Director, Mary Ellen Davis ; producer, Paul Lapointe, Nicole Lamothe ; camera, François Beauchemin ; sound, Marcel Fraser ; editing, Camille Laperrière ; sound editing, Gilles Quintal ; re-recording, Shelley Craig, Jean Paul Vialard ; music, Marc Villemure.

Participation, Mario Rojas Alba.

Recorded 1996.

Mexico, land of sun, is also a land of violence, according to Mario Rojas Alba, a physician and former member of Congress, who fled to Montreal as a political refugee after surviving a brutal physical assault. During a cautious trip home, he guides us through the workings of political repression and violence in Mexico. The resulting film reveals the darker side of this vast country which became our official trading partner in January 1994 under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)--an accord criticized by a great many Mexicans, especially the indigenous people of Chiapas, who rose in revolt, demanding a more just and democratic society. On the Day of the Dead, families and friends remember those who have "disappeared"; widows lay flowers on the graves of husbands slain for opposing the ruling party. By their side, Mario Rojas Alba reaffirms his commitment to a peaceful transition toward true democracy. He also proclaims his love for his country, where, despite the political uncertainty, "the flowers still bloom each spring." In Spanish with English subtitles.

Mode of access: World Wide Web.

Description based on online resource; title from title screen (National Film Board of Canada, viewed 2023-08-10).