Overview

I have been visiting the Laguna in Bacalar, Mexico for seven years. The lagoon is not only a beautiful lake, it is a huge source of knowledge about life on our planet. Laguna Bacalar is a freshwater lake that is home to giant stromatolites – the oldest life forms known on Earth. Stromatolites are rock formations created by living cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) secreting thin layers of calcium carbonate precipitated from the waters of the lagoon. (The oldest stromatolites discovered so far on earth date back to 3.7 billion years ago).
I remember well the moment when I saw the lagoon seven years ago. I had the impression that the surface of the lagoon was a huge mirror, reflecting light. Laguna Bacalar became my own paradise that I come back to every winter. Since then, this place has changed a lot. Bacalar has begun to „develop.” Plans for this development, however, did not take into account the protection of the lagoon – an attractive place for people and an extremely rare and complex ecosystem.
I implemented the lagoon project with the help of lagoon lovers. However, during its implementation I incurred huge costs myself. I set up a website, www.lagunabacalar.net, organized an exhibition of artistic works, with the participation of scientists from the USA and Mexico, I shot a 25-minute documentary. This film is a report on the study of stromatolites and the lagoon ecosystem. My goal was and is to popularize knowledge about life in the lagoon and the nature of this place.

  • Runtime: 24 minutes 19 seconds
  • Project Title: THE VOICE OF THE LAGOON
  • Category: Documentary Short Films
  • Project type: Documentary
  • Genres: Keine Angabe
  • Completion Date: October 1, 2019
  • Country of Origin: Poland
  • Country of Filming: Mexico
  • Language: English, Spanish
  • Aspect Ratio: 16 : 9
  • Film Color: Color
Kamila Chomicz
Kamila Chomicz

Director Biography - Kamila Chomicz

KAMILA CHOMICZ – born in 1980 – Gdańsk, Poland

Education: MSc: Biology at the University of Gdańsk 1999-2004

Diploma: Film director at Academy of Film and Television, Warsaw

2004-2006 and Photography course at Photography Studies, Gdańsk 2002-2004

Cooperation with cultural institutions:

RIVER CITIES PLATFORM (Europe), BALTIC CULTURAL CENTER (Poland), EUROPEAN SOLIDARITY CENTER (Poland), FOUNDATION MI-RO-RO (Poland), Institute of urban culture (Poland), aqua clara (Mexico)

Director Statement

My name is Kamila Chomicz, I’m 39 years old and I’m from Poland. I take photos, videos, organize meetings, events and educational workshops. I am a biologist by education, I also graduated from the Film and Television Academy in Warsaw and attended photography course.

In my work, I try to combine all acquired skills and knowledge to create projects and activities that I think are important. Topics that I deal with are protection of the natural environment and biodiversity, sustainable development, women’s rights and various activities related to the development of creativity and integration of local communities.

I am trying to actively build a world where there is room for mutual understanding and respect for the surrounding environment.