10 · 10 · 08

The Sixth FICM comes to a close

Clara Sánchez/Translated by Tess Wheelwright

[imagen]The sixth Morelia International Film Festival came to a close today with a ceremony led by the actress Vanessa Bauche in the Teatro Ocampo.

Municipal President of Morelia Fausto Vallejo offered the following message: “We the people of the city of Morelia had opportunity to enjoy a plural world. Through film, we had a chance to reflect on social problems like emigration as well as indulge in leisure hours hard to come by in any other context. We’re pleased visitors were able to enjoy the cultural offerings amidst calm and order; our residents are proof of the warmth national and international visitors can expect in Morelia, home to a million good people. Congratulations to you all; see you next year; this is a great city in a great country.”

Governor Leonel Godoy, besides expressing his pleasure at being among the film community and congratulating festival organizers Alejandro Ramírez, president of FICM, Daniela Michel, director, Cuauhtémoc Cárdenas, vice president, as well the “great body of talent we had here in Morelia,” added enthusiastically: “We were honored, distinguished and delighted by the presentation. Those of the film world showed us this week that imagination and creativity can make dreams come true and help work for a better future. We of Michoacán are proud of this sixth festival, so important for our state. All we can say is we’re very grateful, and we’ll never fail to bet on culture as a means to improve reality. Congratulations and we’ll be looking forward to festival number seven, in the name of Michoacán and all Mexican cinema.

Next came the awards ceremony, with names read by members of the jury. Nouredine Essadi, cultural attaché to the French embassy in Mexico, presented selections for Michoacán Screenplay; filmmaker Alex Rivera read winners in Mexican Documentary; Peter Brunette, film critic and contributor to the Hollywood Reporter, read selections in Mexican Short Film; and Christian Mungiu, winner of a ‘Palma de Oro’ at Cannes, read winners in the field of Mexican Feature Film.

Daniela Michel thanked the filmmakers for “creating their works,” and the public as well as the jury for “doing a great job of which we can all feel proud.”

Cuauhtémoc Cárdenas Batel added: “Thanks to all who live here, for allowing us to raise our voices. The streets will always be ours. As Neruda said – yes, Neruda, again – they can cut all the flowers but they can’t stop Spring.”

Alejandro Ramírez wrapped up the closing ceremony with these words: “Together we are greater than our problems. Thanks to all whose contribution made this year’s festival not only possible but a great success. Thanks for not allowing this great festival to stop running – but rather to shine more brilliantly than ever. Thanks and see you for the seventh round next year.”

Ramírez invited attendants to watch the closing film, Paraíso Travel (Travel Paradise) by Simón Brand, at the Cinépolis Morelia Centro theater.