Mexican cinema continues to generate world-wide enthusiasm, and now we will be able to bring even more of it to the Tucson community! Cinema Tucsón will present films through an exciting format—monthly screenings (with some exceptions) throughout the year at the Fox Tucson Theatre, a new dedicated home for Mexican cinema. We will provide a mix of classic films, B movies, and new cinema with exceptional filmmakers and special guests from Mexico for dialogue with our audiences. And because there is plenty of seating in the historic Fox Tucson Theatre, you will not have to worry about getting a seat! We look forward to seeing you!

Presented by Cinema Tropical and the UA Center for Latin American Studies, in partnership with the Consulate General of Mexico in Tucson and the Fox Tucson Theatre.

Sponsored by Rio Nuevo, La Estrella Bakery, the Louis Carlos Bernal Gallery, the UA Spanish & Portuguese Department. the UA Southwestern Center, the Downtown Tucson Partnership and HSL Properties.

Additional support by Film Tucson, Visit Tucson, Borderlands Brewery, Godat Design and The Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block.

All screenings (except as noted) at:
Fox Tucson Theatre
17 W. Congress St., Tucson, AZ
(520) 547-3040 / www.foxtucson.com

General Admission: $10 (except as noted)
For tickets and more information visit:
www.cinematucson.com

2024 - 2025 Season

Upcoming Screenings:

**CORINA**
(Úrzula Barba Hopfner, Mexico, 2024, 96 min. In Spanish with English subtitles)
Starring Naian González Norvind, Cristo Fernández, Ariana Candela, Carolina Politi)
*Q&A with director*
Set in her hometown of Guadalajara during the early aughts, the auspicious and quirky debut by Úrzula Barba Hopfner tells the story of Corina, a a young woman who has rarely left her home for the past 20 years except to work at a local publishing house. She finds herself in crisis after making a grave mistake in the final installment of the company’s most famous book saga. To save her job—and the company itself—she must face her fears and, with Carlos’s help, set off on a journey to track down a mysterious writer. Starring the charming Naian González Norvind (*New Order*) in the title role and Cristo Fernández (*Ted Lasso*) in a supporting role, *Corina* is an uplifting and endearing fable, reminiscent of *Amélie*, about stepping beyond one’s comfort zone to embrace the unknown.
**Wednesday, March 26, 7pm**

**THE IN BETWEEN / EL ENTREMEDIO**
A film by Robie Flores
(Mexico, 2024, 96 min. In Spanish with English subtitles)
*Q&A with director Robie Flores*Wednesday, April 23, 7pm
Following the death of her brother, director Robie Flores returns to her hometown of Eagle Pass, on the Texas-Mexico border, yearning to turn back time. Immersed in the unruly experiences of adolescence—quinceañeras, Selena, Rio Grande river excursions, teen makeovers, and more—she rediscovers the home her brother adored and she once overlooked. What emerges is a playful dance between personal and collective coming-of-age, as she reclaims joy in the aftermath of grief. Through her family’s journey, Flores unveils a nuanced and unexpected portrait of the borderlands—one that transcends headlines to offer a deeply human perspective. In celebrating the resilience and spirit of this bi-cultural, bi-national community, the film reveals a place not defined by crisis, but by the vibrancy of those who call it home.
**Wednesday, April 23, 7pm**

Past Screenings:

**SUJO**
(Astrid Rondero and Fernanda Valadez, Mexico/France, 2024, 125 min. In Spanish with English subtitles)
Winner of the World Cinema Dramatic Grand Jury Prize at Sundance and selected as Mexico’s official entry for the Academy Awards, the latest film from Astrid Rondero and Fernanda Valadez (Identifying Features) follows the chilling journey of a young boy named Sujo. Orphaned at the age of four after the murder of his father—a cartel gunman from a small Mexican town—he narrowly escapes death with the help of his aunt, who raises him in isolation amidst poverty, hardship, and the ever-present danger tied to his identity. As he reaches his teenage years, rebellion stirs within him, and he follows a grim rite of passage by joining the local cartel. As a young man, he strives to break free from the cycle of violence in his hometown and start anew in Mexico City. However, the shadow of his father’s legacy looms once again, forcing him to confront what seems to be his inescapable destiny.
**Wednesday, February 19, 7pm**

