Los Muertos Day | 5 productions to celebrate the important Mexican holiday

Shortly after Halloween, the world once again stops to celebrate Día de los Muertos.

Known here in Brazil as the Day of the Dead or Day of the Dead, the date has significant significance for Mexican culture, whose celebrations begin on October 31 and extend through November 2. Stemming from a syncretism between Catholic celebrations and the customs of indigenous communities in Mexico, the festivities take place at a time when deceased souls are allowed to live with living relatives, in addition to honoring, through offerings, the memory. of those who died. far.

The Día de los Muertos is still celebrated today, but its history dates back over three thousand years, with studies indicating that pre-Hispanic Mesoamerican peoples were already celebrating this period.

With that in mind, CinePOP has prepared a short list of 5 productions to celebrate the important Mexican holiday – which includes Pixar’s acclaimed feature film “Viva – A Vida é uma Festa” and the horror classic “Macario”.

Check out our picks below and tell us which is your favorite production:

Enjoy watching:

Directed by: Roberto Gavaldon

Becoming the first Mexican film to be nominated for an Oscar for Best International Film and also part of the official Cannes Film Festival lineup, the supernatural drama follows Macario, a poor, hungry peasant who just wants a good meal on the Day of the Dead. After his wife cooks him a turkey, the boy encounters three apparitions: the Devil, God and Death. Each asks him to share his turkey, but he refuses everything except Death. In return, Death gives you a bottle of water that will cure any illness. Soon Macario becomes richer than the village doctor, which attracts the attention of the dreaded Inquisition.

Director: Ricardo Anaiz

The little-known film directed by Ricardo Anaiz is the one that deserves our attention for the celebration of the Day of the Dead. The plot, set in 1807 in the city of Puebla, New Spain, follows Leo San Juan, a shy nine-year-old boy who lives with his grandmother and older brother Nando. Leo is constantly afraid, because of the legend of Nahuala that his brother told him. The legend tells the story of an old abandoned house, in which lives “La Nahuala”, a witch. However, when Nando is kidnapped by the villain, it’s up to him to save him.

PARTY IN THE SKY (2014)

Directed by: Jorge R. Gutierrez

In San Angel, Mexico, lived Manolo, Maria and Joaquim, friends since childhood. Even though their lives have taken different directions – Maria left for Europe, Joaquim joined the army, and Manolo dedicated himself to being a bullfighter – something has remained the same: the two are still in love with Maria. Torn between meeting his family’s expectations and following his heart, Manolo travels to fantastic worlds and faces his greatest fears.

VIVA – LIFE IS A PARTY (2017)

Directed by: Adrian Moline, Lee Unkrich

Despite the ban on music by his family for generations, young Miguel dreams of becoming a talented musician like his idol Ernesto de la Cruz. Desperate to prove his talent, Miguel finds himself in the dazzling and colorful Land of the Dead. After meeting a charming thug named Héctor, the two new friends embark on an extraordinary journey to uncover the true story behind Miguel’s family story.

Directed by: Carlos Gutiérrez Medrano

In a small town where souls return once a year on the Day of the Dead, lives Salma, a sixteen-year-old girl who is the only one in the village who cannot bring anyone during the celebration because she does not know who her parents are. are. . She has dedicated her life to investigating without an answer, until one day Salma and her friends Jorge and Pedro discover an old book that could answer their questions, but it takes them on a journey full of adventure, skeletons and a mysterious man.

Make sure you watch: