Cinemateca, January 5–11, 2009

José Luis Pick’n’tip

25th Hour

I was pleasantly surprised by this film; I didn’t know what to expect. I hadn’t realized it was produced and directed by Spike Lee. Terence Blanchard’s musical score helps to highlight the film’s powerful and emotional qualities. Edward Norton is wonderful as a man frightened, repentant and introspective as he approaches his final hours of freedom, and, perhaps, his life. But even more interesting is how Lee also incorporates other characters’ feelings of quiet desperation, fears, concerns and regrets. It is a marvelous juxtaposition of those whose lives are impacted by the main character’s demise. I liked that the ending wasn’t predictable. It leaves one pondering its “ending,” something few commercial films ever do.



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:
Thaïs
Mon, Jan 5, 2pm
Video Venice Opera, English, 137 minutes
Director: Pier Luigi Pizzi
Cast: Michelle Pertusi 

Thaïs is one of Massenet’s most famous operas. This captivating story of a beautiful courtesan torn between spirituality and sensuality has been magnificently brought to life on stage under the direction of Pier Luigi Pizzi. The title role, sung by Eva Mei, is a captivating interpretation of remarkable depth. Excellent visual quality and a beautiful production combine to enchant viewers.

Next week: Monday, January 12: La Fille du Regiment



Winner of Best Documentary in the Boston Film Festival 
Lost and Found in Mexico
Mon, Jan 5, 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.

Evita (1997) Mon, Jan 5, 6:30pm Thurs, Jan 8, 7:30pm Biography/drama/musical, English, 135 minutes Director: Alan Parker Cast: Madonna, Antonio Banderas, Jonathan Pryce

This lavish film adaptation of the Broadway musical hit depicts the real-life story of Eva “Evita” Duarte de Perón, who rose from poverty to become the most famous Argentine woman in history. Her huge political influence as the wife of President Juan Perón and constant charity works earned her scorn and fear from the military and upper classes but adoration and love from the workers and descamisados. The musical is a story of love and politics, showing all the battles and triumphs Evita fought in her short but amazing life



Once (2006) 
Tues, Jan 6, 5pm 
Independent musical drama, English with Spanish subtitles, 85 minutes
Director: John Carney
Cast: Glen Hansard, Markéta Irglová, Alaistair Foley, Darren Healy, Marcella Plunkett

In this charming contemporary musical helmed by John Carney, a street musician (Glen Hansard) in Dublin, Ireland, strikes up a friendship with a migrant street hawker (Markéta Irglová). Over the course of a busy week, they compose, rehearse and record a series of songs that mirror the duo’s burgeoning romance—and help the young busker release his musical passions. The actors wrote the tunes they perform, and won an Oscar for their efforts.

Get on the Bus (1996) Tues, Jan 6, 7pm Wed, Jan 7, 7:30pm Drama/history, English, 120 minutes Director: Spike Lee Cast: Richard Belzer, André Braugher, Gabriel Casseus

Get on the Bus follows several black men on a cross-country bus trip to the Million Man March. Eclectic characters include a laid-off aircraft worker, a former gang banger, a Hollywood actor, a cop of mixed racial background and a white bus driver. All make the trek discussing issues surrounding the march, manhood, religion, politics and race.



The History of Mexico
Thurs, Jan 8, 5:30pm
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.” 



Love Is…
Thurs, Jan 8, 1pm
San Miguel comedy, English, 98 minutes
Director: Nils MacQuirri
Producer: Gerry Holmes
Writer: Christine Foster

Love is in bloom in enchanted San Miguel, where couples of all ages find romance. This light-hearted look at nine different relationships weaves its magic through cobbled streets, past fountains and flower-filled patios. Set against the backdrop of one of the international community’s favorite playgrounds, the intertwined stories offer delightful insights into the twists and turns of the timeless game of love.



Spiritual Cinema
If I Never See You Again
Only show: Wed, Jan 7, 5pm
Latin spiritual drama, Spanish with English subtitles, 97 minutes
Director: Juan Pablo Villaseñor

Sometimes asking the right questions is all it takes to make life a whole lot easier or more understandable. The next film in the LifePath series, If I Never See You Again raises the question “Is it ever too late to live our dreams?” Winner of six Ariels (the Mexican equivalent of the Academy Awards), this touching feature film has us rooting for a group of old codgers who would rather be playing music in nightclubs than sitting, bored, in a retirement home. They get their wish and embark upon a great adventure, running into love, family, drug dealers and exotic dancers along the way. This film is about rediscovering what living is truly about, no matter what your age. It reminds us to live life to the fullest. The film contains adult themes and is not recommended for children. Join us for our discussion after the film, which will focus on the topic of “age-ing” vs. “sage-ing.” As we grow older, do we become more tolerant or do we get offended more easily? Have you thought about where and with whom you would 
like to spend the end of your life? What’s fun about growing old? What do we gain as we grow older? Looking back to your life’s adventures, what have you learned from the “worst” of your behaviors?



