Companion of the Setting Sun — Isabela Zawistowska

COMPANION OF THE SETTING SUN | Short Documentary

Companion of the Setting Sun, is a short documentary that explores the transformation of Lake Xochimilco and survival of the Axolotl population. We are immersed into the daily lives of the chinamperos, examining the difficulties of maintaining their wetland farms while preserving the last remaining wild Axolotls.

As independent filmmakers, we need your support to complete this important film. We are proud to partner with Film Independent (our fiscal sponsor). All contributions to our film are considered 100% tax deductible.

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About the project

Our mission is to protect wild spaces and traditional Xochimilca knowledge. We believe that valuing Indigenous wisdom & practices is key to building a more resilient planet toward climate change.

Indigenous women, in particular, have been at the forefront of environmental conservation and have invaluable knowledge and expertise that can help build resilience. Our film seeks to uplift female-driven narratives around Xochimilco.

Mission Statement

Companion of the Setting Sun, is a short documentary that explores the transformation of Lake Xochimilco and survival of the Axolotl population. We are immersed into the daily lives of the chinamperos, examining the difficulties of maintaining their wetland farms while preserving the last remaining wild Axolotls.

Our lead character, 86-year-old Doña Susana represents the last of her chinampera generation. The ancestral knowledge she was raised on is being lost. She finds sadness in this reality, reflecting on a time when the canals that make up Lake Xochimilco were abundant with flowers and wild Axolotls.

Despite the devastation she’s witnessed, she still has a glimmer of hope that this way of life, and the wild axolotl, can be saved. She continues to advocate on behalf of the chinampero way of life, sharing her maternal wisdom to younger generations in hopes of preserving what’s left of Lake Xochimilco.

The Story

We hope to bring more awareness around the plight of the chinampero and the dwindling Axolotl population of Lake Xochimilco. Due to rampant urbanization and pollution, the lake itself is set to disappear by 2050. We hope that this film can be used as tool to educate and bring the chinampero community together and spark discussion on a global policy level.

We are also closely monitoring UNESCO and the IUCN World Conservation Congress to help influence policy around our film’s message of preserving Indigenous culture, uplifting female voices, and preserving the environment.

Our goal

Director’s Statement | Isabela Zawistowska

My path to becoming a naturalist was inspired by many years in the mountains foraging for mushrooms with my family in the Pacific Northwest. These early explorations led to a passion for telling stories that weave together nature and humanity. My documentary storytelling aspires to elevate character-driven stories centered around protecting and restoring the environment.

Companion of the Setting Sun is a venture in telling this type of story in a style that feels rooted in the spiritual world and does not conform to a traditional environmental documentary format. The slightly surreal style I am aiming for requires more resources and time but I feel it will have a greater impact on audiences.

Meet the Team