DESCRIPTION:
"Madre Tierra” interrogates women’s varied roles in the home, the public sphere, on political levels and all the ways we shape social political culture, drawing on various historical references of women who have had significant impact on the world and in critical thought. The video both in imagery and lyrical content reminds the viewer of the important work women do on a daily basis.
The video’s director Kimberly Bautista, filmmaker and crusader against violence towards women, incorporates the work of Mexican animator Diego Vargas (www.boscomattel.com) to create visually powerful imagery to compliment the strong lyrics that make up the song.

“’Madre Tierra’” is my way of showing the power of women as Mother Earth. I wanted to express all the ways we love, nurture, care, fight and struggle,” said Maya Jupiter. The lyrics also reference the Black Lives Matter movement through a call to “Say Her Name” which addresses all the black women’s lives that have been lost to police brutality and other forms of violence against women of color throughout the world. Maya adds, “It is important to honor the women we have lost to violence and hold space for them. I also wanted to show how we are all connected globally and generationally in our various struggles. My Mother sent me a very special scarf to wear in the video, it comes from my Great-Grandmother’s village Çamlıhemşin, in Turkey. I wore it to honor my ancestors and to remind myself of the long line of women who fought for me.”

Keeping with Artivist tradition, especially in light of the state sanctioned violence against brown and black lives, Maya Jupiter’s intention is to instigate thought and discussion and to create generative moments that inspire people in the struggle.

Song Written & Performed by
MAYA JUPITER
Featuring Poetry Written and Performed by
JOEL CRUZ CASTELLANOS

Song Produced by
QUETZAL FLORES

Script, Direction & Production KIMBERLY BAUTISTA
Art Direction, Animation & Edit DIEGO VARGAS
1st Assistant Director RUDIK OSORIO
Director of Photography LILIANA SOTO
Key Grip DAVID GILMORE
Gaffer DUSTIN SUPENCHECK
1st Assistant Camera MATT KRUEGER
Production Assistant HEIDY RODRIGUEZ
Styling, Hair & Makeup TANYA MELENDEZ
Performances by JAHANNA BLUNT & KARA MACK
LUNA FLORES-RAMIREZ

Additional Material Courtesy of
The Guardian News
Democracy Now
CBC News

Madre Tierra featuring Los Cojolites
LYRICS by M. Martinez (APRA) and Joel Cruz Castellanos
© Copyright Control 2016

Brotaran los lirios
Las ceibas inmensas
La lluvia acaricia
La neblina densa
Un jilguero canta
Solo en la memoria
Fragmentos de historia
Que no volveran

I’m the healer, protector,
the teacher of time.
the nurturer, the fighter,
the enemy of lies
staying quiet and still
I’m absorbing all stress
until I explode then I am civil unrest
I’m the hope that was born in Malala’s heart
the dream of Sandra looking for a fresh start
I’m the will of Rehan to keep Aylan safe
the fire born in Annie after surviving rape.
I’m a Mother, a daughter,
a grand and a great,
a responsibility to support and create
I’m the fight against a corrupt prison system
standing on the front lines, robustly resisting
I’m the key that unlocks
every detention centre
the chord, the blood, the mighty placenta
I am fierce, ferocious and furiously strong
I am Mother Earth and this is my song

Chorus
Madre Tierra
they tried to bury us, they didn't know we were seeds
Madre Tierra
so we keep on watering and pulling out the weeds
Madre Tierra
they tried to bury us, they didn't know we were seeds
Madre Tierra
so we keep on watering and pulling out the weeds

I’m relief, gazing in my newborns eyes
Her cackles, her laughter
and all of her cries
I’m a guardian a keeper of tradition and faith
of memory and truth
a tomorrow that awaits
I’m an Aspen, connected to a thousand trees
roots and leaves, fruits and seeds
I am fierce, ferocious and furiously strong
I am Mother Earth and this is my song

Brotaran los lirios
Las ceibas inmensas
La lluvia acaricia
La neblina densa
Un jilguero canta
Solo en la memoria
Fragmentos de historia
Que no volveran

Chorus

I’m the moment Dajjeria became politicized
Like the second that Angela became radicalized
I’m the intention of sending a child across a border
I am Diana’s gun restoring all the order
I’m Jollene and I’m at the head of the struggle
I am Vandana and Monsanto is in trouble
I am fierce, ferocious and furiously strong
I am Mother Earth and this is my song
I’m the moment Dajjeria became politicized
Like the second that Angela became radicalized.
I’m the intention of sending a child across a border,
I am Diana’s gun and I’m restoring all the order,
I’m Jollene & I’m at the head of the struggle,
I am Vandana and Monsanto is in trouble,
I am fierce, ferocious and furiously strong,
I am Mother Earth and this is my song
Say Her Name
Say Her Name
Say Her Name
Say Her Name
Say Her Name
Say Her Name
Say Her Name
Presente.