**QUITE LIKE PARADISE**
(*Casi el paraíso*, Edgar San Juán, Mexico/Italy, 2024, 113 min. In Spanish, Italian, and English with English subtitles)
*Quite Like Paradise* is a dark satirical comedy about the art of deception. The story follows Ugo Conti, a charming young man who pretends to be a striking European aristocrat to lead a life of luxury. Arriving in Mexico City, Ugo quickly captivates the country’s high society. Reuniting with his former love, Frida Becker, he becomes entangled in a dangerous political power struggle. But when he falls from grace, the same society that once adored him turns against him with equal fervor. Shot in breathtaking locations across Italy and Mexico, and based on Luis Spota’s novel of the same name, this poignant debut feature by writer-producer Edgar San Juan offers a sharp critique of politics, class aspirations, and the influence of social media, bolstered by strong performances and stunning locations.
**Wednesday, January 22, 7pm**

**LA COCINA**
(Alonso Ruizpalacios, Mexico/USA, 2024, 139 min. In English and Spanish with English subtitles)
The latest film by acclaimed Mexican director Alonso Ruizpalacios (*Güeros*, *A Cop Movie*) stars Oscar-nominated Rooney Mara and Ariel Award-winner Raúl Briones and is set in the heart of a bustling Times Square kitchen, where dreams and desperation collide as the back-of-house staff each chase the elusive American dream. When money goes missing from the till, the spotlight falls on Pedro, a passionate dreamer entangled in a tumultuous love affair with Julia, a waitress grappling with her own commitments. As tensions rise and shocking revelations unfold, the relentless pace of the kitchen threatens to shatter the hopes and aspirations of those who keep it running. It's a high-stakes drama that explores the intersection of the personal ambition and systemic exploitation of undocumented immigrant workers within the pressure-cooker environment of a New York restaurant.
**Wednesday, November 20, 7pm**

**THE FAMILY / CARAS VEMOS**
(Beto Gómez, Mexico, 2024, 103 min. In Spanish with English subtitles)
*Q&A with director Beto Gómez*
The latest film by director Beto Gómez (*Private Pérez*, *Flying Low*) is a delightful comedy that follows an unconventional family caught in a peculiar body-swap after a mystical encounter with an ancient god. As a result, each family member finds themselves in someone else’s body: Laura, the mother, becomes a teenager obsessed with her phone and boyfriend; Luis, the father, is trapped in the body of his son, Dante; and the younger daughter takes over her father’s body. Meanwhile, in the body of Mariana, the teenage daughter, is her lethargic brother, and little Zoe becomes the wise mother. With a fantastic cast featuring Bruno Bichir, Mariana Treviño, Blanca Guerra, and Luis de La Rosa, the film balances comedic and heartfelt moments as the characters learn to appreciate and understand each other’s differences, realizing that love and family unity are what matter most.
**Wednesday, October 23, 7pm**

**TAKE ME IN YOUR ARMS / LLÉVAME EN TUS BRAZOS**
(Julio Bracho, Mexico, 1954, 91 min. In Spanish with English subtitles)
The incomparable Cuban-born star Ninón Sevilla (*Aventurera*, *Victims of Sin*) shines in the boldly crafted and tumultuous musical melodrama *Take Me in Your Arms* as Rita, a young woman from a small coastal village in Veracruz and the daughter of a poor fisherman. To pay off her father's debts, she leaves her town and is exploited by several men, including a married politician who turns her into a famous dancing star—all while relentlessly seeking to reunite with her true love. Beautifully lensed by renowned cinematographer Gabriel Figueroa, director and co-writer Julio Bracho's expansive melodrama about class struggle and erotic tension features some wonderful song-and-dance sequences from Sevilla, who also produced the film, uncredited, alongside brothers Guillermo and Pedro Calderón. Sevilla's screen magnetism guides the audience through the film, culminating in a deeply satisfying finale.
**Wednesday, September 25, 7pm**

2023 — 2024 Season

**DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE / FIESTA EN LA MADRIGUERA**
A film by Manolo Caro
(Mexico, 2024, 102 min. In Spanish with English subtitles)
Immersed in opulence and culture, ten-year-old Tochtli revels in his eccentricities, from his love of hats and dictionaries to his fascination with samurais, guillotines, and all things French. Despite his lavish lifestyle, darkness looms over him due to his father's criminal pursuits. Based on the novel by Mexican author Juan Pablo Villalobos and adapted by Academy Award winner Nicolás Giacobone (*Birdman*), *Down the Rabbit Hole* delves into the dichotomy of privilege and peril. Directed by acclaimed Mexican writer-filmmaker Manolo Caro (known for *Tales of an Immoral Couple, Perfect Strangers*, and the popular series *The House of Flowers*), this satirical dramedy offers a compelling exploration of innocence and corruption within a realm of extravagance.
**Wednesday, May 22, 7pm**

