Wednesday, July 25, 2007

This Just In: New DVD Releases

Cinema, Aspirins and Vultures (Cinema, Aspirinas e Urubus), 2005, Mexico
To distance himself from Adolf Hitler and a war he philosophically opposes, a young German (Peter Ketnath) moves halfway around the world to Brazil, where he meets a hitchhiker (João Miguel) with his own motivations to keep moving. Together, they drive across the country making pit stops in various villages to sell the locals a "miracle" drug. Marcelo Gomes directs this multilingual Cannes Film Festival selection.

Django, 1966, Directed by Sergio Corbucci, Mexico/Italy
In a lawless frontier, a master gunman carries a dark secret -- and a coffin filled with chaos. Franco Nero stars as Django, a mysterious stranger caught up in the violent crossfire between Mexican bandits and sadistic vigilantes. This landmark classic is packed with indelible images and some of the most shocking brutality of any Spaghetti Western ever made. Fully restored from original camera negatives.

Morisma, 2006, directed by Edin Alain Martinez, Mexico
Throughout the Mexican states of Zacatecas and Jalisco, the Moors continue to hold traditional and religious celebrations that date back to medieval times; this documentary explores the rich history of these largely unknown Franciscan rituals. Following Moorish leader Hilario Espinosa, the film reveals a spiritual heritage that remains cherished and vital. The presentation also includes two documentary shorts, "Bracho" and "Burrito de Agua-Miel."

Sangre Costena (Coastal Blood ), 2002, directed by Amado Portillo Ortega, Mexico
Obsession and forbidden love spark a series of tragic events in the story of Isabel, a beautiful woman whose passionate nature tempts those who meet her. Having traveled from her small hometown to Mexico City, Isabel finds work as a maid for a powerful politician who soon becomes obsessed with her. The attraction is mutual, and Isabel surrenders herself to an illicit affair that leads to dangerous consequences.

The Guerrilla and the Hope: Lucio Cabanas (La Guerrilla y la esperanza: Lucio Cabañas), 2005 directed by Gerardo Tort, Mexico
Director Gerardo Tort's compelling documentary explores the life of Lucio Cabanas, a guerrilla leader who headed one of the most significant peasant revolts in Mexican history and became a figure of inspiration for the poor of southern Mexico. Revealing interviews from companions, family members, former guerrilla fighters and historians make obvious that Cabanas's story of courage and hope continues to live on.