Indigenism values people from America and criticises the marginalisation, exploitation and oppression that they have suffered since colonial times. An expression of indigenism is found in the Mexican film Maclovia (1948), led by Emilio Fernández, which faces two ideologies expressed in relation to the purépechas in Janitzio: racist, on the one hand; and claiming and altruism, for the other. This article analyses both speeches and deepens the symbols of José María Morelos, the pigeon, fishing, water and canoa to ensure that they reinforce the idea of a need to include pure culture in Mexican society.