Long practiced in Native American villages of Mexico and other parts of Latin America, curanderos also are found in New Mexico, south Texas, Arizona and California.Īnthropologists believe curanderismo remained popular among poor Latinos because they didn’t have access to health care.

Cruz, who plays a curandero and protector in the movie, is one of many Latino actors featured in a cast that includes comedian Paul Rodriguez and Marisol Ramirez, who plays La Llorona.Ĭuranderismo is the art of using traditional healing methods like herbs and plants to treat various ailments. The Curse of La Llorona, starring Linda Cardellini and Raymond Cruz, centers on the Mexican folklore of La Llorona, a crying female spirit who takes children. The production hired curanderos as consultants to make sure the curandero in the film was portrayed accurately and with sensitivity, Warner Bros. “To us this to promote a movie, especially during, is disturbing.” “The limpia is a cleansing that helps people see the holy that’s within them,” Gonzales said. Tonita Gonzales, an internationally known curandera based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, called the promotion an “outrage and an appropriation” of Mexican-American culture. Wold did not immediately return emails and phone messages left by the Associated Press. He called the experience “overwhelmingly positive.” “Working at press junkets, offering my services to people from all walks of life, including several well-known people, influencers, and media has allowed me to share my gift with people who normally would not have sought me out,” Franco said. wasn’t looking for stereotypes when the studio invited him several times at various events for the film. “It heightens the fear factor around a traditional practice and commodifies and exploits our culture just to get people to see their movie.”īut Miguel Franco, a curandero based in Los Angeles, said Warner Bros.

That angered her and she posted the email on her Facebook page. Sesma said she ignored the invite until she started seeing photos of purported limpias at screenings online. “Let me know if this is something you would be interested in doing!” “I’m working on the movie La Llorona and am looking for a curandero to do limpias before my movie screenings,” publicist Nahir Wold wrote San Diego-based curandera Grace Sesma in an email. In addition, photos posted on social media show images of supposed healers providing ceremonial cleansings in front of posters of Curse of La Llorona, then celebrating as if attending a party.

The curse of la llorona opening scene