Mexican Horror films

La Llorona / The Crying Woman

There are many versions of this popular legend. The basic version is that a beautiful woman killed her children in order to be with the man that she loved, but he rejected her.

She drowned then children, and then after being rejected, killed herself. The legend is that she wanders the countryside, searching for her children, always weeping. She is said to sometimes kidnap children.

It is also believed that whoever hears La Llorona cry is marked for death.

Within Mexican society, she is seen as the archetype of an evil woman who has rejected motherhood for sensual pleasures, and is doomed to eternal suffering.

There have been a number of film versions of La Llorona

A new version was released recently:

http://www.lallorona.com/trailer.html

Another version features Abel Salazar, my favorite Mexican actor!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUBQzKEv10

Well, other than this guy!

Tonights version will be a bit different:

Mexican animation

http://www.animaestudios.com

Tonights film features some of the same characters as an earlier (2007) film La leyenda de la Nahuala.
Leo San Juan is a 9 year old boy living in the city of Puebla, Nueva Espaa, in 1807 (before independence). His older brother Nando tells him ghost stories and legends and hes a nervous wreck, especially when one of them comes true.

He is aided by: Don Andrs Jos Mara Graciano de Majara y Perceles, a Spaniard dressed in the armor typical of the conquistadores

Gracianoa type of grape used in red wines in Spain Majaracrazy Perceles?

Also on hand is Alebrije, a talking dragon.

Alebrijes are brightly colored folk art sculptures of fantastical creatures.

Padre Tello A Franciscan friar in Nueva Espaa in the mid-1500s.

YoltznLittle Heart

OllinMovement; a day symbol in the Aztec calendar, meaning Purified Heart

Tonatiuhsun god

Sugar skulls M-moribundo (dying) F--?? funebre? (gloomy)

Sugar skulls represented a departed soul, had the name written on the forehead and was placed on the home ofrenda or gravestone to honor the return of a particular spirit. Sugar skull art reflects the folk art style of big happy smiles, colorful icing and sparkly tin and glittery adornments.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ap5AXNjn DEE

Isla de las muecasIsland of the Dolls

Over fifty years ago, Don Julian Santana left his wife and child and moved onto an island on Teshuilo Lake in the Xochimilco canals. According to some, a young girl actually drowned in the lake, while most others, including his relatives, say Don Julian Santana merely imagined the drowned girl. Regardless, Don Julian Santana devoted his life to honoring this lost soul in a unique, fascinating, andfor some unnerving way: he collected and hung up dolls by the hundreds. In 2001 Don Julian Santana was found drowned in the same area in which he believed the little girl had died.

Scavanger hunt / Bsqueda de tesoro

Keep track of what you see and/or hear from the various categories. Keep in mind what you might have to explain to friends or family unfamiliar with Mexican culture who might watch this movie.

http://www.scribd.com/doc/113806778/Scaven ger-Hunt-Busqueda-de-Tesoro#fullscreen

Discussionthe results

For next week

http://www.scribd.com/doc/113805670/Readin gs-for-Canoa#fullscreen

http://www.scribd.com/doc/113805679/Lectur as-Para-Canoa#fullscreen