Premiere presentation of The History of Mexico
By Cleo Stevens Kamelhar November 14, 2008 San Miguel de Allende


Film
The History of Mexico
Thu, Nov 20, 5pm
Teatro Santa Ana
Biblioteca Pública
Insurgentes 25
50 pesos

Twelve years ago, the idea of a live documentary to replace the poorly attended lectures on the history of Mexico was suggested by Bob Sommerlott, director of academic affairs at Instituto Allende.

Starting with 64 slides and two actors, The History of Mexico has evolved through script, staging and visual changes to include four actors and 337 slides. That evolution took two years.

For the past 10 years, this final version has been presented to full houses of tourists at Teatro Santa Ana in the Biblioteca Pública. Through the voices of the actors and the beautiful visuals, The History of Mexico brings to life the struggles, defeats and victories of its people. The poetry, the art, the color and craft of their culture are also part of their story.

Five years ago, a member of the audience, a reporter for the New York Times said, “This story should be required viewing by all who enter Mexico.” That day, the idea of a DVD presentation was born. 

Join us for this important event this coming Thursday. The cast and producer will be on hand for questions and to share experiences and comments. The proceeds will benefit the library’s scholarship program. 

A small miracle makes the difference
By Holly Yasui

Film Series
Breaking through the Silence:
The Land of Silence and Darkness
Tue, Nov 18, 5pm
No film on Thu, Nov 20, 5pm
Teatro Santa Ana
Biblioteca Pública
Insurgentes 25
50 pesos (series: 300 pesos)

The next film in the Breaking through the Silence series, The Land of Silence and Darkness, is an unusual documentary by German New Wave director Werner Herzog. The film follows deaf-blind Fini Straubinger on a journey through the lands of silence and darkness that her friends and other deaf-blind people inhabit.

Her mission is to break through the isolation that their condition creates with poetry parties, excursions to botanical gardens and petting zoos, and visits to the places where deaf, blind and deaf-blind people are warehoused. 

Fini has an advantage over those born deaf; she can speak because she lost her hearing (and sight) as a teenager, but she needs a hand-language interpreter to understand what others say. She tells us that her world is not one of complete silence, but on the contrary, one of constant noise—from a gentle hum to crackling sounds, or a steady droning, which she says is the worst. She notes that this may make deaf people a bit irritable and she asks for understanding (this is why many deaf people do not like wearing hearing aids). 

In a fascinating scene, two born-deaf boys work with a speech therapist who teaches them how to make sounds by putting their hands on her lips and throat and then on their own as they try to reproduce the movements and vibrations they can feel.

This scene takes on additional resonance when one sees the withdrawal of deaf-blind adults who do not receive the stimulation of communication and/or education from a young age. Particularly moving is the condition of a 51-year-old man who could speak before he went deaf in his thirties, but since he went to live with his mother in a nursing home, he has forgotten how to speak.

A 22-year-old youth looks and acts like a pathetically large infant, totally self-absorbed and unsocialized because he was never taught language. That he begins to tentatively respond to Fini’s efforts to communicate with touch—not words, but simple attention and affection—is a small miracle that might begin to make all the difference.

The Land of Silence and Darkness leaves us with an understanding of the critical importance of a school for deaf children where they can learn language (reading and writing, signing and, for those with some residual hearing, speaking). They also can be part of a community and enjoy activities like those shown in the Café Santa Ana photo exhibit; the IREE annual Christmas play, special fiestas and school lunches; and visits to museums and zoos.

The inauguration of the Breaking through the Silence Film Series on November 4,was attended by about 40 Mexicans and half as many foreigners—most US citizens were probably glued to their television sets for the historic election results! Four IREE teachers, the director and 10 students with their families especially enjoyed the premiere of a delightful short video produced pro bono by Sam Oliver and Emilie Davies (www.bloodredcolt.com), which featured a number of them marching down the street to school and in interviews—some in English, some in Spanish and some in sign language. Most stayed for the free screening of the first film, Johnny Belinda.

IREE supporters donated 4,500 pesos and pledged 1,000 more. This covers one-third of one month’s expenses for the school, so we hope that more donors will come forth during the film series.

