Events

Many of you are familiar with REEL DOCS, a documentary film series started here three years ago by Caren Cross and Jennifer Posner. REEL DOCS’ mission is to bring high quality documentary films and their filmmakers to San Miguel. The audience is treated to a Q and A following every film, as well as to a VIP margarita reception in which the audience can further interact with the filmmaker.

The kick-off film for this season is 2501 Migrants: a Journey, an inspiring film created in Mexico that explores the questions of art, the artists, and an indigenous community. Yolanda Cruz, award winning filmmaker, will be answering questions posed by the audience following the film.

Cruz is a native Oaxacan who now lives in Los Angeles. Her work has screened to much acclaim at film festivals and museums around the world including the Sundance Film Festival, the Guggenheim Museum, and Park la Villetter in Paris. 2501 Migrants won “Best Documentary” in Expresion en Corto 2009.

2501 Migrants is about the response of Oaxacan artist Alejandro Santiago to the impact of migration on rural Mexico. Santiago, an affluent, erudite artist returns home after a brief self-exile in France.  But upon arrival to his native Teococuilco, he is struck by what he perceives as a virtual ghost town. Alejandro experiences, first hand, the reality that Oaxaca has emerged as one of Mexico's leading exporters of human labor to the United States.  Inspired by this, he decides to create a monumental installation art piece: 2,501 life-size sculptures as an homage to each individual migrant who left his village.

Alejandro’s quiet demeanor and passion for art is celebrated and captured as respectfully and beautifully as each individual sculpture. His passion and his knowledge are shared with those who have stayed behind. They’ve dedicated their lives to this installation in honor of their small Oaxacan town.

2501 Migrants:  A Journey will be shown on Friday, February 25 at 2 PM and Saturday, February 26 also at 2PM.  Both screenings will be held in the Santa Ana Theatre at the Biblioteca and will include a Question & Answer session following the film.  Tickets for each day are 80 pesos, which includes a special VIP reception with Yolanda Cruz, director and producer.  Tickets are available starting today at the Santa Ana Box Office.

Two other films are scheduled for the REEL DOCS season. The Art of the Steal will be shown on March 3 and 5. This gripping documentary portrays one of the art world’s most fascinating and controversial stories. On Roger Ebert’s list of the Ten Best Doucmentaries in 2010, The Art of the Steal chronicles the long and dramatic struggle for control of the Barnes Foundation, a private collection of art valued at more than $25 billion. Producer Lenny Feinberg will be present.

And, on March 29th and 31st Playing for Change will be shown with producer Mark Johnson presiding. This film tells the story of how the world can be changed for the better by creating peace through music. The idea for this project arose from a common belief that music has the power to break down boundaries and overcome distances between people.

More details about the REEL DOCS season can be found www.reeldocs.org.