**THE ECHO / EL ECO**
A film by Tatiana Huezo
(Mexico/Germany, 2023, 102 min. In Spanish with English subtitles)
Winner of the Best Documentary Award at the Berlin, Chicago and Morelia film festivals, the most recent work by Mexican-Salvadoran Tatiana Huezo (*Prayers for the Stolen*) is an epic, intimate, and lyrical portrayal of life set in a small rural mountain village. Teenagers take care of their sheep and their elders, and while the frost and drought punish the land, they learn to understand death, illness, and love with every single act.
**Wednesday, April 27, 7pm**

**VICTIMS OF SIN / VÍCTIMAS DEL PECADO**
A film by Emilio Fernández
(Mexico, 1951, 84 min. In Spanish with English subtitles)
Rarely screened in the United States and long due for rediscovery, *Victims of Sin* is famed Mexican director Emilio Fernández’s unique blend of film noir, melodrama, and musical. Cuban-born acting-dancing sensation Ninón Sevilla plays Violeta, a cabaret performer who adopts the abandoned child of Rita (Rita Montaner) and Rodolfo (Rodolfo Acosta), her murderous pimp. Motherhood forces Violeta to give up her career, but the kindhearted club owner Santiago (Tito Junco) saves her from a life of poverty and prostitution—until Rodolfo, freed from prison, seeks to reclaim his son. Best known for the award-winning *María Calendaria* (1944) and *The Pearl* (1947), Fernández infuses *Victims* with impassioned songs and performances by Sevilla, an icon of Mexican cinema and a purveyor of African, Caribbean, and Cuban dance styles.
Victims of Sin was fully restored in 4K from the original 35mm nitrate camera negative, which had been damaged from mishandling over the decades, by Peter Conheim (Cinema Preservation Alliance/USA) and Viviana Garcia-Besné (Permanencia Voluntaria/Mexico). Permanencia Voluntaria and Cinema Preservation Alliance co-produced the preservation effort with further assistance from IMCINE and the Academy Film Archive, bringing Victims of Sin back to the screen with a clarity and depth not seen since its original release.
**Wednesday, March 27, 7pm**

**LATIDO / HEARTBEAT**
A film by Katina Medina Mora
(Mexico, 2023, 93 min. In Spanish with English subtitles. En español con subtítulos en inglés)
*Q&A with director
From Katina Medina Mora, director of *LuTo* (2013), You Will Know What to Do with Me (2015), and the popular Netflix series *Emily in Paris*, *Latido* stars Oscar-nominated actress Marina de Tavira (*Roma*) as Leonor, a 45-year-old woman who has struggled to conceive, and Emilia, a 16-year-old ballet dancer with a promising career, face unexpected pregnancy news. In an unlikely arrangement, the two women come together to share the pregnancy journey. As they navigate the ups and downs of pregnancy, they develop an unexpected bond and find strength in each other.
**Wednesday, February 28, 7pm**

**TÓTEM**
A film by Lila Avilés
(Mexico/Denmark/France, 2023, 95 min. In Spanish with English subtitles)
In a bustling Mexican household, seven-year-old Sol is swept up in a whirlwind of preparations for the birthday party for her father, Tona, led by her mother, aunts, and other relatives. As the day goes on, building to an event both anticipated and dreaded, Sol begins to understand the gravity of the celebration this year and watches as her family does the same.
This poignant and emotionally expansive film from Lila Aviles (*The Chambermaid*) cements her skill at directing dynamic, ensemble performances in her stunning sophomore effort. Acclaimed at numerous film festivals including Berlin, Telluride, San Sebastian, and BFI London, Tótem is Mexico’s official Academy Awards submission and received a Gotham Award nomination nominated for Best International Feature.
**Wednesday, January 24, 7pm**

**HURRICANE SEASON**
A film by Elisa Miller
(Mexico, 2023, 99 min. In Spanish with English subtitles)
Hurricane season is coming on strong. Four souls in search of redemption confront the relentless storm of their destiny in a world filled with violence instead of love. From Elisa Miller (who won the Palme d’Or at Cannes for best short film) and based on the brilliant and intense novel by Fernanda Melchor, *Hurricane Season* is a powerful and stunning film, with an impressive ensemble cast and impeccable cinematography by María Secco.
**Wednesday, November 29, 7pm**

**RADICAL**
(Christopher Zalla, USA/Mexico, 2023, 127 min. In Spanish with English subtitles)
*Q&A with director*
In a Mexican border town plagued by neglect, corruption, and violence, a frustrated teacher tries a radical new method to break through his students’ apathy and unlock their curiosity, their potential… and maybe even their genius. Based on a true story and winner of the Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival, *Radical* is an uplifting and heartfelt tale starring popular Mexican actor Eugenio Derbez in an unforgettable performance.
**Wednesday, October 11, 7pm**

**CASSANDRO**
A film by Roger Ross Williams
(USA/Mexico, 2023, 99 min. In English and Spanish with English subtitles)
*Free sneak preview!*
Based on a true story, *Cassandro* stars renowned Mexican actor Gael García Bernal as Saúl Armendáriz, a gay amateur wrestler from El Paso, rises to international stardom after he creates the character Cassandro, the “Liberace of Lucha Libre.” In the process, he upends not just the macho wrestling world, but also his own life. A hit at the Sundance Film Festival, the film is directed by Academy Award winner Roger Ross Williams and features special appearances by El Hijo del Santo and Bad Bunny.
**Wednesday, September 13, 7pm**

2022 — 2023 Season

**HOME IS SOMEWHERE ELSE**
A film by Carlos Hagerman and Jorge Villalobos Medina Mora
(USA/Mexico, 2022, 88 min. In English and Spanish with English subtitles)
*Home Is Somewhere Else* is a fascinating animated feature documentary providing a window into the hearts and minds of immigrant youth and their undocumented families. The film features three personal stories about immigrant youth to highlight the complexities and challenges they face today. Voiced by the actual children and their families, the stories are woven together by spoken word poet Lalo “El Deportee”, the film’s host and MC whose vibrant “Spanglish” breaks codes, switches standards, and pushes the viewer to decipher his poems. Each story has its own unique visual animation style drawn by three different teams. The animation allows us to truly see and feel these characters’ worst nightmares, alongside their colorful hopes and dreams for a better future.
**Wednesday, May 24, 7pm**

**DOS ESTACIONES**
A film by Juan Pablo González
(Mexico, 2022, 97 min. In Spanish with English subtitles)
Presented as part of the Agave Heritage Festival
Director Juan Pablo González offers a welcome twist to the traditional films set in the idyllic haciendas of yesteryear’s Mexican cinema to tell the story of María García, an iron-willed businesswoman who fights the impending collapse of her tequila factory in an increasingly globalized industry. Set in the Jalisco highlands and anchored by a brilliant performance by Teresa Sánchez—winner of a Special Jury Prize for Acting at Sundance—*Dos Estaciones* is a love letter to the director’s homeland, as well as a potent tale of resilience.
**Thursday, April 27, 7pm at the Congress Hotel**

**MARTÍNEZ**
A film by Lorena Padilla
(Mexico, 2023, 93 min. In Spanish with English subtitles)
Set in Guadalajara and starring Chilean actor Francisco Reyes (protagonist of the acclaimed Academy Award-winning film *A Fantastic Woman*), the debut feature by writer-director Lorena Padilla tells the story of Martínez, a lonely and grumpy old man who leads a monotonous life working as an accountant. One day, he is forced to face the fact that he is about to retire when Pablo, the guy that is going to replace him, starts working next to him. While his stability is suddenly threatened, his neighbor, a woman around his age, is found dead in her home after several days. Although he never met her, little by little Martínez uncovers details about the woman, a process that positively impacts his behavior, prompting his co-worker to think he has a new girlfriend. Facing a personal crisis, his neighbor’s death ultimately makes Martínez realize that his life is still ahead of him.
**Wednesday, April 19, 7pm**

**LA USURPADORA, THE MUSICAL / LA USURPADORA, EL MUSICAL**
A film by Santiago Limón
(USA/Mexico, 2023, In Spanish with English Subtitles)
*La Usurpadora, The Musical* is a musical comedy set in Mexico and the United States told with hits from the Latin music of the nineties. The film stars *Isabella Castillo*, (*El Señor de los Cielos, Malverde: El Santo Patrón*) who plays Valeria and Victoria, twin sisters who couldn't be more different, and *Alan Estrada* *(¿Conoces a Tomás?*, *Día de Muertos*), who plays the male lead and romantic interest, Carlos Daniel. It’s a tale of two identical twins separated at birth and unknown to each other, one poor, but truly decent, the other rich, conniving, and generally awful. A chance meeting brings them together in Las Vegas and soon their lives are hopelessly intertwined.
**Wednesday, March 22, 7pm**

**USERS**
A film by Natalia Almada
(USA/Mexico, 2022, 88 min. In English and Spanish with English subtitles)
*Q&A with director
The most recent film by acclaimed director Natalia Almada (*El General*), winner of the Documentary Director Award at the Sundance Film Festival, is a poignant and critical essay on technology and its effects on our everyday lives. The film begins with a mother’s question–will my children love the perfect machines more than they love me, their imperfect mother? She pushes the button, and a smart crib lulls her crying baby to sleep, flawlessly every time. This question guides her inquiry into the intimate relationship we have with technology that is increasingly driving all aspects of our society. With impeccable cinematography and a score performed by Grammy-winning Kronos Quartet, *Users* explores the unintended and often dehumanizing consequences of our society's embedded belief that technological progress will lead to the betterment of humanity.
**Wednesday, February 22, 7pm**

**LOVE & MATHEMATICS / AMOR Y MATEMÁTICAS**
A film by Claudia Sainte-Luce
(Mexico, 2022, 85 min. In Spanish with English subtitles)
Starring Roberto Quijano, Diana Bovio, and Daniela Salinas, the fifth feature film from director Claudia Sainte-Luce (*The Amazing Catfish*) is a satirical and engaging comedy about the ambitions and aspirations of upper-middle-class Mexican society. Set in the northern Mexican city of Monterrey, *Love & Mathematics* tells the story of Billy Lozano, who after teenage fame as part of a popular boy band, has found himself in his late thirties, and unhappily married. Billy’s suburban routine consists of taking care of his infant son and loathing his wife’s poorly behaved lap dog. His life changes when he meets Monica, a former mega-fan of the band, who moves into the house next door and inspires him to pick up the guitar again and find something worth living for.
**Wednesday, January 25, 7pm**

**MIJA**
A film by Isabel Castro
(Isabel Castro, USA/Mexico, 2022, 88 min. In English and Spanish with English subtitles)
*Mija* is an immensely emotional and intimate portrait honoring the resilience of immigrants and their children. Director Isabel Castro’s debut feature constructs an ethereal love letter to their indomitable spirit in the face of constant instability, and heartily affirms that all humans have the right to shine and to dream. The film tells the story of Doris Muñoz, a young, ambitious music manager whose undocumented family depends on her ability to launch pop stars. When she loses her biggest client, Doris hustles to discover new talent and finds Jacks, another daughter of immigrants for whom "making it" isn't just a dream: it's a necessity.
**Wednesday, November 30, 7pm**

**COMALA**
A film by Gian Cassini
(Mexico, 2021, 98 min. In Spanish and English with English subtitles)
In his acclaimed debut feature, named after the town where Juan Rulfo’s landmark 1955 novel *Pedro Páramo* takes place, director Gian Cassini sets out to uncover the truths of his own broken family, while picking up the pieces of his absent father’s story as a failed hitman murdered in a Mexican border town. As he traverses the country in search of clues, the filmmaker uncovers a network of men stuck within deeply rooted patterns of machismo and offers unprecedented access into the personal ramifications of Mexico’s war on drugs.
**Thursday, October 27, 7pm**

**HUESERA**
A film by Michelle Garza Cervera
(Mexico/Peru, 2022, 93 min. In Spanish with English subtitles)
*Q&A with director*
Winner of the Best New Narrative Director and Nora Ephron awards at the Tribeca Film Festival, the supernatural horror film *Huesera* tells the story of Valeria (Natalia Solián in a breakthrough performance), whose joy at becoming pregnant with her first child is quickly taken away when she's cursed by a sinister entity. As danger closes in and relationships with her family become fractured, she's forced deeper into a chilling world of dark magic that threatens to consume her. A group of witches emerge that could be her only hope for safety and salvation, but not without grave risk. With a mostly female cast and crew, the remarkable debut feature by director Michelle Garza Cervera, uses Mexican folklore to tell a terrifying and unexpected story about motherhood.
**Wednesday, September 21, 7:30pm**

2021 — 2022 Season

Cinema Tropical's programs are made possible with the support of the New York State Council on the Arts.
They are also supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs
in partnership with the City Council, and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Cinema Tropical is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization.
All donations are tax deductible.

Cinema Tropical Inc. © 2025

Cinema Tropical's programs are made possible with the support of the New York State Council on the Arts. They are also supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairsin partnership with the City Council, and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Cinema Tropical is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization.All donations are tax deductible.

Cinema Tropical's programs are made possible with the support of the New York State Council on the Arts.
They are also supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs
in partnership with the City Council, and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Cinema Tropical is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization.
All donations are tax deductible.