The Embassy of Mexico’s Juan Gabriel Ceballos insists his country isn’t just about hats (or tacos or people holding guitars)—duh. What’s more to Mexican culture? Cinema, of course.
We’re getting more of this in Cine Mexico. Happening from Sept. 20 to 24 at the Red Carpet cinemas in Shangri-La Plaza, the festival presents an amalgam of classic and fresh flicks of Mexican cinema. Here are a few flicks you might like:
“Como Agua Para Chocolate” (“Like Water For Chocolate”)
Dir. Alfonso Arau
This 1992 classic follows Tita, a young girl (in fact, the youngest of her siblings) who madly falls in love with Pedro. The catch? Her mother goes against it—to the point that she lets Tita’s older sister marry Pedro. Eventually, Tita discovers she can nurse her heartbreak not through books or movies, but through cooking. This poetic, critically-acclaimed opus of magic realism explores the need to abolish gender roles and problematic traditions.
“Enamorandome de Abril” (“Falling in Love with Abril”)
Dir. Joel Nunez Arocha
This rom-com has a lot going on. There’s a female writer who uses a male pseudonym and a male writer who uses a female pseudonym. Aside from that, they have nothing in common. After meeting, they start to question everything they know about love and relationships. Sounds like trip to identity crisis lane.
“El Angel en el Reloj” (“The Angel in the Clock”)
Dir. Miguel Angel Uriegas
In the hopes of stopping time, Amelia, who is diagnosed with leukemia, is whisked away by an angel. This animated film uncovers the importance of the present (and some really cool clock castles to boot.)
Other films include “Que Culpa Tiene el Nino” (“Don’t Blame The Kid”), “La Carga” (“Load”), and “La Boda de Valentina” (“Valentina’s Wedding”), and “Cuando Los Hijos Regresan” (“The Kids are Back”).
Tickets are free, but make sure you show up 15 minutes before screening time.
Still from Like Water for Chocolate