The fifth edition of the Contemporary Mexican Cinema Film Series launches this Thursday, June 27. A collaboration between Instituto Cervantes, the National Hispanic Cultural Center and the Consulate of Mexico, this fantastic film series introduces audiences to the best in modern Latin American film. The series kicks off with the 2010 documentary Vuelve a la Vida, the story of a poor Mexican scuba diver who travels from Acapulco to New York City with dreams of marrying a top American model and capturing the ultimate shark. The series continues every Thursday until July 25, screening films like 2009’s Un Día Menos (the moving documentary account of an elderly couple and their philosophical solutions to everyday monotony) and 2011’s Donkeys (a poetic drama about a 10-year-old’s solo journey across remote southern Mexico in the ’40s). Screenings are free and open to the public. All films are in Spanish with English subtitles and will begin at 7 p.m. in the NHCC’s Bank of America Theatre (1701 Fourth Street SW).
Reel World: Enchanted Movies Enchanted Movies
Santa Fe-based writer and film historian Jeff Berg will be at the Albuquerque Special Collections Library (423 Central NE) on Saturday, June 29, to present the latest in his clip-filled film lecture series “Made in New Mexico.” This 100-minute screening will feature clips from approximately 20 different movies, including the first piece of film ever shot in New Mexico (an 1897 travelogue by Thomas Edison). Berg will provide narration for these historical Hollywood clips, offering tidbits and trivia about the films. Berg is an expert on this kind of thing, and audience questions are encouraged along the way. Among the actors you’ll glimpse acting their way through New Mexico: Errol Flynn, Kirk Douglas, James Cagney, Edward James Olmos and Mickey Rooney. This event is free and open to the public and starts at 10:30 a.m.
Reel World: Hispanic Experiece Hispanic Experiece
The New Mexico Filmmakers Experience returns to the CCA Cinematheque in Santa Fe (1050 Old Pecos Trail) on Sunday, June 30, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Albuquerque author Alisa Lynn Valdes (Dirty Girls Social Club) will be among the people participating in a panel discussion about Hispanic filmmakers. Valdes is currently raising funds to turn her novel into a feature film. This event, sponsored by the New Mexico Film Office is free and open to the public.
Reel World: Local Girl Local Girl
Anyone with a young daughter or a severe doll fetish is familiar with the American Girl line. These time-and-place-specific dolls cover a broad spectrum of our country’s history. Albuquerque got its very own American Girl doll with 2013’s horse- and art-loving 9-year-old, Saige. They even shot a live-action feature film about the character right here in the Duke City. The film tells the story of young Saige (Sidney Fullmer), who learns that her favorite class—art—has been cut from her school’s curriculum. With the help of her grandmother (Jane Seymour), Saige fights for what she loves. Saige Paints the Sky will premiere Sunday, June 30, at 2 p.m. at KiMo Theatre (423 Central NW). Tickets are $5 at the door or through kimotickets.com.
