Films Highlight Mexico's Dark Political Past Olga R. Rodriguez - Associated Press
go to original June 15, 2012

In this still image taken from the trailer of the film 'Colosio' released by the film's producers Alebrije/Cinetc on June 13, 2012, Mexican actor Enoc Leano plays the part of the slain Mexican presidential candidate Luis Donaldo Colosio on the day he was assassinated in Tijuana, Mexico on March 23, 1994. (AP /Alebrije/Cinetc)

MEXICO CITY — The political thriller begins with a stunning piece of reality: actual footage of a man pressing a revolver against a presidential candidate's right temple and pulling the trigger, an image that marked a watershed year in Mexican history.

"Colosio," which portrays the 1994 killing of a candidate who was almost certain to be the next president, casts doubts on the official conclusion that a lone gunman planned and carried out the killing of Luis Donaldo Colosio, which is often compared to John F. Kennedy's assassination.

It is one of several new politically minded films being released just ahead of Mexico's July 1 election that are aimed at reminding Mexicans of the dark side of the Institutional Revolutionary Party, which governed Mexico for 71 years, and which seems set to return to power.

"Colosio" portrays a scenario that many conspiracy-minded Mexicans have long believed: that members of the country's power structure, including those in Colosio's own party, known as the PRI, plotted to kill the candidate because he promised to reform a government system run through corruption and coercion.

Another new drama explores a controversial clash between farmworkers and police in the state where the PRI's presidential candidate was governor. A documentary describes censorship of rock and roll during the party's control.

PRI spokesman Eduardo Sanchez said he couldn't comment on the films because he hasn't seen them and probably wouldn't have time to do so before the election.

"But what I can tell you that the PRI is respectful of freedom of expression," Sanchez said.

Those involved in the films say it's no coincidence that the releases come just weeks before the election.

"Your vote is secret but you should be informed," said "Colosio" director Carlos Bolado. "What's important is for people to know what happened 18 years ago, to recover our memory."

Many Mexicans seem ready to shake off any bad memories: PRI presidential candidate Enrique Pena Nieto has a strong lead in most polls.

"Colosio," which opened over the weekend, features major Mexican movie stars including Kate del Castillo and Daniel Jimenez Cacho. It follows the story of a police investigator assigned by the president's right-hand man to conduct a parallel, secret investigation into Colosio's killing.

According to the story, the investigator discovers there were several gunmen at the scene and that numerous people knew of plans to kill Colosio. And as the investigator connects the dots, each of those involved gets killed.

"The film doesn't tell you who killed Colosio but it tells why people wanted to kill him" said Bolado. "I hope it awakens people's curiosity and that they ask themselves why this happened."

Read the full story here

We invite you to add your charity or supporting organizations' news stories and coming events to PVAngels so we can share them with the world. Do it now!