poetics and black feminist thought. Sadé believes that “another world is possible”, and seeks to use her creative and scholarly work as medicine, as offering, as a way to center the critical imagination and foster collective empowerment, cultural resurgence and holistic wellness.