Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead)

The Mexican character, shaped by the fusion of Christianity and indigenous religion, is perhaps epitomized in the celebration of the Day of the Dead. This fanciful film takes us to the village of Patzcuaro, where, like villages all over Mexico, on October 31 people return home from everywhere to celebrate their ancestors and communicate with their long dead loved ones. This impressionistic pilgrimage takes us to the cemetery where graves are decorated and turned into works of art, with flowers, personal objects, food, offerings and thousands upon thousands of candles. For a twenty-four hour period, we follow Death on a tongue-in-cheek guided tour through the soul of a people.

The film follows the travels and experiences of a young Purépecha artisan, her grandmother, and their family during the weeks leading up to the Days of the Dead. As these struggling craftspeople market their wares, study new techniques, and prepare for their deceased patriarch’s spiritual return, viewers will see a wide variety of folk art practices—from pottery painting to flower decoration to papier-mâché skeleton sculpture—coalesce into a momentous cultural event. 53:14 minutes

Festivals of life nourish us with ancient rituals in a fast-changing world, covering all facets of the human condition, the changing seasons, weddings, coming of age ceremonies, births and deaths, the worship of gods and the battle against evil spirits. This film showcases Mexico’s Day of the Dead celebrations that unite the living and the dead in feasting, dancing and decoration. In Oaxaca City, local artists create sand tapestries and enter an altar competition. Families gather at the public cemetery to clean the graves of loved ones and make offerings. In Etla, muerteadas, or street parades, last all night as rival bands engage in mock battles. Join a local family for a traditional lunch of chicken and mole, and learn about Aztec and Spanish religious customs that blended to form today’s Día de los Muertos festival of remembrance.

Short video from the History Channel explaining the roots of the Day of the Dead.

Mankind perpetuates traditions, passing down skills and a way of life to future generations. Whether this involves rituals or mastery of techniques, handing down customs is a way of reinforcing the identity and singularity of a group of individuals in keeping with their lifestyle and their environment. Alexandre Mostras leads us on an encounter with the last guardians of a unique heritage. In a first-person travelogue, he recounts the simple tale of a community and the importance of inter-generational transmission that plays a direct role in the survival of its culture.

Sing along with Rosita, Elmo, and Abby as Rosita remembers her loved ones by making an ofrenda, which is an offering, filled with pictures, flowers, and their favorite treats in their honor

Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a celebration of life and death. While the holiday originated in Mexico, it is celebrated all over Latin America with colorful calaveras (skulls) and calacas (skeletons). Learn how the Day of the Dead started and the traditions that make it unique.