The date was February 10, 2015, a pivotal moment for a young Indigenous woman about to be interviewed by a German radio station during Berlinale, a prestigious European film festival. Introduced as “a wonderful guest, the protagonist of an excellent and exciting film, the first from Guatemala to be seen at this festival,” she was offered the microphone. María Mercedes Coroy, a Guatemalan Indigenous actress, greeted the audience with a mix of shyness and bravery, speaking first in Spanish and then in her native Mayan Kaqchikel language. Even at the young age of 25, with no formal acting training, María Mercedes Coroy had already garnered international acclaim for her roles in two critically lauded films: Ixcanul (2015) and, more recently, La Llorona, both recipients of numerous awards across the globe.
Born and raised in Santa María de Jesús, a town nestled on the slopes of the Pacaya Volcano in Sacatepéquez, Guatemala, María Mercedes Coroy’s upbringing was deeply rooted in her Kaqchikel heritage. In this village, where 98 percent of the population is Kaqchikel, she spent her childhood watching movies on television, harboring a secret dream of one day appearing on screen herself. However, the possibility of this dream becoming reality seemed distant. During her school years, she participated in plays and dances while also assisting her mother in their small family business. It was years later, and quite by chance, that the world of cinema opened its doors to María Mercedes Coroy. As a young woman, she happened to be in Santa María de Jesús Park when Jayro Bustamante, a renowned Guatemalan film director, was holding auditions for his film Ixcanul.
Film poster for Ixcanul (2015) featuring María Mercedes Coroy, highlighting her breakthrough role as Mara, a young Kaqchikel woman in a drama directed by Jayro Bustamante. The film received international recognition, including the Alfred Bauer Prize at the 65th Berlin International Film Festival.
Jayro Bustamante has recounted in interviews that he had a strong intuition that María Mercedes Coroy was the perfect actress to embody Mara, the central character in Ixcanul. Mara is a young Kaqchikel Maya woman living near the Pacaya Volcano, working with her family on a coffee farm. The film delves into Mara’s internal conflict as she grapples with the allure of a young man who promises to take her to the United States, enticing her with “the wonders of money and electricity.” Torn between this promise and her engagement to the farm foreman, Mara’s life takes an unexpected turn when she becomes pregnant. Ixcanul poignantly addresses critical issues such as the exploitation of Indigenous people on farms, machismo, and the grim reality of human trafficking.
Despite her childhood aspiration to be in movies, María Mercedes Coroy confessed to initial fears about taking on the lead role in Ixcanul. “Often, Indigenous women are discriminated against and undervalued, and we are told that we cannot fulfill our dreams,” she revealed in a past interview. Due to these insecurities, she initially sought a minor role as a coffee cutter. However, Bustamante recognized her exceptional talent and persuaded her to embrace the leading role. The resounding success of Ixcanul propelled María Mercedes Coroy’s acting career forward. She subsequently appeared in the 2018 film Bel Canto, alongside acclaimed actors Julianne Moore and Ken Watanabe, and secured her first starring role in the Mexican television series Malinche, further solidifying her presence on screen.
In 2019, María Mercedes Coroy embarked on another significant project, La Llorona, a film that confronts the painful history of genocide in Guatemala. The narrative unfolds through the story of Alma, a domestic worker employed by a general accused of perpetrating massacres and annihilating entire villages during his time in power. Supernatural events begin to plague the general’s household, seen as retribution for his heinous actions against the Maya people. La Llorona, drawing from the well-known Latin American legend of the “weeping woman” who drowned her children, reimagines the myth in the context of Guatemalan history. In the film, Alma’s children are symbolic victims of genocide; her spirit is tormented and seeks justice for her children, who in a harrowing reimagining of the legend, were drowned before her eyes by soldiers who threatened her into silence. “The film is very important for Guatemala, especially for the population that I represent, Indigenous Peoples. My parents spoke to me a lot about the genocide. My grandfather told me many stories. I was not a stranger to everything that happened, but I did not feel these stories until I made this movie,” María Mercedes Coroy shared in an interview with Agencia EFE, highlighting the personal and cultural significance of the film.
María Mercedes Coroy openly acknowledges the numerous challenges she has overcome and expresses pride in her accomplishments. Yet, she remains ambitious, recognizing further goals she wishes to achieve. One significant hurdle in the international acting sphere is her limited English proficiency, a skill she is determined to acquire. She also aims to deepen her knowledge of the Poqomam Mayan language, in addition to her native Kaqchikel. During the filming of Malinche, which recounts the story of a young Indigenous woman “given” to Hernán Cortés, the notorious Spanish conquistador, as his translator, María Mercedes Coroy expanded her linguistic repertoire, learning elements of Yucatec Maya and Popoluca languages of Mexico, showcasing her dedication to portraying Indigenous narratives authentically.
The rising profile of María Mercedes Coroy has led to collaborations with various advertising campaigns and advocacy for social causes. She has become a face for organizations like OXFAM, the United Nations Population Fund, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, lending her voice to important global issues. Furthermore, she actively participates in conferences and forums, aiming to inspire young people. María Mercedes Coroy advocates for change in Guatemala, emphasizing the need for greater representation of Indigenous people in media, beyond just her own visibility. She notes the marginalization of Indigenous communities in Guatemala, where mainstream media often favors images of Ladino and European descendants. María Mercedes Coroy hopes to inspire young people to embrace their Indigenous heritage and cultural roots, expressing confidence that “the young generation that is watching me and making some kind of art will continue to do so,” fostering a future generation of Indigenous artists and storytellers.
Despite her burgeoning international career and travels to numerous countries, María Mercedes Coroy maintains a strong connection to her origins. She cherishes time spent with her family, engages in Maya weaving, and actively participates in community events. Her pride in her Indigenous identity is evident in her consistent wearing of Maya clothing, from her town and other regions of Guatemala, wherever she goes. During the Berlinale, she proudly wore a Santa María de Jesús huipil (traditional blouse). At an exhibition at the festival, she was invited to sign one of her photographs, a moment she savored, slowly signing as if to affirm her quiet yet potent strength and potential, like a volcano capable of both stillness and powerful eruption.
Top photo: María Mercedes Coroy. Photo by La Casa de Producción.