25th Hour (2002) 
Fri, Jan 9, 7:30pm
Social drama, English, 135 minutes
Director: Spike Lee
Cast: Edward Norton, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Barry Pepper, Rosario Dawson, Anna Paquin

This is the story of the last 24 hours Monty Brogan (Edward Norton) gets to spend with his two best friends—Frank (Barry Pepper), a bonds trader, and Jakob (Philip Seymour Hoffman), a high school English teacher—and his girlfriend, Naturelle (Rosario Dawson), before he goes to prison for seven years for pushing heroin. As they plan to party the night away in New York City one last time, Monty tries to touch base with his father (Brian Cox).



Kids Movies: Cartoons
Sat, Jan 10, noon



Film
The History of Mexico
Thu, Jan 8, 5:30pm
Teatro Santa Ana
Biblioteca Pública
Insurgentes 25
50 pesos



After the successful premiere on November 20 of the DVD version of The History of Mexico we are showing this extraordinary documentary again. The filmmaker and the cast will be available for questions after the screening. If you want to purchase the DVD that evening you will be credited with 50 pesos toward the price of 200 pesos. The DVD is also available at La Tienda in the Biblioteca. 

Are you sage-ing or ageing?
By Sergio Rodríguez

Spiritual Cinema Series
If I Never See You Again
Wed, Jan 7, 5pm
Teatro Santa Ana
Biblioteca Pública
Insurgentes 25
50 pesos

Sometimes asking the right questions is all it takes to make life a whole lot easier, or at least more understandable. The latest film in the Spiritual Cinema Series, If I Never See You Again, raises the question: Is it ever too late to live our dreams? 

Winner of six Ariel’s (the Mexican equivalent of the Academy Awards), this touching feature film has us rooting for a group of old codgers who would rather be playing music in night clubs than sitting, bored, in a retirement home. They get their wish and embark upon a great adventure, running into love, family, drug dealers and exotic dancers along the way. This is a film about rediscovering what living is truly about, no matter what your age. The film reminds us to live life to the fullest. This film contains adult themes and is not recommended for children. Join us for our discussion after the film, which will focus on the topic of age-ing vs. sage-ing. As we grow older, do we become more tolerant or get offended more easily? Have you thought about where and with whom you would like to spend the end of your life? What’s fun about growing old? What do we gain as we grow older? Looking back on your life’s adventures, what have you learn from the “worst” of your behaviors?

International films discuss domestic violence
By Trish Zinder

Best Short Films
Alza la Voz
Thu, Jan 8, 3pm
Teatro Santa Ana
Biblioteca Pública
Insurgentes 25
50 pesos

CASA and the Center for Global Justice present a selection of the best short films participating in Expresión en Corto’s “¡Alza la Voz!” competition against domestic violence. The films from Mexico, Spain, Holland, Italy and Germany are subtitled in English and represent the best of the entries submitted to the 2008 festival, the largest in Mexico. 

The organizations are joining forces to increase awareness of the worldwide problem of domestic violence and stop the cycle of abuse. According to the World Health Organization, more than 60 percent of Mexican women have suffered from domestic violence at some point in their lives. It affects millions of people every day and crosses all racial, ethnic, religious and economic boundaries.

The 11 films to be screened have a total running time of 105 minutes. A panel discussion on domestic violence follows the screening of the films. 



Little Rabbit in a Hole (Hanna Doose, Germany, 2004) 11 min.

Cicatrices (Alejandro Márquez Vela, Mexico, 2008) 2 min.

Debajo de sus faldas (Maria Suarez & Esteban Varadé España/Senegal, 2007) 7 min.

Breve Cuento Sobre la Aparición Espontánea de un Árbol Imaginario (José Ángel Ávila, Mexico, 2007) 15min.

¿Será que puedan? (Áaron Zuñiga, Mexico, 2007) 2 min.

Propiedad Privada (Ángeles Muñiz Cachon, España, 2007) 15 min. 

My Sister (Marco van Geffen, The Netherlands, 2006) 9 min.

¿Perfecto? (Jaime Fraile, España, 2006) 5 min.

Ángel (Lilly Wolfensberg, Mexico, 2008) 30 min.

Todos te Queremos (Miguel Chehaibar, Mexico, 2008) 2 min.

Scrambled (Alessandro Celli, Italy, 2006) 7 min.