Mexican Film Festival 

Saturday, November 13, 6-10 p.m., Active Adult Center, 11181 Colorado Boulevard

FREE ADMISSION to attend this new double-feature film night celebrating this Mexican Holiday! 

6-7:30 p.m. The Book of Life is a 2014 animated musical fantasy movie about three friends whose lives are influenced by Day of the Dead and other cultural traditions of Mexico and Latin America. Appropriate for ages 7 and up.

8-9:30 p.m. Macario is a 1960 Mexican supernatural drama film that was the first Mexican film to be nominated for an Academy Award. It is the story of a poor indigenous woodcutter in Colonial Mexico on the eve of the Day of the Dead. Appropriate for ages 13 and up.

Snacks and refreshments provided. Reserve your free seat at Arts Thornton Eventbrite or call 720-977-5880.

What is Dia de Los Muertos?

Information provided by Google Arts & Culture. 

Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a two-day celebration, particularly for people in Mexico, Central America and for Mexican-Americans in the United States. The holiday honors and commemorates the lives of the dearly departed and welcomes their spirits back to Earth from the "land of the dead".  Families create ofrendas (offerings) to honor their departed family members. These altars are decorated with bright yellow marigold flowers, photos of the departed and the favorite foods and drinks of the one being honored. The offerings are believed to encourage visits from the departed souls.  

Day of the Dead is a holiday that celebrates both death and life. It is important to remember that all cultures grieve and treat death differently. Traditions and beliefs vary from culture to culture and region to region. Dia de los Muertos is just one example of how people choose to honor their departed loved ones. 

What are the Origins of This Holiday? 

Dia de los Muertos has both indigenous and Spanish traditions. The Aztecs dedicated festivals to the goddess, Mictēcacihuātl (pronunciation: [mik.teː.ka.ˈsí.waːt͡ɬ], literally "Lady of the Dead"). It was believed she presided over festivals of the dead and watched over the bones of the dead, which the Aztecs believed were a source of life in the next world. After synthesis with Spanish traditions, festivals evolved from Aztec traditions into what we now know as the modern Day of the Dead celebration.