08 · 15 · 12

London MexFest: film, music, art and "lucha libre"

In a Newsletter published by the Embassy of Mexico in the United Kingdom, London MexFest is described as a three day “fiesta”, worthy of the increasing international appreciation for contemporary Mexican culture. Mexican cinema plays a main role in the celebration, you can read more about the films that will be showing during London MexFest: here. However, the festival’s cinematographic offer is accompanied by a series of parallel activities.

The event includes the first ever London Lucha Libre exhibition by Mexican photographer Lourdes Grobet. She has had more than a hundred one-woman shows and collective exhibitions in Mexico and other countries. Grobet is much influenced by Polish sculptor Mathias Goeritz, by Mexican artist Aceves Navarro, and by El Santo; one of the most important Mexican wrestlers with whom she worked as a still photographer on many films.

London MexFest will host the first ever projection onto the Rich Mix facade by artist Tupac Martir, titled The Gentleman, The Mermaid, Mexican Cinema, Lottery! Martir has provided production design, visuals and lighting direction for Elton John, Sting, Jon Bon Jovi, Beyoncé, Coachella Music & Arts Festival and the Mexican Telethon, among others. He has also become renowned within the fashion industry, having worked on shows for designers like Alexander McQueen, Stella McCartney and Vivienne Westwood.

In addition, Mexican instrumental band Austin TV is composing two songs which will be available for audiences to download and listen to through headphones as they view the projection. London MexFests musical offer also includes a live concert from Amandititita, the Mexican “queen of Anarcumbia”, with DJ Chilango opening the show.

The Sensory Photographic Studio will take place during the festival, offering new audiences sensory experiences that integrate visually impaired and young people from marginalized groups with the general public. Organized by Ojos que Sienten A.C (Sight of Emotion), the Sensory Photographic Studio will challenge the public's social and spatial perceptions.

In an effort to enrich the film programming presented during London MexFest, a series of panels and roundtables will be organized to discuss the present and future of the film industry. The speakers will be Mara Fortes (FICM), Elena Fortes and Eva Parenteau (Ambulante Gira de Documentales), Julián Levín and Cristina Garza (Canana), Everardo González, Viviana García Besné, Michel Franco, Darìo Bernal, Jorge Michel Grau and Duncan Bridgeman. Also, Lynn Fainchtein and Amandititita will conduct a music talk.

You can check London MexFest’s complete programme on Rich Mix’s official site. You can also receive the latest information by following London MexFest on Facebook and on Twitter.