Mexico Dead or Alive

Overview

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.

Directed by Mary Ellen Davis

Top cast

A

Antonia Neri Juárez

M

Modesta Ortega Ramírez

A

Amelia Ramírez

C

Cirina Ramírez

N

Norberto Ramírez Calzado

M

Marina Rodríguez

A

Alicia Alarcón

C

Cecilia Castillo

M

María Dávila

Y

Yuri Serbolov

A

Antolín Escobar

J

Jorge Montúfar Araujo

M

Marcos Manuel Suárez

C

Carlos Peredo Merio

T

Tomas Flores Allende

F

Félix Salgado Macedonio

Heberto Castillo

I

Irma Serrano C. Domínguez

E

Emili García Jiménez

C

Crisóforo Galán Álvarez

Details