Watch Kids' Reviews of
MAYAN FOREST: WHEN A TAPIR GAZES UPON YOU

What to know:
MAYAN FOREST: WHEN A TAPIR GAZES UPON YOU is in the KIDS FIRST! Film Festival - it may not be a regular, endorsed title
Recommended age 12-18
14 minutes
VIDEO
TANIA ALVAREZ GUERRO
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MAYAN FOREST: WHEN A TAPIR GAZES UPON YOU cover image
The Mayan Forest: When A Tapir Gazes Upon You is a calm and chilled-out family-friendly documentary focusing on a story that has been passed down through generations.

The film begins telling the origin story of the tapir; talking about the gods and how they came together to create the tapir. The tapir later went on to create the corn people - humans - but the tapir hid, and as the world got quieter, the corn people were searching for the tapir. The film follows a group of children who go on an adventure through the Maya Forest in search of the tapir. Their journey traverses myth, jungle and memory.

Narrated by Tania Alvarez, the story focuses on both the history of the tapir and the children's quest to find them. It used to just roam the world, but now it is rarely seen. The visuals are great and the audio quality is very good. I particularly enjoyed the close-ups of the tapir. There are a lot of kids and parents who come together in search of the tapir. But the kids tell the story and represent who and what the tapir is. The kids from Mexico and Belize and their clothing is representative of their countries. We see the kids in both countries but, in the middle of the film the location is in the jungle and most of all, their memory. The music is well selected and definitely enhances the film. The music gives us a sense of familiarity with the children and it has a calming effect. The narration by Tania Alvarez pulls together the film as she explains the history of the tapir as well as the search by the children.

The film's message is about the importance of protecting the tapir in Mexico and Belize.

give The Mayan Forest: When A Tapir Gazes Upon You 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. By Miguel C. and Julie S., KIDS FIRST!

The Mayan Forest: When A Tapir Gazes Upon You is a calm and chilled-out family-friendly documentary focusing on a story that has been passed down through generations.

The film begins telling the origin story of the tapir; talking about the gods and how they came together to create the tapir. The tapir later went on to create the corn people - humans - but the tapir hid, and as the world got quieter, the corn people were searching for the tapir. The film follows a group of children who go on an adventure through the Maya Forest in search of the tapir. Their journey traverses myth, jungle and memory.

Narrated by Tania Alvarez, the story focuses on both the history of the tapir and the children's quest to find them. It used to just roam the world, but now it is rarely seen. The visuals are great and the audio quality is very good. I particularly enjoyed the close-ups of the tapir. There are a lot of kids and parents who come together in search of the tapir. But the kids tell the story and represent who and what the tapir is. The kids from Mexico and Belize and their clothing is representative of their countries. We see the kids in both countries but, in the middle of the film the location is in the jungle and most of all, their memory. The music is well selected and definitely enhances the film. The music gives us a sense of familiarity with the children and it has a calming effect. The narration by Tania Alvarez pulls together the film as she explains the history of the tapir as well as the search by the children.

The film's message is about the importance of protecting the tapir in Mexico and Belize.

give The Mayan Forest: When A Tapir Gazes Upon You 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. By Miguel C. and Julie S., KIDS FIRST!

A group of children go on an adventure through the Maya Forest in search of the tapir. Their journey traverses myth, jungle and memory.
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