The final “Movies That Matter” screenings will feature two acclaimed dramas advocating for social and political justice, along with a documentary about the impact of a beloved trailblazing comedy.
The film festival continues every Sunday and Thursday at 2 p.m. through the end of this month at the Cine+Lago Theater in Plaza Bugambilias in Ajijic.
The next film, “Io Capitano,” is a joint Italy-Belgium-France production, debuting in Mexico on Sunday, March 23. This 2024 Oscar nominee for Best International Feature Film has garnered multiple top directing and acting awards. Directed by esteemed Italian writer-director Matteo Garrone, this stunningly filmed odyssey follows two Senegalese teenagers desperate to find work in Europe. They face numerous obstacles—unexpected checkpoints, the parched Saharan desert, an oppressive North African prison, and the treacherous Mediterranean Sea. Every year, thousands of immigrants make this perilous journey, often crammed into vessels that are barely seaworthy, with many tragically drowning. This deeply empathetic film aims to shed light on the hardships Africans endure as they flee poverty and war in search of a better life.
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“Still Working 9 to 5” (Thursday, March 27) reunites Dolly Parton, Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin and Dabney Coleman from the iconic 1980 comedy “9 to 5,” along with Rita Moreno from the “9 to 5” TV series and stars from Broadway and television spin-offs. Together with feminist activists, they examine what has—and hasn’t—changed for office workers since the 1970s. The hilarious “9 to 5” fantasy of outwitting their autocratic, sexist boss inspired revolutionary action across the U.S. and empowered many women to stand up for their rights. But how far have we come since then?
The final film, “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” (Sunday, March 30), takes viewers back to the 1930s in this iconic political satire, showcasing a “David vs. Goliath” battle on the big screen! When a young idealist (Jimmy Stewart) is appointed to the U.S. Senate, he is mentored by a senior Senator who, despite his noble reputation, is corrupt. As Smith tries to build a boys’ camp in a spot coveted by commercial interests, he becomes a target. Determined to represent the people, Smith takes a stand against his corrupt peers on the Senate floor. Directed by Frank Capra, one of his most famous films, “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” was nominated for 11 Oscars and won Best Original Story.
This annual Film Festival helps raise funds for the Lake Chapala Chapter of Democrats Abroad, which provides non-partisan U.S. voting assistance at Lakeside. For more information on how to purchase tickets, please refer to the “Movies That Matter” ad on page 14 of this issue of the Guadalajara Reporter.