Likely dating to the early 1950s, this elaborate home movie features title cards, and takes the form of a travelogue of Guatemala and Guatemala City. The area is characterized by its rich Mayan culture. Guatemala City is the capital of Guatemala situated in Central America. The film opens with the national bird of the city; the Quetzal, a part of the Trogon family (:10). The national flower is the White Nun Orchid (:17). The National Palace (:53); a building which is known as the city’s symbol in its architectural design, is highlighted prior to panoramic shot of the city. This building suffered damage during the 1949 coup attempt. Guatemalans move in and out of the building (1:21). Bullet holes dot the walls of city buildings following the turmoil (1:44). A bomb was set off in the Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala (2:04) during a series of protests. Colorful piñatas are carried by pole by locals milling in front of the building (2:16). Footage follows from the day after the revolution as business carried on as usual (2:42). The Torre del Reformador (2:54) was constructed in 1935 in honor of the 100th anniversary of Justo Rufino Barrios’ birth. The stunning Yurrita Church appears (3:04); constructed in 1929. Lake Atitlan (3:54) is captured from the Inter-American highway near Patzicia. A Guatemalan fiesta for Christmas is captured along the side of the road (4:01) as locals don festive attire of red cloaks. The tour then pauses at Godiner to view the Atitlan waters (4:42) encircled by mountains and light clouds. Hotel Tzanjuyu is captured on the lake’s edge (4:59). The Toliman and San Pedro volcanoes follow (5:19). Female Guatemalans wash their clothes by hand at the water’s edge (5:31). The double peak of the Toliman volcano (5:50) is seen behind the volcano of Atitlan and near the San Pedro volcano. The filmmakers then take an early morning mail boat to Santiago de Atitlan (6:12). The night-blooming cereus’ (6:30) flower and fruit are seen (6:53). A Guatemalan woman washes a naked baby outside her thatched roof home (7:00). Three dances are underway on the day of the fiesta for St. James Day (8:25). A solo Mexican dancer celebrates on a high tower in costume (10:22). The Three Sisters volcano is captured in Antigua (11:04). The Church at Ciudad Vieja near Antigua was completed in 1534 making it the oldest church in the American hemisphere (11:44). The municipality of San Antonio Aguas Calientes (12:03) is known for its history of weavers (12:09). The village of San Juan del Obispo is situated on the slope of Agua (12:26). As the film moves from Antigua to Guatemala; they pass through the town of Santa Maria de Jesus (13:14). A festival erupts on July 30th for St. James and St. Christopher in Palin (13:45). The film begins to conclude as fiesta guests watch a pretend bullfighting game (14:01).
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