June 13, 2008, San Miguel to be ''dressed in movies'', By Jesús Ibarra, Children of war, By Rita Subirats, Cinemateca, June 16–22, 2008, José Luis Pick’n’tip Or (My Treasure)

San Miguel to be ''dressed in movies''
By Jesús Ibarra June 13, 2008 San Miguel de Allende

Expresión en Corto, one of the most important short film festivals in the world, will take place in San Miguel July 18–22 and in Guanajuato July 23–30. On June 5, Sarah Hoch, head of the festival, announced that this year Expresión en Corto will organize a special contest called San Miguel se viste de cine (San Miguel is dressed in movies), which will be sponsored by Expresión en Corto, Cámara Nacional de Comercio en San Miguel (National Trade Chamber in San Miguel), Cámara Nacional de la Industria de Restaurantes y Alimentos Condimentados (National Chamber of the Restaurant Industry), Dirección de Turismo, Desarrollo Económico y Relaciones Internacionales (Tourism, Economic Development and Foreign Relations Department), Consejo Turístico (Tourist Council) and Asociación Mexicana de Hoteles de San Miguel (Mexican Hotel Owners Association of San Miguel).

The contest consists of decorating the façades of homes and buildings in San Miguel with film motifs and is open to the general public, businesses, hotels and restaurants. Hoch said that even houses that are not downtown can be decorated and entered in the contest.

The decoration must be related to any of these three themes: cinema or short films, Golden Age Mexican movies or Yolanda Montes “Tongolele,” a Mexican actress and dancer from the Golden Age of cinema, who will be the festival’s guest star. The theme of this year’s festival is “identity.”

Buildings must be decorated during July 11–14 and be ready on July 15. They must remain decorated until the end of the festival in Guanajuato, on July 30. The decoration must be visible on doors, windows, ledges and balconies. Registration is free and applications will be accepted June 5–30 at the office of Expresión en Corto (Filmaciones del Estado) at Núñez 20; at the Tourist Council, Plaza Principal 8, opposite the Jardín, or at the CANACO office (Plaza Real del Conde AB 14, second floor).

The prize for first place in the first category (cinema and short films) will be 6,000 pesos, and creativity and setting will be considered. For first place in the second and third categories, the prize will be 7,000 pesos for each.

The results will be announced on July 19 in the Jardín. The jury will consist of several movie industry, cultural and journalism personalities to be named later.

Children of war
By Rita Subirats

Film
Memories Don’t Burn
Judith Jenya
Thu, June 19, 5:30pm
Teatro Santa Ana
Biblioteca Pública
Insurgentes 25
50 pesos

This powerful documentary, directed by Paul Dukochitz and Marianne McCune and narrated by Sarah Jessica Parker, was released in 1997. It depicts what happens to children during wartime.

Bosnian and Croatian children in the film talk about what war is like for them. The program on a small island in the Adriatic Sea where they are filmed aims to “restore children to childhood” and heal some of the inner wounds of war. The program volunteers who come to work with them also are interviewed. The film won many awards at film festivals and was in consideration for an Academy Award nomination.

Judith Jenya founded and directed Global Children’s Organization, which created and directed the program depicted in the film. She is now a San Miguel resident and will be present to discuss the film, the program, the children, her work with children in war-torn areas, and to read one of her short pieces on the war.

The International Association for Humanists awarded Jenya “Humanist of the Year” in 2002 in Sarajevo, and made her an honorary citizen of the city for her work there during the siege. She was given the Temple Award for Creative Altruism, named a Giraffe by the “Giraffe Heroes Project” and honored by the Ibn Sal Khattab Foundation for her work with the Muslim community in LA after 9/11. She was also Hadassah Woman of the Year in Hawaii and UC Berkeley Alumni of the Year for Service. She has lectured around the US and Europe, and has been interviewed on the “Today” show and written about in Time magazine for her pioneering work with children of conflict.

Cinemateca, June 16–22, 2008
José Luis Pick’n’tip

Or (My Treasure)

Or is a young girl growing up in Tel Aviv who does not want to become like her prostitute mother.

“My treasure,” as she is called by her mom, soon realizes that she is inexplicably traveling the same empty spiritual territory leading to a future that she fears but cannot avoid. This film reminds me of a great Replacement song, “Sadly Beautiful.”

The Tip In order 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. I also want to remind you of our new ticket price: 50 pesos and discount cards buy 12 shows for 450 pesos. Starting Monday, after 11am, buy your tickets in advance for any movie or show of the week. If you have a discount card, collect your pass to secure a seat; don’t take the risk of being locked out. Would you like to receive this info by email? Write to Jose Luis at alephamour@hotmail.com. Thank you.

