By Nina Rodriguez

 

Since June, Wednesday nights are reserved for outdoor projections of the best in contemporary Mexican cinema at “Compartimento Cinematográfico,” an independent cinema that has been operating within the facilities of Mezcal-Art restaurant since November. Thanks to a grant from the Mexican Film Institute, the screenings, which form part of a series labeled MEXtape, are free of charge for the audience.

 

Joining the Pride Month celebrations, the series kicked off with documentaries on LGBTQ+ to a huge success. We are thrilled to start the second month of MEXtape with “Things We Dare Not Do” by Bruno Santamaría, currently premiering in cinemas across Mexico.

 

The film follows Arturo, a teenager who plays with the free spirit of the younger kids he hangs around with in his small coastal village. When a violent situation disrupts the seemingly idyllic atmosphere, with its suggestion of corrosive machismo, Arturo bravely takes the bold step of coming out to his parents.

 

This special screening will be attended by the director of the film and followed by a Q&A session with the audience, already a tradition at Compartimento Cinematografico. “It’s very touching to know that we are about to share the work we started six years ago, to share the encounter that we live. What started as a secret led to an idea; the idea led us on a journey and the journey to an encounter. We met Dayanara, and she changed the idea, the trip, the movie, and my life. I am happy to share this process that took the form of a meeting and that with the screening in cinemas and through the gaze of the spectators, transforms into the most exciting thing: a movie.”

 

The series of free screenings of Mexican cinema will continue on Wednesday nights until the end of the year. Facilitating access to the work of contemporary Mexican filmmakers was our main objective when opening an independent theater in San Miguel de Allende. There is a broad range of enthusiastic local audiences, and we would like to provide a platform for them to meet with Mexican filmmakers and their stories in order to create dialogues around current topics concerning all of us. 

 

Compartimento Cinematográfico also opened the doors of its indoor theater to expand the film schedule with diverse programming, including films for children every week to create a regular home for cinephiles in San Miguel and to celebrate cinema as a communal cultural experience every week—a meeting point where all audiences can enjoy access to curated programming and discover both contemporary Mexican cinema and foreign films that do not reach commercial theaters in the region. In observance of the current sanitary measures, seating inside the theater is currently limited to 15, and we kindly request reservations by email or through our social media.

 

Limited capacity. Mandatory use of face masks.

 

Most films will be either spoken or subtitled in English, but please double-check with us if not specified.

 

In case of rain, outdoor screenings move under our roof or inside the theater.

 

Our email is compartimentocinematografico@gmail.com.

 

Located inside Mezcal-Art on Calzada de la Estación 59 (next to Immigration offices).