When I read the script for "Raíz", I fully identified with the vision: living in a dream world and pursuing an illusion during times of adversity. As I immersed myself in Feliciano’s story, I fell in love with the struggles of the young protagonist and his companions. I felt that many moments of the script evoked my own memories from growing up in Cusco.

 

From the beginning, "Raíz" was the impulse for a magical journey through the eyes of Feliciano. A journey that submerges us in his worldview, his origin and his desires, all of which could have been cut short by the danger that threatens to destroy his roots.

 

The desire to see Peru at the Football World Cup for the first time in 36 years, was the hope of many Peruvians across different generations, including me.  It meant uniting everyone in the same dream and forgetting, for a moment, our difficulties. However, it revealed a stark contrast between the shared happiness and the different realities lived in our country. Telling the story from Feliciano’s point of view highlights the importance of preserving the innocence of children and bonds with the earth, amidst the dangers that threaten to destroy them.

 

The process of finding Feliciano, brought to life by Alberth Merma, was magical.

 

Our protagonist started to appear, alongside his faithful friends, as we travelled past sacred mountains, walking between rocks and the clouds, with the firm conviction of respecting his origin. Directing Alberth was an exploration of his own experiences similar to Feliciano’s, his very own life gave our caracter a new dimension. His playfulness, his boldness and his natural way to connect to his environment helped shaping the story little by little.

 

This experience made me value even more the importance of knowing where we come from. Without a doubt, this is a journey to our inner self, an exploration of our desires, a reminder of what we are made of, and of the thing most valuable to us: our roots.