Mexico Dead or Alive
53 mins
A portrait of the country of Mexico, as seen through the eyes of Mario Rojas Alba, a physician and former member of Congress, who fled to Montreal as a political refugee after surviving a brutal physical assault. During a cautious trip home, he guides us through the workings of political repression and violence in Mexico. The resulting film reveals the darker side of this vast country which became our official trading partner in 1994 under NAFTA (the North American Free Trade Agreement), an accord criticized by a great many Mexicans, especially the indigenous people of Chiapas, who rose in revolt, demanding a more just and democratic society. On the Day of the Dead, families and friends remember those who have "disappeared"; widows lay flowers on the graves of husbands slain for opposing the ruling party. By their side, Alba reaffirms his commitment to a peaceful transition toward true democracy.
François Beauchemin
Cinematography
Mario Rojas Alba
Researcher
Camille Laperrière
Editor
Marcel Fraser
Sound Recordist
Yoan Cart
Assistant Camera
Yves Beaudion
Assistant Camera
Marc Villemure
Music
Berenice Manjarrez
Production Assistant
María Fernanda Gutiérrez
Production Assistant
Guillermo Contreras Rojas
Production Assistant
Michel Dandavino
Location Manager
Victor Javier Acevedo
Production Assistant
Jean-Paul Vialard
Sound Recordist
Shelley Craig
Sound Recordist
Nathalie Miron
Assistant Sound Engineer
Juan Rojas Alba
Production Assistant
Gilles Quintal
Sound Editor
Roger Martin
Lighting Technician
Maricarmen Merino
Research Assistant
Sergio Contreras Rojas
Production Assistant
Enrique Torres Agatón
Still Photographer
Louis Hone
Music