The third annual Los Cabos Film Festival

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Los Cabos Film Festival: Day 2, November 13, 2014

Xavier Dolan, Denys Arcand, Maya Zapata, D.J. Cotrona,  Hugo Stiglitz, Sophie Alexander-Katz Tenoch Huerta,Guillermo Arriaga, Marimar Vega, and Eiza Gonzalez walked the red carpet at the Cultural Pavilion on the second day of the Los Cabos Film Festival.

Yesterday, November 13, the Los Cabos Film Festival’s second gala was held, and the film Mommy—winner of the Jury Prize at Cannes—made its Latina American premiere. The 2014 Canadian drama Mommy was directed by Xavier Dolan, and it will represent Canada in the foreign film category for the 2015 Oscars race.

 

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Celebrities, Industry Leaders Turn Out in Force for Third Annual Los Cabos Film Festival

The third annual Los Cabos Film Festival—previously known as the Baja International Film Festival—kicked off Wednesday, November 12, with red carpet arrivals at the cultural pavilion in downtown Cabo San Lucas. International celebrities, including several well-known Mexican actors, were joined by dignitaries like Alberto Treviño, business leaders like Gian Marco Vela (owner of the Sunset da Mona Lisa) and Sun Rider Tours Yolanda Cortez, as well as festival director Alonso Aguilar.

Diego Luna and Ruben Reachi were among those in attendance for the official kick-off event, which included a tribute to Gabriel Figueroa. Famed film critic Roger Ebert was also celebrated; his widow, Chaz Ebert, accepted the honor.

 

Day of the Dead: Dia de Los Muertos

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Mexican Day Of The Dead Altar

November 2nd
The Day of the Dead, unlike Halloween, is traditional throughout México and many other parts of Latin America, with origins that date back to the pre-Columbian period. Essentially, it is a time to celebrate friends and family who have passed away. November 2 is the official date, but remembrances are observed from October 31 – November 2.

 

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Calaveras de azúcar (candies in the shape of skulls)

During this time, families will often visit the gravesites of deceased relatives, or make ofrendas, “offerings” placed on small altars in their homes to honor the departed. The altars are often adorned with food or drinks favored by the lost loved one, as well as things like candles, photos, calaveras de azúcar (candies in the shape of skulls), pan de muerto (special Day of the Dead bread ) and cempasúchil flowers (Aztec marigolds). Catrina figures, female skeletons dressed in elaborately colorful costumes, are also a common sight during Day of the Dead celebrations, as well as being big sellers in many souvenir stores.

 

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Catrina figures, female skeletons dressed in elaborately colorful costumes

Day of the Dead Catrina figurine. Photo Bigstock.com

Day of the Dead Catrina figurine. Photo Bigstock.com