Two years ago, after a screening of our short film El Cochero (The Carriage Driver) here in San Miguel, someone in the audience asked whether we had a new project in mind yet.

When we mentioned that we were considering doing a short film about Mexicans who join the US military to fight against terrorism in order to expedite their applications for US citizenship, there was a collective, audible gasp throughout the theater. From that response, we knew we were potentially on to something significant with Una Causa Noble (A Noble Cause).

Since that time, much has happened in the world and with our project. With the war in Iraq still raging, and immigration also making headline news, our idea could not have been more timely. Our story is set in a small Mexican town and involves a young man who, against his wife’s wishes, decides to join the US Army. After completing filming the project last November and spending four months in post-production, we premiered it at the Expresión En Corto film festival this past week. 

As with any filmmaking experience, this was a total team effort. When we first were considering the idea for this film, we called Carlos Pascual, who had been indispensable in helping us produce El Cochero.

With the basic story in mind, we suggested that Carlos write the first draft of the script. “When Miles and Gail told me about their idea, I decided almost immediately that I didn’t want to see armies, tanks, or battles,” said Carlos. “My friend Monica Hoth had told me about all the women who lived alone with their children in small communities in Mexico while their husbands were off pursuing the American dream, and I thought, well, there it is—this story should be told from a small community through the eyes of the women who stay behind.”

The next step in the process was finding locations. For logistical purposes, we wanted to film most of the movie in and around San Miguel. We found a wonderful old hacienda nearby that served perfectly as the home where the main characters in our fictional family lived, including the mother and grandmother of the young man, Ignacio. The people at El Gallinero Hacienda could not have been more hospitable. They not only opened their doors to our entire production crew and actors, but also provided all meals and lodging for three nights and four days at minimal cost while we filmed there. 

We also received great cooperation from Central de Autobuses. They allowed us to film on the property, as well as providing a driver and a parked bus for us to use.

Speaking of buses, we were also lucky enough to be able to rent a bus from Turismo López in San Miguel in order to film one important scene. Lastly, Channel 3 TV here in San Miguel generously offered the use of their studio for part of our project.

The final part of the process was casting. The one American character in the movie is a man from the US Embassy. We wanted him to look official and distinguished, and we immediately thought of none other than Warren Hardy. One easy phone call and Warren graciously agreed to be part of our project. We later cast three other local people in key roles: Horacio Zeta, Sylvia Velazquez and four-year old Fernando Guerra Elias, who steals everyone’s heart wherever we screen our film. The balance of the cast came from Mexico City, including the renowned Mexican actress Marta Aura, who has starred in countless films, TV shows and plays and won numerous best actress awards.

Finally, we enlisted the musical talent of Gil Gutierrez, who had composed the hauntingly beautiful score for El Cochero. Once again, Gil didn’t let us down. His music provides not only a strong sense of place but also a powerful emotional undercurrent to much of the action. 

As with El Cochero, this film was a relatively low-budget production, but everyone involved put their heart and soul into it. Whereas filming El Cochero was extremely stressful, this project was almost sheer joy. Staying at the hacienda, we all became quite close and, by the time we finished filming, we were like a small family ourselves, complete with little squabbles, but ultimately bound by a common passion. We hope this feeling somehow comes across, and that people will be moved to consider the important issues our film raises with a bit more urgency and compassion.

A Noble Cause 
Tues & Wed, Aug 1 & 2, 7pm, Teatro Santa Ana, Biblioteca Pública, Reloj 50
50 pesos, Q & A with cast follows


Learning from nature’s genius
The Bioneers Summer Film Series turns its focus on nature and science and how we can learn from nature—naturally, instead of by manipulation of nature and biotechnologies. From these two films we can glimpse a future where mushrooms can clean up toxic wastes, including contaminated waters, oil spills and chemical weapons. And we can see how by imitating nature urban engineering and computer chips can be re-visioned.

In the first film, mushroom expert extraordinaire Paul Stamets demonstrates the real magic of mushrooms: the mycocelial network is a sentient network of underground mushroom systems underlying all of our tree and grasses ecosystems. He says, “The mycocelial network is sentient and intelligent and is running around behind us trying to clean up the homo sapiens’ mess.” With extraordinary microphotographic visuals, Stamets shows how the mushroom networks are in the forefront of natural bioremediation. Stamets has received US patents on mycopesticides that have the potential to replace most pesticides without harming the environment. A dedicated conservationist, Stamets is the author of five books about mushrooms, including Psilocybin Mushrooms of the World.

In the second film, biologist Janine Benyus examines some of the brilliance of nature’s genius. She is a premier leader in the scientific field of “biomimicry,” a cutting-edge field of biology in which scientists seek to understand some of the design genius of nature and then replicate it in natural fashion. The potential for changes in urban engineering, manufacturing, computer chips, and so forth, is tremendous. Benyus is the author of six books, and is cofounder of the Biomimicry Guild, where she works as a “biologist at the design table,” helping designers, engineers and community leaders consult life’s genius for more graceful ways to live on Earth.

