Sunday, Aug. 6, 2017 – Saturday, Sep. 30, 2017

MEXICAN MODERNISM: THE GOLDEN AGE OF MEXICAN CINEMA

The matinee of this film is free with Museum admission!

Sunday, Aug 6: 2 p.m.
Saturday, Aug 19: 7 p.m.
Saturday, Sep 30: 2 p.m.

Roberto Gavaldón created a surreal fantasy with this much-praised genre classic. Impoverished laborer Macario (Ignacio López Tarso) starves to be able to provide for his family, but dreams about eating a whole turkey on his own. One day, his dream seems to be coming true; his wife steals a turkey and Macario is excited to eat it by himself. When hungry God and the Devil ask for a piece of meat, he refuses. Macario only shares his meal with Death. Saving the starving Grim Reaper results in unexpected consequences.

The story is an adaptation of Ben Traven’s short story, based on a Brothers Grimm fairy tale. With his penchant for tragic heroes, director Gavaldón invents a fantastic vision in order to place his protagonist in a perilous situation. Cinematographer Gabriel Figueroa’s black and white photography constructs a surreal atmosphere, while at the same time reflecting the rural realism of Mexico. Macario earned the first Academy Award nomination for a Mexican film in the foreign language film category and became a celebrated classic of Mexican cinema.

► Parking update: A new underground parking garage, located at 5101 Montrose, is now open. Learn more about changes to visitor parking and plan ahead for your visit.