SYNOPSIS
Michoacán, Mexico is known for its unique Day of the Dead celebration; less familiar, however, is its past as the Purépecha Empire, the greatest rival to the Aztecs. We reveal that five centuries after the Conquest, Purépechas have spent decades researching and restoring their pre-Hispanic festivities and gods, defying racism and the Catholic Church. Every February 1, thousands gather to celebrate the Purépecha New Year with a massive march in honor of the Sacred Fire. This story of cultural reclamation is paralleled with the restoration of a 1936 cinema-palace dedicated to the last Purépecha emperor, and with the renewal of his living memory in the hearts of his people.
Credits
AMADIS PRESENTA “EL EMPERADOR DE MICHOACÁN” EN COPRODUCCIÓN CON ESTUDIOS CHURUBUSCO AZTECA, GEISER MEDIA
DIRECCIÓN DE FOTOGRAFÍA ROCÍO ORTIZ AGUILAR, URIEL FLORES, HENOCHHIRAM CABRERA | FOTOGRAFÍA ADICIONAL ALDO GARCÍA CABALLERO
FOTOGRAFÍA DRON LUCIANO LAROBINA, ENRIQUE CHUCK | COORDINACIÓN DE PRODUCCIÓN MARIO MÉNDEZ, BRUNO MOLINA, ROGELIO ALVARADO
EDICIÓN Y MONTAJE SALVADOR D. LÓPEZ | PRODUCTORES EJECUTIVOS/ASESORES CREATIVOS SALVADOR D. LÓPEZ, ALFREDO PEÑUELAS RIVAS
POSTPRODUCTORES BRENDA RAMOS, MARIO MÉNDEZ, DAVID VERTTY | CRÉDITOS SERGIO MORALES, BRUNO MOLINA, BRENDA RAMOS
PRODUCTOR ENRIQUE CHUCK | DIRECTOR ARTURO PIMENTEL | GUIONISTA, PRODUCTOR Y DIRECTOR JAMES RAMEY
Webpage art and design: James Ramey
Statement of the Directors
First we were amazed to learn about the survival of a gorgeous cinema palace in the pueblo of Pátzcuaro, Michoacán, dedicated to the last emperor of the Purépechas. Then we discovered the larger story of the unfolding renaissance of the Purépecha culture itself. The film flowed from that juncture.
James Ramey and Arturo Pimentel