The Giving Tree is a short film directed by Dominique Salalila. The film is set in Uaxactún, which is a small town in the Guatemalan jungle, where the practice of gum harvesting has been a part of the community for generations. Through the eyes of the chicleros, the workers who gather the gum from the rainforest, we see how this tradition is not just about the product, but about preserving a way of life. While the world around them changes, these people continue to hold onto their roots, keeping a piece of their culture alive in a rapidly shifting world. The film’s intimate personal tone allows viewers to get insight into the process and this makes the film all the more impactful.

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