American Ch’alla

In Virginia, a new workday begins at a construction site. Surrounded by lumber, concrete, tools, and machinery ready to be put into action, the structures that will soon become homes for families in the United States begin to take shape. It is the first day on the job, and Bruno and his crew are preparing to get started. But before taking the first step, something unexpected happens: Bruno prepares an offering, asks for prosperity for the project, and, thousands of miles away from Bolivia, in the heart of the United States, lights a fire to begin the ch’alla and give thanks to Pachamama.

Through Bruno, American Ch’alla explores the stories of different Latino workers who live and work in Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. They came in search of economic opportunities and a better future, and today they are part of the workforce building homes, buildings, and essential spaces that contribute to the country’s growth. As they adapt to life in the United States, start businesses, work, and build their own paths, they also preserve traditions that take on new meaning far from Bolivia. The documentary explores this exchange between two worlds: how the United States transforms their lives and how they, through their work and their culture, also leave a mark on the country. At the intersection of progress, identity, and belonging, one tradition connects all of their stories: the ch’alla.