Launching the Religious Cinema Series
By Sergio Rodríguez November 28, 2008 San Miguel de Allende
Film Series
One, the Movie
Wed, Dec 3, 5pm
Teatro Santa Ana
Biblioteca Pública
Insurgentes 25
50 pesos
| World religions are different roads to the same goal, some say. Surely, each road has different terrain, faces unique challenges and perhaps even arrives at a different shore. |  |
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The shores are of one ocean, called by many names: Yahweh, Allah, Jehovah, God, Buddha-nature, Kosmos, Brahma, Consciousness, Mystery and Beloved. Religions can be described as ways to reunite us with the Divine, to dissolve us in that ocean.
The word “religion” comes from Latin religare, which means to tie back or reconnect (“yoga” has a similar meaning: to yoke or unite).
Unfortunately, religion has developed a bad reputation. “I am spiritual but not religious,” many say, while others point out how, “There have been more wars over religion than anything.” Writer Karen Armstrong suggested that religions worldwide have been hijacked by political interests, using them to oppress others.
Instead, religion could and should be a force for love, unity and harmony.
One, the Movie is a beautiful example of building bridges among the world religions.
The directors interviewed people from all walks of life, asking questions such as: Why is there poverty and suffering in the world? What is the relationship between science and religion? What are we all so afraid of? How does one obtain true peace? What is the meaning of life?
As the project evolved, they talked to spiritual teachers, philosophers, authors, artists, priests, rabbis, yogis, imams, monks, nuns, shamans and scholars, including Robert Thurman, Ram Dass, Thich Nhat Hanh, Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee, Barbara Marx Hubbard, Sadguru Jaggi Vasudev, Thomas Keating, Hasan Qazwini and Deepak Chopra.
This movie launches the “Religious Cinema Series,” featuring movies from various spiritual traditions. We begin each movie with a few questions and after the screening we discuss what it tells us about our own religiosity.
If you see yourself as walking a spiritual path (aren’t we all?), share your thoughts and experiences and be open to learn from others. We might have more in common than we think.
Contact Sergio Rodríguez at LifePath Center: 154-8465 (#1), 044 (415) 112-5222, or
seroca25@msn.com to learn more about the series.
My Beautiful Jinjiimaa
Film Series
Breaking through the Silence:
My Beautiful Jinjiimaa
Thu, Dec 4, 5pm
Teatro Santa Ana
Biblioteca Pública
Insurgentes 25
50 pesos
This remarkable film from Mongolia is about a deaf woman who shot the man who raped her; the farmer who took the blame for her and was incarcerated for six years for the crime; and the surprisingly lovely result of that tragedy, a sweet and whimsical girl whom both love deeply.
The film opens with the farmer, Sukee, leaving prison and returning to the town where the beautiful deaf woman, Janiyanmyadag (whom he affectionately calls Jinjiimaa because her real name is “too much of a tongue-twister”), awaits him with two horses that plow through the snow back to their home in the frozen steppes. Sukee’s aged mother commends Jinjiimaa to her son, as the daughter she never had, doing all the work for two families, outside and inside the house, while raising her daughter, Khongorzul, alone.
The depiction of rural life in the frigid countryside shivers with gritty, icy realism, filmed in sub-zero temperatures with the actors bundled up in furs and insulated cloaks, even inside the tent and rustic hut in which they live. The second half of the film, in a modern city, contrasts sharply with the first part and packs a number of surprises. Though the music and story occasionally wax melodramatic, the contrast between city and country, poverty and elegance, past and present are well developed. The actors’ excellent, quiet performances are sure to evoke some tears in the audience.
Director/writer Ochir Mashbat and cinematographer Geserjav Mash deliver a world-class drama “of love and survival” in My Beautiful Jinjiimaa, which won film festival awards in the US and Canada last year upon its international release. The stunning opening shots, the images of the frost-rimed Mongolian steppes and the relentless but somehow tender close-ups on the faces of the mother, daughter and foster father are sure to stay with the viewer for some time.
