I just love it when Hollywood depicts my Mexican culture properly. Many times, I’ve witnessed Mexican culture inspired scenes only to have it mixed up with other Latino cultures. It’s like Hollywood thinks everyone who speaks Spanish falls into the same category. I feel as if they spend so much money on sets and designs but yet fail to add authenticity to the scenes. This isn’t the case with the the upcoming James Bond movie, SPECTRE. I just a saw a clip of an opening sequence set during the Day of the Dead festival in Mexico City and they have gone all out! They are even featuring the first Mexican bond girl! I don’t mean an actress who plays a Mexican character, Mexican actress Stephanie Sigman plays the role.
Director Sam Mendes says, “I wanted the audience to be dropped right into the middle of a very, very specific, very heady, rich environment. It’s the Day of the Dead, everywhere you look there’s colour and detail and life. We’ve built floats and maquettes, the costumes are extraordinary and the craftsmanship.”
The filmmakers wanted to immerse Bond in a magnificent festival in a Latin American city. “And it doesn’t get any bigger than Mexico City and the Day of the Dead,” says Mendes.
“When audiences see these scenes they will be watching good, old-fashioned filmmaking rendered on a gargantuan scale. The Mexico scenes are truly epic.”
Bond, of course, is drawn to women and in SPECTRE proves that he can still woo them. The first female to fall under his spell is Estrella, whose company he enjoys while working in Mexico City. Mexican actress Stephanie Sigman plays the role.
“The opening scenes of the film starts with Bond and Estrella celebrating the Day of the Dead in this amazing location with thousands of people,” says Sigman. “It is a beautiful scene because it’s very close to the reality of how we celebrate that day in Mexico. That was very nice for me, being Mexican, and it wasn’t difficult to get fully immersed in the scenes.”
I definitely give everyone who was involved in perfecting this scene an A+! They did their homework and I can’t wait to see the film. SPECTRE arrives in theatres on November 6th.
Dia De Los Muertos is a celebration that honors friends and family members who have passed on. You don’t need to have a Hollywood budget to build your own altar in the privacy of your home. Just a few or all of below offerings combined with lots of love will make a beautiful altar.
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My good friend Nadine does an amazing job every year of putting together a Dia De Los Muertos altar.
Candles – Light one to welcome the spirits to the altar
- Marigolds – These flowers symbolize death. Their strong fragrance also help lead the dead back to their altars.
- Salt – represents the continuance of life.
- Photos -Frame a photo of those you are honoring.
- Pan De Muerto – Also known as “bread of the dead is a symbol of the departed.
- Sugar skulls – As symbols of death and the afterlife.
- Fresh fruit & Other foods – Altars also usually include the dead person’s favorite foods.
- Personal favorites: Add personal items or favorite activities of the deceased. Instruments, books, art supplies, jewelry, the sky is the limit!
Dia De Los Muertos is celebrated on both
November 1st and 2nd
