January 23, 2009, Documentary film series premieres, By Atención staff, Cinemateca, January 26

Documentary film series premieres
By Atención staff

Reel Docs Film Series
Moja Moja
Fri, Jan 30, 3pm
The Cats of Mirikitani
Fri, Jan 30, 4:30pm
VIP reception
Fri, Jan 30, 6pm
Teatro Santa Ana
Biblioteca Pública
Insurgentes 25
100 pesos

Caren Cross, local filmmaker, and Jennifer Posner created the Reel Docs film series to introduce thought-provoking documentaries and their filmmakers to local film buffs in San Miguel. You won’t want to miss the opportunity to see two great documentaries and meet filmmakers Sam Oliver and Linda Hattendorf.

Reel Docs kicks off with two films that illustrate how individuals are driven by their life passions: Moja Moja by Sam Oliver and The Cats of Mirikitani by Linda Hattendorf. Both films profile individuals whose passions are shaped early by different experiences, which weave their lives and define their contributions in life. This week’s Que Pasa section has more details about these films.

Moja Moja

Moja Moja brings together the vision of two strong, like-minded women in their efforts to provide children in an orphanage in Kenya with hope, dignity and opportunity. The Vancouver Sun said, “You would think this would be the saddest film on earth, yet somehow it is full of hope.”

Born in the UK, Oliver combines his passion for music and storytelling in a rather off-center but spot-on narrative. He leads a team of like-minded specialists in the areas of sound, writing, film and video editing to create a stable of new projects for bloodredcolt in Vancouver and Toronto. Many may recognize Oliver’s name associated with his generous pro bono work with Hospice San Miguel and IREE.

The Cats of Mirikitani is an intimate exploration of lingering wounds of war and healing powers of art. This documentary won the Audience Award at its premiere in the 2006 Tribeca Film Festival. Carrie Rickey of the Philadelphia Inquirer observed, “Poignant beyond words, The Cats of Mirikitani is comparable to finding a pearl in a pile of oyster shells.”

Filmmaker Hattendorf has been working in the New York documentary community for more than a decade. Her editing work has aired on PBS, A&E and The Sundance Channel as well as in theatrical venues and many festivals. Reel Docs is honored she accepted an invitation to show The Cats of Mirikitani.

Moja Moja is our first feature, beginning at 3pm, followed by The Cats of Mirikitani at 4:30pm. Filmmakers participate in Q&A sessions after each screening.

A special VIP reception following the second film gives you the opportunity to meet one-on-one with our invited filmmakers. Tickets include both films plus entrance to the reception with margaritas and botanas. Advance tickets are on sale now at the Teatro Santa Ana box office. With our early positive responses, we highly recommend you purchase tickets before January 30.

Proceeds benefit scholarships and programs for local Mexican children provided at the Biblioteca Pública.

For more information about these Reel Docs films, their filmmakers and attending the special VIP reception, check out www.reeldocs.org.

Cinemateca, January 26–February 1, 2009

José Luis Pick’n’tip

Reel Docs Film Series
A local documentary film series showcases two unique films never before shown in San Miguel. The Cats of Mirkitani is an intimate exploration of lingering wounds of war and healing powers of art. This documentary won the Audience Award at its premiere in the 2006 Tribeca Film Festival. Moja Moja 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 are not to 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.

Video Opera and Ballet series continues
Madame Butterfly
Monday, January 26 at 2pm
Video, Opera Australia, English, 141 minutes

Madame Butterfly is an opera in three acts (originally two acts) by Giacomo Puccini, with an Italian libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa.

Puccini based his opera in part on the short story “Madame Butterfly” (1898) by John Luther Long, which was dramatized by David Belasco. Puccini also based it on the novel Madame Chrysanthème (1887) by Pierre Loti. According scholar Arthur Groos, the opera was based on actual events in Nagasaki in the early 1890s.

The original two-act version premiered on February 17, 1904, at La Scala in Milan to a poor reception (due to late completion and inadequate rehearsal time) despite the presence of such notable singers as soprano Rosina Storchio, tenor Giovanni Zenatello and baritone Giuseppe De Luca in the lead roles. Puccini revised the opera, splitting the second act into two acts and making other changes. This version was a huge success on May 28, 1904, in Brescia.

Tamaki Miura, Japan’s best-known opera singer, won international fame for her performances as Cio-Cio San and her statue, together with that of Puccini, can be found in Nagasaki’s Glover Garden.

The opera is a staple of the standard operatic repertoire by companies around the world and is the most-performed opera in the US.

Next week: Monday, February 2, Richard Strauss’s Salome.

The History of Mexico
Thursday, January 29 at 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 in the Bilioteca 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. A reporter for The New York Times said, “This story should be required viewing by all who enter Mexico.”

Love Is…
Thursday January 29 at 1pm
San Miguel comedy, English, 98 minutes
Director: Nils Macquarie
Producer: Gerry Holmes
Writer: Christine Foster
Love is in bloom in the enchanted colonial city of San Miguel de Allende, 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.

Moja Moja
Friday, January 30 at 3pm
Documentary, English, 44 minutes
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.

Moja Moja unfolds one step at a time, beginning from one woman’s naïve, idealistic dream to the eye-opening realities of an orphanage in Kenya 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.

The Cats of Mirkitani
Friday January 30 at 4:30pm
Documentary, English, 74 minutes
An intimate exploration of lingering wounds of war and healing powers of art, this documentary won the Audience Award at its premiere in the 2006 Tribeca Film Festival. “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.

Kids Movies: Cartoons
Saturday, January 31 at noon