Dia de los Muertos adds film screenings to schedule

Photo by Pam Lane, DowneyDailyPhotos.com

DOWNEY -- The third annual Downey Dia de Los Muertos Art Festival, a one-day free event scheduled for Nov. 1, staged in and around the Downey Theatre, is expanding its cinema program to include two full-length feature films, plus an extensive exhibit of posters, lobby cards, and advertisements from the “golden age" of Mexican cinema.
 
“Macario,” a masterpiece of magical realism, tells the story of a peasant who encounters the devil, God, fate, and death. Filmed by Gabriel Figueroa, Mexico's most celebrated cinematographer, it was nominated in 1960 for an Oscar for “Best Foreign Film”.
 
“Rock ‘n’ Roll Made in Mexico: From Evolution to Revolution” highlights the rise of Mexico’s rock n’ roll heyday and the subsequent government crackdown which suppressed the music, the musicians, and the fans. Included are in depth interviews with the icons of Mexican early rock, from journalists who covered the events at the time.
 
Prior to the noon showing of “Macario,” film historian and collector Ramon Villalba will talk about the history and significance of Dia de Los Muertos and leads a Q&A in the lobby, after the showing.
 
Other festival activities include continuous ballet folklorico performances, live romantica music, sculpture and painting exhibits, hands-on art projects for papel picado and decorating “calaveras” (small sugar skulls), traditional face painting, shopping, food trucks and more.

The Downey Dia de Los Muertos Art Festival is a joint venture of the city of Downey and the Downey Theatre.