The Movie "Bless Me, Ultima"

I was treated to a sneak preview of the movie "Bless Me, Ultima" this evening at the Siverado Theaters in San Antonio, Texas. The movie is based upon the critically acclaimed novel written 40 years ago by Rudolfo Anaya, screenplay by Carl Franklin.

   "Bless Me, Ultima" is narrated by  Alfred Molina and stars Luke Ganalon as a young boy growing up during in New Mexico during WWII, who forms a bond with an elderly curandera or medicine woman.

I'm sure you will hear plenty about the beauty in this film: the story, the emotional resonance, the wonderful acting. And it's hard not to be mesmerized by  Luke Ganalon as seven year old "Antonio."

But, what blew me away was the cinematography! The artistic direction in this film is gorgeous! The scene of a pueblo church bell ringing on a hill (shot from behind shrubbery) where the sky separates into  a stormy white, gray, and blue, is done with such subtlety - that it virtually went unnoticed. Everyone  in the theater was too engrossed in the story.

I haven't seen a film like this in many, many years. I wanted to wake up there and smell the dirt. A moving, passionate, authentic, gem-of-a-movie. Go see it if you can.

"Bless Me, Ultima" opens in select theaters around the country this weekend.

Create something great,

Carolyn Dee Flores

www.carolynflores.com