Cinemateca, December 1–7, 2008
José Luis Pick’n’tip
Lana’s Rain
Lana’s Rain is a film that works primarily because of the acting, particularly from Oxana Orlenko in the lead role. In fact, Orlenko is what drives the film. The main characters are a sister and her half brother trying to escape their war-torn homeland. They arrive in the big city (Chicago) and try to restart their lives. The brother is up to no good and manipulates his sister into a life deeply entrenched in the fringes of society. The last act of the film is so satisfying (I won’t spoil it for you) and a fitting conclusion to the struggle of the two main characters to make it.
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
Video Opera and Ballet series continues:
Luisa Fernanda
Monday, December 1 at 2pm
Spanish zarzuela, 139 minutes
By Federico Moreno Torroba
Starring: Placido Domingo
Luisa Fernanda is a romantic zarzuela in three acts by Federico Moreno Torroba. The libretto is written in Spanish by Federico Romero and Guillermo Fernández Shaw. The first performance of Luisa Fernanda took place at Teatro Calderón in Madrid on March 26, 1932. It was Torroba’s fourth zarzuela and his first great success
Next week: Monday, December 8: The Fiery Angel
Lana’s Rain (2004)
Tuesday, December 2 at 7:30pm
Thursday, December 4 at 7pm
Crime drama, English, 105 minutes
Director: Michael S. Ojeda
Cast: Oksana Orlenko, Nickolai Stoilov, Wang Luoyong, Stephanie Childers, Stacey Slowik
Director Michael S. Ojeda chronicles the disintegration of the relationship between Lucev siblings Lana (Oksana Orlenko) and Darko (Nickolai Stoilov), who flee the war-ravaged Balkans only to land in Chicago’s seedy underbelly. When they lose their savings, Darko—a low-level mobster and war criminal—puts Lana on the street to turn tricks. As she plots to escape Darko’s dominion, their lives spiral out of control in this hard-edged drama.
French Twist (Gazon Maudit, 1995)
Friday, December 5 at 3pm
Friday, December 5 at 7pm
Director: Josiane Balasko
Cast: Victoria Abril, Josiane Balasko, Alain Chabat, Ticky Holgado, Catherine
French Comedies, French with English subtitles, 100 minutes
Laurent (Alain Chabat) thought he knew his wife Loli (Victoria Abril) quite well. Chronically unfaithful, Laurent believes Loli is happy and will be hurt by news of his infidelities. But when a truck breaks down in front of their home and its owner, a female plumber (Josiane Balasko, who also directed this French film), asks to use the phone, Laurent discovers he and his wife have something in common: a sexual attraction to women.
Special Movie Series to support the IREE school for the deaf
Black
Tuesday, December 2 at 5pm
Hindi drama, Hindi with English subtitles, 119 minutes
Director: Sanjay Leela Bhansali
Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Rani Mukherjee, Nandana Sen, Shernaz Patel
Michelle McNally is a deaf and blind young girl who’s trying to survive in an often harsh world while hoping to determine why she was dealt such a cruel hand. When jaded and stubborn teacher Debraj Sahai enters Michelle’s life, it’s for entirely selfish reasons on his part. Unexpectedly, however, the two end up forging a lasting bond, as Debraj works tirelessly to bring light and knowledge into Michelle’s wounded but boundless heart.
My Beautiful Jinjiimaa (2006)
Thursday, December 4 at 5pm
Foreign drama, Mongolian with English subtitles, 80 minutes
Director: Ochir Mashbat
When Jinjiimaa shot the politician who raped her, Sukhee defended her and accepted the responsibility for her “crime.” Now, after serving a six-year conviction, Sukhee leaves prison with hope that the bond between he and Jinjiimaa remains intact. Shooting on location in rural Mongolia, director Mashbat and crew braved the subzero temperatures of the Siberian winter to create this touching story of hope, retribution and unconditional love.
Kids Movies: Cartoons
Saturday, December 6 at noon
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