ATAHUALPA

In the cold and silent early mornings of Quito, when the city is still asleep, Ernesto is already on his feet. With his tricycle as his faithful companion, he travels the aisles of the Wholesale Market, loading and transporting food for more than eight hours. Ernesto is a porter, a trade that sustains his life and that of his family, who live in a humble home near the market. His story is that of a migrant who has learned to struggle day by day in the city, facing adversity with effort and perseverance.

Ernesto's life has not been easy. As a migrant, he has had to adapt to an environment that often excludes and marginalizes him. However, his unbreakable spirit has led him to take on a new challenge: to become a leader of the Atahualpa Organization. For Ernesto, being organized is not only a necessity, but a form of resistance. From his role as a leader, he fights against inequality and exclusion, seeking better days for himself and for those who, like him, work in the shadows to keep the city moving.

The short documentary immerses us in Ernesto's routine, showing not only his tireless work, but also his transformation as a community leader. With images that capture the essence of the market, the bustle of the aisles and the dignity in each pedal of his tricycle, the film invites us to reflect on the daily struggles of those who sustain the city from the margins.

“ATAHUALPA” is an intimate and moving portrait of a man who, from his humble tricycle, carries not only food, but also dreams, hopes and a deep commitment to his community. A testimony of resistance, organization and struggle that reminds us that, even in the most forgotten spaces, there are stories of dignity that deserve to be told.