A Day Without a Mexican

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A Day Without a Mexican

Theatrical poster
Directed by Sergio Arau
Produced by Isaac Artenstein
Written by Sergio Arau
Yareli Arizmendi
Sergio Guerrero
Starring Yareli Arizmendi,
John Getz,
Maureen Flannigan
Music by Juan Colomer,
Molotov
Cinematography Alan Caudillo
Editing by Daniel Fort,
Shaula Vega (uncredited)
Distributed by Altavista Films,
Televisa Cine
Release date(s) May 14, 2004
Running time 100 min.
Country United States,
Mexico,
Spain
Language English,
Spanish
Allmovie profile
IMDb profile
This article is about the 2004 film. For the nationwide boycott in 2006, see Great American Boycott.

A Day Without a Mexican is a 2004 film directed by Sergio Arau.

A Day Without a Mexican, opened on May 14, 2004 in limited release throughout Southern California and on September 17 in theaters in Chicago, Texas, Florida and New York City, is a fantasy in which all Latinos in the U.S. state of California suddenly disappear.

Contents

[edit] Plot

The film takes a satirical look at the range of effects on the (non-Latino, mostly White) Californians who remain. This film does not dwell on the mechanics of how Latinos disappear. Where Latinos went doesn't seem as important as what happens to California without them. The disappearance coincides with a "pink fog" which surrounds California. Nothing crosses the pink fog border, and it is said to be responsible for the lack of telephone and internet communications outside the state.

[edit] Reception

The film's 2004 awards include best screenplay at the Cartagena Film Festival and a nomination for best film; a special jury award at the Gramado Film Festival; and an award for best editing at the Guadalajara Mexican Film Festival.

The film was number one at the box office in its opening weekend in Mexico, although it was only a moderate box office success in the United States, grossing an estimated $4.1 million. Critical reception among American reviewers was lukewarm. Ella Taylor of the L.A. weekly describes it as "A terrific premise is mangled to a pulp, then beaten to death in this forced mockumentary." [1]E! Online is less kind, stating "This Day not only lacks Mexicans but also good acting, sharp storytelling and humor."[2] rottentomatoes critics on the site list it as a 30% on the Tomatometer.[3]

[edit] Trivia

 Trivia sections are discouraged under Wikipedia guidelines.
The article could be improved by integrating relevant items and removing inappropriate ones.
  • This was Eddy Palomo's last film before he died of a heart attack.
  • The trailer of the film in Mexico included the controversial song "Frijolero" by Molotov.

[edit] External links

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