28 October- 4 November 2009 Amsterdam
La ley de Herodes
Herod's Law

Luis Estrada
Mexico | 1999 | 120'

Friday 21 September
22.00 hrs, De Balie

Monday 2 November
20.00 HRS, Studio K

After the corrupt former Mayor is killed by the peasants, poor janitor Juan Vargas is appointed new Mayor of a desert town in central Mexico. Although he tries to bring the motto of the ruling party to town (modernity, peace and progress) he realizes soon that there's nothing to do against corruption... except to become corrupt. Step by step, helped by his pistol, Juan Vargas becomes the law and the worst Major in the town's history. La ley de Herodes stirred a great deal of debate and criticism when it was projected in Mexico and it was subject to an unsuccessfully attempt of censure.


PRELUDE TO REVOLUTION
La ley de Herodes is part of the block PRELUDE TO REVOLUTION. This block points at some current social contexts in Mexico, which could be considered as political time bombs. This program raises the question whether the topics addressed in these artworks, if unattended, are ground for social uprisings (or revolution?). By using the name Prelude to Revolution, the festival would like to contribute in advance to the forthcoming 100 years anniversary celebrations of the Mexican Revolution that will take place in 2010.