Cinemateca

José Luis’s Pick and Tips

The pick: 

Joyeux Noel (Merry Christmas)

This is a film based on a true story. During WWI, on December 24, 1914, several groups of enemies (French, Scots and Germans) ensconced in trenches just yards away from each other called a temporary truce and celebrated Christmas. All of this was done without approval from their superior officers, and they all were punished by being sent into the heat of battle. What really tugs at your heart is that they realize that they are all the same except for the language they speak. If not for the war, they would all be friends. The actors are terrific, and a special nod goes to Benno Furmann (The Edukators and Ladies in Lavender), who plays the German captain. He delivers a nuanced and touching performance. He is fast becoming one of the world's leading actors. One might call this a war film, but it is really a Christmas movie–a classic one at that. There is a running gag in the movie concerning a cat that goes from one trench to another. When they all finally meet on Christmas Eve, each soldier thinks the cat likes 
him best. But the cat isn't fighting a war–it is just going where the love is. I found the film to be distinctly spiritual, rather than devoted to a single religion most of all. I loved the minor details that are true to history: the football game in No Man's Land, the exchange of drinks, photos, mail, and even the humorous debate over the name of the cat. This is a wonderful film, not to be missed.


The tips

In order to be able to provide the best viewing experience, the show times for some movies may be adjusted to accommodate their length. Be sure to check the schedule carefully. Also, please remember the new ticket price of 50 pesos. Discount cards are 400 pesos for 10 shows. 

On Monday after 4pm buy your tickets for any selection of the week. Don’t take the risk of being locked out! Nos vemos en el Cine….

Vintage Musical Special
The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (Les Parapluies de Cherbourg, 1964)
Tuesday, December 19, 7pm
Tuesday, December 26, 5pm
French with English subtitles, 91 minutes
Director: Jacques Demy 

Cast: Nino Castelnuovo, Catherine Deneuve, Anne Vernon, Ellen Farner

Geneviève,16, lives with her widowed mother, who owns an umbrella shop in Cherbourg. She and Guy, an auto mechanic, are in love and want to marry. But her mother does not agree. She thinks Geneviève is too young and Guy is not wealthy enough. Guy leaves for two years in the army, and Geneviève is pregnant. She still loves Guy, although she has little news from him. Because the baby needs a father, she marries Roland Cassard, a rich gem dealer, who fell in love with her at first sight and promised to bring up the child as his own. All the dialog in the film is sung.

Joyeux Noel (Merry Christmas, 2005)
Wednesday, December 20, 3pm
Thursday, December 21, 5pm
French with English subtitles, 116 minutes
Director: Christian Carion
Cast: Diane Kruger, Benno Furmann, Guillaume Canet, Dany Boon, Gary Lewis
Inspired by a true story, this heart-warming tale unfolds on Christmas Eve, 1914, in the midst of World War I. As the French, Scottish and German soldiers prepare to open their presents, a momentous event occurs that changes the destinies of four people: an Anglican priest, a French lieutenant, a world-class tenor and his soprano lover. 

The Polar Express (2004)
Thursday, December 21, 3pm
Wednesday, December 27, 5pm
English with Spanish subtitles, 100 minutes
Director: Robert Zemeckis
Cast: Tom Hanks, Leslie Harter Zemeckis, Hayden McFarland, Julene Renee.
Chris Van Allsburg's inspiring children's book is brought to life in this warm-hearted, animated tale directed by Robert Zemeckis. A young boy (voiced by both Daryl Sabara and co-executive producer Tom Hanks, who also lends his talents to the role of the conductor) with shaky faith finds it strengthened after he makes his way by train to the North Pole, where he finds reason to believe not only in others, but most importantly in himself.

Kids’ movie: fiction series; Star Wars III
Presented by Guillermo Galindo
Saturday, December 23, noon
Free

Path Weaver (El Tejedor de Caminos): Ekiwah Adler Beléndez
This documentary by Alberto Becerril Montekio will be shown at 4pm on Friday, December 15, in Teatro Santa Ana. There will be an introduction in English and a bilingual discussion after the show. The documentary is an essay on inspiration and creativity, an invitation to read, and a tribute to life.

The project to film young warrior Ekiwah Adler Beléndez began on December 11, 2001, at the public presentation of his second book of poetry, Never-ending Words. The path taken by this poet, from the ages of 14 to 18, in his search for "the man behind the name," as he emphasizes in his book, is an invitation to find our own source of inspiration or "what uplifts us."

Ekiwah tells us that at the root of our problems we can nearly always find a message a gift that invites us to fully "be." The process of sharing these enriching moments with Ekiwah and his family Rosi, Baru and Dhyan at his home "enveloped in mountains" in Amatlán, Morelos, has been a motivating experience that this documentary seeks to share with its viewers. It is intended for all persons interested in the creative growth process, both spiritual and artistic.