James Mitchal Fenwick

BORN FROM CULTURE | Bolivia Rhapsody - Caporales & Diablada 🇧🇴

El alma del altiplano se mueve

Bolivia is home to many forms of traditional dance, each carrying its own history and identity. For this chapter, we focused on two: Caporales and Diablada.

Caporales rose from the Yungas near La Paz in the 1960s, built around the “Caporal,” the overseer of enslaved and mixed-race workers in colonial-era Bolivia, now represented through sharp, jumping choreography and bell-lined boots.

Diablada rose from Oruro, its roots stretching back to Uru rituals honoring the mountain god Tiw, later woven with Spanish Catholic imagery into a dance depicting the battle between good and evil.

Gracias to everyone who opened their doors, their history, and their masks to us. This film exists because you let us in. Huge mention to @huaskar @mamani.cie who made everything possible in bolivia.

And a big thank you to, @dr.hydrate @heatonelectrical @dancesurance for looking after us along the way in Bolivia. 🇧🇴
Que viva Bolivia. 🇧🇴

Director: @jamesmfenwick
Producer: @levelsix.co @bornfromcultureofficial
Line Producer: @huaskar @mamani.cie
Production Manager: @6ryn
DOP/Post Production: @tonymarzhew_
Assistant DOP: @manu.theartist

Featuring:
Caporales: @caporales.san.simon.lapaz
Diablada: @los_eucas

MUSIC: Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen