10 · 31 · 20

499 by Rodrigo Reyes, was presented at the 18th FICM

Gustavo R. Gallardo

499 (2020) by Rodrigo Reyes, was presented at the 18th edition of the Morelia International Film Festival (FICM).

In 2021, five centuries after the Spanish conquest, the ghost of a conqueror repeats the route that Hernán Cortés from Veracruz followed to Mexico City, hearing testimonies from people who were affected by the violence perpetuated since colonial times.

"I think that it is super uncomfortable when you present a ghost that's so important to the Mexican identity. What is this conqueror doing there, listening to the family of a murdered journalist? A mother looking for her missing son? This act of listening is very transgressive," said the director.

Regarding the issues addressed in the film, the producer Inti Cordero commented that it would be very difficult to avoid current problems in the country, such as disappearances and femicide, "so we had to do it very delicately, but the result is there, you sink into the armchair and that is also a message of the responsibility and commitment that those of us who make documentaries have, and that presenting this reality has to hurt us."

In addition to this film, which is part of the official Mexican Feature Film section of FICM's 18th edition, Rodrigo Reyes has presented the feature films Purgatorio (2013) and Lupe bajo el sol (2016) at the festival.

499 will be available for free and for 24 hours at Cinépolis KLIC starting October 31 at 1:30 p.m.