Continuing the countdown to Expresión en Corto
By Atención staff June 20, 2008 San Miguel de Allende

The countdown is on for the film festival—San Miguel’s own Expresión en Corto. This year the theme is “Identity” and festival director Sarah Hoch extends an invitation to sanmiguelenses to dress their homes and buildings for the movies. The contest “San Miguel se viste de cine” (San Miguel dressed for the movies), is sponsored by Expresión en Corto and several tourism and business associations.

Prize money of up to 7,000 pesos will be given to the for the best dressed buildings in the following categories: cinema or short films, Golden Age Mexican movies or Yolanda Montes “Tongolele,” a Mexican actress and “identity.”

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

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.

Expresión en Corto also seeks accommodations in San Miguel for the young interns who will assist with film screenings and events during the festival. Please call 152-8899 for more information.

Cinemateca, June 23–29, 2008

José Luis Pick’n’tip

The Picks

Ten Canoes

This movie is an authentically told Aboriginal fable about love, loyalty, honesty and humor. The cast members speak their native language and walk around naked (it’s so matter-of-fact that you almost don’t notice). Wonderful storytelling and great camera work, too.

The Empire of the Nude: The Victorian Nude

Another great art movie choice will be The Empire of the Nude: The Victorian Nude, a must-see for all art lovers. You will never see the nude in art as you used to!


The Tip Important: 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 José Luis at alephamour@hotmail.com.  Thank you.

The Movies

Sarkar (2005) 
Monday, June 23 at 5pm
Thursday, June 26 at 7pm
India, Hindi with English subtitles, 120 minutes
Director: Ram Gopal Varma
Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan, Kay Kay, Supriya Pathak, Katrina Kaif

Inspired by The Godfather, Ram Gopal Varma’s crime drama centers on powerful patriarch and gangster Subhash Nagare, aka Sarkar (Amitabh Bachchan). When his film producer son Vishnu (Kay Kay) murders a movie star, Sarkar turns his back on the young man, a decision that leads Vishnu into a gang conspiracy to kill his father.

As the intrigue and duplicity multiply, it’s up to Sarkar’s other son (Abhishek Bachchan) to save his father’s life.

Ten Canoes (2006) 
Monday, June 23 at 7pm
Thursday, June 26 at 5pm
Australia/New Zealand, English with English subtitles, 90 minutes
Director: Rolf De Heer
Cast: Jamie Gulpilil, Peter Minygululu, Peter Djigirr, Crusoe Kurddal, Richard Birrinbirrin 

Hoping to teach younger brother Dayindi (Jamie Gulpilil) a lesson about fidelity, Aboriginal elder Minygululu (Peter Minygululu) weaves a lengthy ancestral fable about warrior Ridjimiraril’s sibling battle for his bride’s affection. The tale has deep meaning, but the brothers’ expedition is the greater reward for both. Peter Djigirr and Rolf De Heer’s cinematic walkabout is told in the Aboriginal language of Ganalbingu.

Empire of the Nude: The Victorian Nude (2001) 
Wednesday, June 25 at 1pm
Friday, June 27 at 7pm
Art documentary, English, 56 minutes

The history of the nude in British art is covered in this documentary that traces the tradition from its initial stages. With inspiration drawn from both Roman and Greek classicism, the nude paintings of artists such as William Etty, Lord Leighton and George Frederic Watts are featured.

F for Fake (1976) 
Thursday, June 26 at 3pm
Friday, June 27 at 2pm
Documentary, English, 88 minutes
Director: Orson Welles
Cast: Orson Welles, Oja Kodar, Joseph Cotton, Francois Reichenbach, Andres Vincente Gomez 

In this free-form documentary from the one and only Orson Welles, the famed storyteller zigzags through a sardonic, fanciful tale of how art manages to amaze and fool us, often simultaneously. With faux determination, Welles examines the charismatic artist Elmyr de Hory, who makes pretty good money creating bogus Picassos and Matisses. Also fascinating is Welles’s own deception and a peek into the life of the very private man.



Kids Movies: Cartoons
Saturday, June 28 at noon