The Movies

Winner of Best Documentary in the Boston Film Festival
Lost and Found in Mexico
Monday, June 16 at 5pm
Documentary, English, 53 minutes
Writer/director/producer: Caren Cross

Lost and Found in Mexico explores the question: What lies on the other side of the American dream? This quirky documentary explores the lives of Americans who chose to leave their hard-working, successful, and fast-paced lives to live in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, where leisurely conversations take place in the main square, burros walk the streets, and people find their hearts engaged in living once again. While many Mexicans are leaving families behind and risking their lives to cross the border to a better life, this film focuses on the Americans who have decided to cross in the other direction—for a simpler life. Questions and Answers with the filmmaker following the show. All proceeds benefit the Mexican kids’ scholarships.

No Country for Old Men (2007)
Wednesday, June 18 at 3pm
Suspense, English, 122 minutes
Directors: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen
Cast: Tommy Lee Jones, Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin, Woody Harrelson, Kelly Macdonald

A hunter (Josh Brolin) stumbles upon a dead body, US$2 million and a stash of heroin in the woods. He absconds with the cash, but brutal thief Anton Chigurh (Javier Bardem) comes looking for it, with a local sheriff (Tommy Lee Jones) on his trail. The roles of hunter and prey blur as the violent pursuits of money and justice collide. Joel and Ethan Coen direct this dark morality tale, which won four Oscars in 2008, including Best Picture.

All My Loved Ones (Vsichni Moji Blízcí, 2000)
Tuesday, June 17 at 5pm
Tuesday, June 24 at 5pm
Czech Republic, Czech with English subtitles, 91 minutes
Director: Matej Minac
Cast: Rupert Graves, Josef Abrham, Jiri Bartoska, Libuse Safrankova

Director Matej Minac’s debut feature relates the trials and tribulations faced by a Czech-Jewish family during World War II. It’s also the real-life story of Nicholas Winton, a righteous gentile who saved hundreds of Jewish children from certain death at the hands of the Nazis. Moments of pure horror are balanced with heroic acts in this gripping saga of one ordinary man who took extraordinary risks.

Or (My Treasure) (Mon Trésor, 2005)
Monday, June 16 at 3pm
Thursday, June19 at 7pm
Israel, Hebrew with English subtitles, 100 minutes
Director: Keren Yedaya
Cast: Ronit Elkabetz, Dana Ivgi, Meshar Cohen, Katia Zinbris, Shmuel Edelman, Sarit Vino-Elad

Or (Dana Ivgy) is a 16-year-old Israeli girl who does all she can to support her mother, Ruthie (Ronit Elkabetz), a sick and aging prostitute. In a case of the child parenting the parent, Or recycles loose cans, washes dishes in a local Tel Aviv restaurant and goes to school when she can. Her ultimate goal is to earn enough money so that her mother never has to walk the streets again. Keren Yedaya makes her directorial debut with this drama.

Two Sons of Francisco (2 Filhos de Francisco, 2005)
Monday, June 16 at 6:30pm
Friday, June 20 at 3pm
Brazil, Portuguese with English subtitles, 119 minutes
Director: Breno Silveira
Cast: Ângelo Antônio, Dira Paes, Márcio Kieling, Thiago Mendonça, Paloma Duarte

Based on a true story, director Breno Silveira’s touching drama follows Francisco de Camargo (Ângelo Antônio), an overbearing yet well-meaning father who feverishly pushes his sons Zeze and Luciano into becoming country music superstars. Since Francisco has nine children to feed, his determination to see the two boys become successful borders on maniacal, as he often intimidates them through various methods. Dira Paes and Márcio Kieling co-star.

Finally arrived:
Manon of the Spring (1986)
Thursday, June 19 at 3pm
France, French with English subtitles, 120 minutes
Director: Claude Berri
Cast: Yves Montand, Gérard Depardieu, Daniel Auteuil, Elisabeth Depardieu, Margarita Lozano

Claude Berri directs this pair of award-winning French dramas. In Jean de Florette, two men (Yves Montand and Daniel Auteuil) scheme to acquire a neighboring farm by preventing a natural spring from flowing, a water source that the new owner, Jean (Gérard Depardieu), needs for his crops. In Manon of the Spring, Jean’s grown daughter (Emmanuelle Beart) goes after the two men with a fierce vengeance worthy of her proud and courageous heritage.

Kids Movies: Cartoons
Saturday, June 21 at noon