PROPOSAL FOR THE
DOCUMENTARY FILM

Program Discription

As night falls over Lake Patzcuaro, preparations for a celebration have been under way for several weeks. Magical altars have been constructed and decorated with yellow marigolds. Candy is made and bread is baked. Candles, photographs, incense, liquors, toys, masks, money and cherished belongings become part of the altars. By midnight the festivities are well underway all around the lake. On Isla Yunuen something else is happening, a more solemn atmosphere prevails. A mother rests her head on a gravestone while children play among the crosses and shrines in the graveyard, and the sound of bells can be heard coming from the church up on the hill. For generations people have been coming here to practice their belief in the unity between life and death. This cultural phenomenon has come to be known as "El Dia de Los Muertos."

Noche de Muertos proposes to document a week in the life of a multi-generational family as they prepare for the festival and will conclude with a night in a graveyard on Isla Yunuen. By following those of different age groups, we will show how the old ways have been assimilated and adapted to meet the current needs of the people. The purpose is to communicate how "El Dia de Los Muertos" contrasts with American culture and western views on death. Noche de Muertos will use the family’s own words and actions to explain the significance of the ritual’s symbolism as they prepare for it.

As dawn lights the sky deep blue and the warm glow of candles fades around the ofrendas in the graveyard, the living and the dead separate for another year. The spiritual union between the them will last forever.

My choice of style is related to my experience working with the British Broadcasting Corporation. To me that means you use such classic tools of the interview as the man on the street and establishing shots of the locations. We will let the images and the words of the people tell the story. Through film, video, and Bruce Herman’s award-winning photographs we will show the viewer what it is like to be there and how it feels to participate in Noche de Muertos.

While most documentaries on "El Dia de Los Muertos" focus the ceremonial aspects, we will let the people communicate their viewpoint and words on how this unique blend of myth and reality are blended into the festival know as Noche de Muertos and Animecha Kejtzitacua.

By capturing the essence of "El Dia de Los Muertos" we hope to show other cultures the importance of embracing and accepting death and its consequences. Far too often in technological and modern societies human life becomes devalued. Death is something shown on television but not discussed at the dinner table. We hope people everywhere will benefit from Noche de Muertos and learn to commune with and accept death as a natural process.

There has often been an inability of western culture to absorb other societies and the ideas of indigenous peoples. Modern civilization misses an important aspect of life; they have very little spiritual connection to the world around them. We will turn the tables and use television as a medium to change people’s lives for the better.

In terms of the US domestic market, PBS, The Learning Channel, and Discovery would be the outlets most interested in Noche de Muertos. International distribution would reach an appreciative audience. Organizations like the BBC, ITN, Granada Television, and Mne Television routinely purchase independent programs. There are also several film festivals with documentary categories.

Bruce Herman has already spent two years in a row photographing on Isla Yunuen during Noche de Muertos. Both of us have traveled extensively through out Mexico and have a great appreciation for the land, the people, and their history. We don’t want people to think of "El Dia de Los Muertos" as a just a big party. There is something very special and precious here and we intend to capture it for posterity.

John Middelkoop-Writer/Director

Experience: I have studied Journalism, Theater and Cinematography. My work experience includes Producer, Director, Editor, Cinematographer, and Gaffer. In addition I owned a commercial photography studio during the 80’s. After 25 years in the business I feel that all my experiences manifest themselves in my imagery.

Credits Director of Photography- "Favors" (Kusner-Locke), "Crimson Sunsets" (Street Spurs), "Amsec International" (Rising Star), "Soul Searching" (The Movie Company); Director- "Ericsson Cellular" (Imagination Limited) and "Alameda Corridor" (Daniel, Mann, Johnson and Mendenhall); 2nd Unit DP- "Freeway" (Oliver Stone); Gaffer-Over 20 documentaries for the BBC in the last 2 years.

Bruce Herman-Cameraman

Credits: Advertising Photography for hotel chains (Westin and The Cabo Real Group), airlines (Aero California and Mexicana) and other travel related clients. Bruce also shoots for the Fundomixto (Mexican Tourist Board) and has received the Lente de Plata (Silver Lens Award) presented to him in 1998 by Mexico President Ernesto Zidillo for his photographic contributions to Mexican Tourism.