The Rotary Club of San Miguel de Allende-Midday collected 1,800 pesos for IREE at their October 23 meeting, most of which was used for catering the inauguration and materials for the IREE poster and photo exhibit, which remains up until December 9.

The IREE website, www.iree-sanmiguel.org , has more information and donation pledge forms. The goal is 32,000 pesos/month (1,000 pesos per child) to keep the school open. 

Cinemateca, November 17–23, 2008
José Luis Pick’n’tip

The Life and Times of Frida Kahlo 

PBS produced this excellent documentary about the life and environment of an artist, her inner soul and tragedy. Several well-known Mexican intellectuals as Elena Poniatowska, Carlos Fuentes and Carlos Mosivais talk about her. This beautiful documentary is very well done, an in-depth look at Frida’s personal life, told by those who knew her, and how it manifested in her paintings. Well written and emotionally engaging, it has not a dull moment. It is also a rich parade of her work; I will say that this movie is a must not just for Frida’s fans, but for all art and history lovers.


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 Jose Luis at alephamour@hotmail.com.  Thank you.


The Movies

Video Opera and Ballet series continues:
Attila
Monday, November 17 at 2pm
Verdi opera, sung in Italian, 115 minutes
Director: Riccardo Muti
Starring: Samuel Ramey, Cheryl Studer, Giorgio Zancanaro, Ezio leader

Verdi’s Attila premiered on St. Patrick’s Day in 1846. The current production receives a winning performance by Riccardo Muti’s La Scala cast. Every time Muti undertakes the direction of a Verdi opera, one can expect the earth to move and here expectations are far from disappointed. The score has passages of genius. It’s hard to believe that Macbeth (even in its 1847 version) would follow it. Nonetheless, given an excellent cast the opera can excite, and an excellent cast is what this production gets. Samuel Ramey in the title role is a regal Attila more noble than the noblest of Romans. Giorgio Zancanaro is the Moesian traitor (not an Italian traitor as commentators inaccurately describe him). Ezio, leader of the Roman armies, provides an external nobility to the character.

Next week: Monday, November 24: Il Barbiere di Seviglia 



Winner of Best Documentary in the Boston Film Festival 
Lost and Found in Mexico
Monday, November 17 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, 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 follow the show. Proceeds benefit the Mexican kids’ scholarships.



The Life and Times of Frida Kahlo (2005) 
Wednesday, November 19 at 3pm
Friday, November 21 at 5pm
Special painting documentary, English with Spanish subtitles, 90 minutes
Director: Amy Stechler
Cast: Rita Moreno, Lila Downs 

Rita Moreno narrates this documentary that chronicles the life of artist Frida Kahlo. The biography reveals Kahlo’s story in conjunction with events that defined the times in which she lived and that shaped her life and her artwork. Kahlo’s tragedies and triumphs are told, from her childhood to her debilitating accident, her moving self-portraits, her affair with Russian radical Leon Trotsky and her tumultuous marriage to muralist Diego Rivera.

Special Movie Series to support the IREE school for the deaf  The Land of Darkness and Silence Tuesday, November 18 at 5pm Life drama, German with English subtitles, 88 minutes Director: Werner Herzog Cast: Heinrich Fleischmann, Fini Straubinger, Vladimir Kokol.

This Herzog documentary is about 56-year-old Fini Straubinger, who was blind and deaf since her late teens and confined to her bed by her mother for three decades before fighting to overcome her isolation. Included are some harrowing scenes of people who encounter a daily struggle against the confines nature has imposed on them, making the film a wonderful testament to the triumphant nature of the human spirit.

DVD Premiere The History of Mexico Thursday, November 20 at 5pm Visual narration, English, 60 minutes Director-producer: Murray Kamelhar Cast: Cleo Stevens, Gary Whare, Lilia Trapaga, José Luis Mendoza

For the past 10 years, this final version has been presented to full houses at Teatro Santa Ana. Through the voices of the actors and the beautiful visuals, The History of Mexico brings to life the struggles, defeats and victories of its people. The poetry, the art, the color and craft of their culture are also part of their story. A reporter for The New York Times said, “This story should be required viewing by all who enter Mexico.” 



Kids Movies: Cartoons
Saturday, November 22 at noon