July 14 we celebrate the centennial of the birth of El Santo, the most iconic Mexican luchador, by co-presenting a new digital restoration of SANTO CONTRA EL CEREBRO DEL MAL– a 1961 horror-action film that was produced in Cuba during the revolution. It’s one of two Mexico-Cuba productions debuting El Santo, which eventually sparked a 52 film series. This #RoxCine screening benefits the Mexican Archive Permanencia Voluntaria.
CEREBRO DEL MAL is one of the first of its genre made in 4K. Restored by Nicolas Winding, Academy Film Archive, Cinema Preservation Alliance—and Permanencia Voluntaria—which is still recovering after the September earthquake. According to MoreliaFilmFestival.com, the material damages left by the devastating September 19 earthquake include those of the Permanencia Voluntaria film archive, the only independent film archive in Mexico that specializes in the collection and preservation of popular Mexican cinema movies, as well as other unique materials such as posters, documents and promotional items. The earthquake caused severe damage to the building that houses the archive and put all the material it shelters at risk. Located in a warehouse area of Tepoztlán, Morelos, the Permanencia Voluntaria archive has preserved, in particular, “ficheras” movies, “rumberas” and several El Santo films.
Funds raised at this screening will help benefit its repair. To donate more, go to gofundme.
Filmmaker and archivist Viviana García Besné investigates cult luchador films from the inside as the grandniece of star José Luis Calderón and granddaughter of the producer. Join us to hear what she’s discovered IN PERSON following this screening.
Go to Roxie Theater for tickets: buff.ly/2lZ4UyD.
