City on the Edge podcast returns to Guild Cinema (3405 Central Ave. NE) on Saturday, Nov. 23 for a special screening of the long-lost 1936 “New Mexploitation” film The Lash of the Penitentes. This cheaply produced thriller is based on the real-life murder of journalist Carl Taylor in Cedar Crest, N.M. Actual documentary footage of New Mexican Penitentes—a Catholic religious sect that engages in self-flagellation—were later combined with a (heavily fictionalized) version of Taylor’s murder, which took place in February of 1936 and was detailed in a Time magazine article (titled “Blood in New Mexico”). The resulting “Poverty Row” exploitation flick was heavily condemned by the movie-rating Hays Office and survives only in a heavily edited version. The City on the Edge gang will be on hand to deliver more information about the strange history of this New Mexico-lensed thriller. The screening/podcast gets underway at 1pm on Saturday, Nov. 23. Tickets are $8.
Reel World: The Boy Who Would Be King The Boy Who Would Be King
The South Broadway Library (1025 Broadway Blvd. SE) presents a free family movie screening of Disney’s 1963 animated adaptation of the King Arthur legend, The Sword in the Stone. The screening takes place this Saturday, Nov. 23, starting at 1pm in the Library’s youth section (appropriately enough). The 75-minute film is rated G, but all children must be accompanied by an adult.
Reel World: Explore “Expolo” Explore “Expolo”
The made-in-Albuquerque short film “Expolo” has its theatrical premiere this Sunday, Nov. 24, at noon at Guild Cinema (3405 Central Ave. NE). Written and directed by David D. Perez, this 20-minute sci-fi film spins the story of a codependent young woman who, with the help of her wealthy father, finds a way to “permanently bond herself to her ex-boyfriend through an unethical process involving DNA blending.” Cast and crew will be on hand to introduce the film. Tickets are $5 at the door.
Reel World: Submit Early, Submit Often Submit Early, Submit Often
High Desert Screening, which wrapped up its third annual outing in October at the South Broadway Cultural Center, is already on the hunt for locally made movie trailers, music videos, short films and student films for next year’s event. High Desert Screening is described as “a collaboration of New Mexico artists working together to bring a showcase to share their projects with one another and the public to entertain, educate and inspire New Mexico’s unique theatrical and visual arts scene.” To submit your work, email highdesertscreening@gmail.com with the following: name of director, poster, trailer, link to YouTube or Vimeo video, high quality link (Dropbox or Google Drive) for the project, small synopsis and contact information. Be sure to use the subject line “HDS2020.” Submissions are free.
