Canoa: A Shameful Memory , 1976

Week 7: May 19-21

DCP

Dir. Felipe Cazals (1976); Mexico, 116 min

Programmed by: Sam Chavez-Perez

This is an old story. Perhaps 500 years old. Perhaps older. The 1960s to 1980s in Mexico are known as the time of La Guerra Sucia (The Dirty War) during which the Mexican state with the backing of the C.I.A. and U.S. government waged war on student radicals, communists, and leftists who brought their dreams for social revolution to the streets. In 1968, widespread protests erupted in response to Mexico holding the Olympics when much of the country suffered from poverty, hunger, social immobility, and political repression. The film takes place during this year, depicting 5 university workers who traveled to the town, San Miguel Canoa, to climb the nearby mountain, La Malinche, for leisure. They are lynched by the townspeople, incited by the anti-communist rhetoric of the local priest. The Massacre of San Miguel Canoa took place three weeks before the Tlatelolco Massacre where the Mexican Armed Forces opened fire on civilian protesters in La Plaza de Las Tres Culturas, killing 350-400 and injuring over 1,000 people. The next day, their blood was scrubbed off the plaza floors and their corpses were disposed of, and, two weeks later, the 1968 Summer Olympics were held in Mexico City. Canoa: A Shameful Memory explores the harrowing socio-political climate that made mass murder – a mortal sin – appear sanctioned by God and the onslaught of liberal progress.

Friday, May 19 at 6:00 PM & 8:30 PM
Saturday, May 20 at 6:00 PM & 8:30 PM
Sunday, May 21 at 3:00 PM