Cinemateca, February 16–22, 2009 

José Luis Pick’n’tip

Again by popular demand—Reel Docs fest with The Cats of Mirkitani and Moja Moja 

After a glorious premiere on January 30, we again present the films The Cats of Mirkitan and Moja Moja. The documentary Cats is an intimate exploration of lingering wounds of war and healing powers of art. It won the Audience Award at its premiere in the 2006 Tribeca Film Festival. Moja Moja in Swahili means “one step at a time” and this film documents the compelling story of two women from opposite worlds uniting to better the lives of disabled orphans in Africa. The film follows a project designed to allow an impoverished group of children to create their own self-sufficiency and economic freedom, instead of relying on traditional charity handouts. Both films rank in my top picks and should not be missed.

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


Opera Series
Mozart in Turkey (2003)
Monday, February 16 at 3pm
Classical opera, English with English subtitles, 90 minutes
Director: Elija Moshinsky
Conductor: Charles Mackerras
Cast: Desiree Rancatore, Oliver Tobias

The Scottish Chamber Orchestra’s production of Mozart’s Die Entfuhrung aus dem Serail (The Abduction from the Harem), with acclaimed opera director Elijah Moshinsky, is filmed from rehearsals to performance, giving audiences an inside look at the process of mounting an opera.

The documentary traces the history of opera’s fascination with Turkish culture and some illuminating biographical information about Mozart’s life during the composition of The Abduction, his most popular opera during his lifetime. This remarkable film combines both performance and process. It simultaneously presents a highly dramatic performance of the opera within the spectacular setting of the Topkapi Palace, while documenting the entire creative process of recording the soundtrack, rehearsing the singers and filming the production.

Winner of Best Documentary in the Boston Film Festival  Lost and Found in Mexico Wednesday, February 18 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.



Bioneers Special
The World According to Monsanto
Tuesday, February 17 at 3pm

How much outrage can a single multinational corporation inspire? How much damage can they inflict? This breathtaking film features a company that sets the new standard. From Iowa to Paraguay, from England to India, Monsanto is uprooting our food supply and replacing it with their patented genetically engineered creations. Farmers, communities and nature become collateral damage. The Gazette says the movie “will freeze the blood in your veins.” The Hour says it’s a “horrifying enough picture” to warrant “fury.” But most importantly, this critical film opens our eyes just in time. Celebrated French filmmaker Marie-Monique Robin worked three years on four continents to expose why Monsanto is the world’s poster child for malignant corporate influence in government and technology. Combining secret documents with accounts by victims, scientists and policy makers, she guides us through a web of misleading reports, pressure tactics, collusion and attempted corruption. We learn how the company systematically tricked g
overnments into allowing dangerous genetically modified (GM) foods into our diet—with Monsanto in charge of determining if they’re safe.

The History of Mexico Thursday, February 18 at 5:30pm Poetic-visual-chronological 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.” 

Again by popular demand: Reel Docs fest
The Cats of Mirkitani
Tuesday, February 17 at 5pm
Documentary, English, 74 minutes

“Make Art Not War” is Jimmy Mirikitani’s motto. This 85-year-old Japanese American artist was born in Sacramento and raised in Hiroshima, but by 2001 he is living on the streets of New York with the twin towers of the World Trade Center still ominously anchoring the horizon behind him. When a neighboring filmmaker, Linda Hattendorf, stops to ask about Mirikitani’s art, a friendship begins that will change both lives. Blending beauty and humor with tragedy and loss, The Cats Of Mirikitani is a heart-warming affirmation of humanity that will appeal to all lovers of peace, art and cats.



Moja Moja
Friday, February 20 at 3pm
Documentary, English, 44 minutes

Moja Moja unfolds one step at a time, beginning from one woman’s naïve, idealistic dream to the eye-opening realities of an African orphanage for disabled children. The experiences of these children translate into on-screen images that are emotionally charged and sometimes shocking. Filmmaker Sam Oliver follows the development of this remarkable project that brings together the vision of two strong, like-minded women in their efforts to provide these children with hope, dignity and opportunity.



Kids Movies: Cartoons
Saturday, February 21 at noon

Food security: Monsanto in Mexico
By Georgeann Johnson

Bioneers Winter Film Series
The World According to Monsanto
Thu, Feb 19, 3–5pm
Biblioteca Pública
Insurgentes 25
50 pesos

This documentary, which comes to you from France, tells you about where your food originates. It is not easy, in this globalized world, to find out the origin of the food we put on our tables.

The film, recently released with English subtitles, is the tale of Monique Robin, an investigative journalist in France, who interviews scientists, farmers, professors, etc., to dig into the background of Monsanto, the largest of the biogenetic engineering corporations.

Food is extraordinary, but it is also mundane. Perhaps it is too mundane, too ordinary, to pay attention to. And perhaps, it will cease to be mundane when the pantry gets bare.

Mexico is in a food crisis now. Of course, it is the poorer people who are acutely aware of rising prices. But we, as a community, need to be aware of the food crisis. And we need to be aware of what can make it a lot worse. There are several things that can do so, but the factor that is focused on in this film is the looming shadow of genetically modified food (GMO). As Monsanto is the giant in the field of biotech corporations, it is the centerpiece of the film. Unlike simply hearing about GMO foods, seeing about GMO foods is entirely different. This film brings the whole picture into focus. GMO is not just a food choice; biotech corporations, under NAFTA, can gobble up farms and countries and endanger the whole food system. The real issue is about food security—who owns it, who controls it, who threatens it.

Do we want our community to have a choice in this looming situation?

Then we must know what is going on. Come see for yourself. (Please note the day change of this Bioneers film from the regular Tuesday, to this Thursday.)

Monsanto in Mexico

Monsanto and ilk have recently been allowed to enter Mexico.

They already own 80 percent of seed companies.

They want to patent the 56 varieties of criollo corn that has grown, naturally, out of 8,000 years of cultivation in Mexico.

They also want to genetically modify fruits and vegetables.