Indigenism and Maria Candelaria

When you first read the word "indigenism", did you know what it meant? I sure didn't!  After reading in Dawn Ades's Art in Latin America, I learned that "indigenismo" is described as the official attitude of praising and fostering native values. 

Although indigenism doesn't exactly "speak to me", Latin America went through a time where it spoke to many people; one of those individuals was Emilio Fernandez, the director of the film, "Maria Candelaria", and Diego Rivera, a famous Mexican artist and muralist.  One of the main themes in this movie was indigenism; the painter in the film and his interest in Maria Candelaria along with the lifestyle of the indians in this film reflected that all throughout the film.  After understanding a little but more about the term indigenism I could see it much easier in the film.  In the scene where Maria Candelaria is carrying her flores to sell at the market, my mind flashed to the famous painting "Flower Seller with Lillies" by Diego Rivera (1943).

This was painted around the same time that Maria Cendelaria was made (1945) and the way Maria Candelaria carries the basket of flowers on her back is exactly what Diego Rivera shows here.

Why was there such a fascination with these indigenous people?  Was it the cultural differences and practices they had?  I suppose its comparable with my interest in movies and TV shows that depict scenes from hundreds of years ago (some of my favorites include Jane Austen movies, Ever After, the television series 'Merlin', etc.).  I love seeing how they lived, what they dressed like, the way they spoke and how they interacted in society. It seems like a foreign experience.  Does viewing these indigenous pieces of artwork and watching these movies have the same effect for Mexicans and others who are interested in that time period?