Tamagochy is a Guatemalan icon renowned for performing on the historic streets of Antigua, Guatemala. During our scouting trip in 2011, we saw him perform and were amazed by his creative talent. At first, we noticed the crowd gathered around him and wondered what was happening. As we approached to investigate, we quickly realized we were witnessing a master at work. Before we knew it, the crowd had drawn us in as more people joined behind us.
As a filmmaker, I pulled out my camera to capture his antics. Naturally, Tamagochy immediately engaged with me and invited me to join his performance. I remember thinking, “It would be fantastic if someone like him could be part of Becoming Fools.” However, at that time, we didn’t have a clear vision for the film. I didn’t want to extend an invitation in case it fell through. So, I chose to remain silent. Walking away without saying anything was difficult because I recognized Tamagochy’s potential. I regretted that decision for the rest of the scouting trip.
After getting home, I reviewed Tamagochy’s footage and once more felt a pang of regret for not reaching out to him. I couldn’t believe I had met him in person and failed to mention anything about the film. I didn’t get his contact information, nor did I ask him to sign a release form. As a result, this footage would never see the light of day. And then…
About a month after returning home, I received an email from Tamagochy …
He heard about the Becoming Fools project and wanted to help. I sat there in awe of what had just happened. I hadn’t said a word and had no idea how to contact him. But that didn’t matter; Tamagochi reached out to us!
Tamagochy is an outstanding talent. However, he did not approach his role with arrogance. Instead, he joined the team as a humble servant, volunteering his time because he recognized the challenges the youth were facing. He has proven to be an invaluable asset to both the street youth and the Becoming Fools story.
If you are ever in Antigua, Guatemala, make sure you take some time to enjoy his street performance … When he passes the hat, tip him well, knowing that you are helping an incredible artist continue to make the world a better place.
Here’s a scene from the Becoming Fools Theatrical event with Tamagochy and Toñito – both are featured in the documentary, Becoming Fools.