The films last approximately one hour and are followed by an optional conversation café.

Bioneers Summer, Film Series
Tuesday, August 1, 5pm, Teatro Santa Ana,, Biblioteca Pública, Insurgentes 25
50 pesos


Buying democracy

The Big Buy: Tom DeLay’s Stolen Congress is the third entry in the Center for Global Justice Summer Film Series. The film presents the story of one of the most audacious power grabs in American history and how a district attorney in Texas turned out to be the biggest threat to the national DeLay Machine. DeLay blatantly funneled banned corporate money to candidates in the 2002 Texas elections in the critical first phase of a take-no-prisoners plan to ensure a more hard-Right Republican US Congress. DeLay’s actions led to controversial redistricting in Texas that disenfranchised voters, set off the largest upheaval in modern Texas political history and sent five new hard-Right Republican congressmen to Washington.

Texas grand juries have brought 41 indictments against eight corporations, DeLay’s political action committee, a business lobby ally, three underlings and Tom DeLay himself. But while DeLay has given up his leadership post, his Texas takeover is still affecting all Americans daily.

The film is a warning about how easy it is for American democracy to be hijacked by a combination of relentless ambition and corporate millions. It makes the case that DeLay built a “custom-made Congress” that is still providing votes for his agenda.

Center for Global Justice, Film Series
Thursday, August 3, 3pm, Teatro Santa Ana, Insurgentes 25, 50 pesos


Cinemateca, Jul 31 thru Aug 3
José Luis’s Pick and Tips:


The pick: Una Causa Noble

My pick of the week is the new short film, Una Causa Noble (A Noble Cause, 26 minutes), by Miles Merritt - director of the San Miguel classic, El Cochero (The Carriage Driver.) Written by Carlos Pascual, edited by Gail Kempler, and scored by Gil Gutierrez, this film could not be timelier. It deals with a young Mexican wife who has to suffer the consequences of her husband joining the US Army to expedite their application for citizenship. Powerful, poignant, and poetic, with incredible performances by all, this short film is a must-see.

The tips:

Please take note that in order to provide the best viewing experience, the show times for some movies may be adjusted to accommodate their length. So please double-check the times in your schedule. Also, please remember our 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….

Les Compères (1983)
Monday, July 31, at 7 pm
Thursday, August 3, at 7pm
Cast: Gerard Depardieu, Pierre Richard, Michel Aumont, Maurice Barrier
French with English subtitles, 88 minutes
After her 16-year-old son disappears, a resourceful and charming woman named Christine (Anny Duperey) enlists the aid of two of her former lovers by convincing each of them that he's the boy's father. It isn't long before the two men, François (Pierre Richard) and Jean (Gerard Depardieu), meet by chance, trade stories and decide to team up in their search — forming one of the oddest and most inept partnerships France has ever seen.

Premiere in San Miguel:Una Causa Noble. 
Tuesday, August 1, at 7 pm, Wednesday, August 2, at 7 pm
English, 26 minutes 
Written by Carlos Pascual, edited by Gail Kempler, and scored by Gil Gutierrez, this film could not be timelier. It deals with a young Mexican wife who has to suffer the consequences of her husband joining the US Army to expedite their application for citizenship. Powerful, poignant, and poetic, with incredible performances by all, this short film is a must-see.

Bagdad Cafe (Out of Rosenheim, 1988)
Friday, August 4, at 4 pm, Monday, August 7, at 4 pm
English with Spanish subtitles, 92 minutes
Cast: Marianne Sagebrecht, CCH Pounder, Christine Kaufmann, Jack Palance
Bavarian tourist Jasmin (Marianne Sägebrecht) fights with her husband in the Mojave Desert and storms off to a nearby café-motel, where she develops a prickly friendship with the owner, Brenda (CCH Pounder). In time, they turn the decrepit café into a local hot spot, and Jasmin becomes a popular entertainer. The characters who collect at the café, including Hollywood set-painter Rudi (Jack Palance), form an odd sort of family in this quirky film.

Art Special:
Waking Life (2001)
Friday, August 4, at 6:30 pm, Wednesday, August 9, at Noon
English 100 minutes
Cast: Wiley Wiggins, Peter Atherton, Steve Brudniak, John Christensen, Julie Delpy
Director Richard Linklater's mesmerizing animated film follows a young man (Wiley Wiggins) as he floats in and out of philosophical discussions with a succession of eccentrics and passionate thinkers, all the while uncertain whether he's conscious or dreaming. Thanks to each character's oddball charm, the ethereal conversation is as dynamic as the animation, resulting in an innovative film that is by turns droll, disturbing and provocative.

Global Justice Feature Film 
The Big Buy: Tom DeLay's Stolen Congress
Thursday, August 3, at 3pm

Kids' Cartoons
Saturday, August 5, at 12 Noon 

Musical Saturdays
Excelsior Ballet
Saturday, August 5, at 2:30 pm