It’s difficult for Mexican documentarians to tackle their country’s drug war. Mexican-born American filmmaker Bernardo Ruiz explored the danger facing Mexican journalists in his 2012 film Reportero. Once, there were rules about who was and wasn’t fair game for targeting in the drug trade. Since 2006, when Mexican President Felipe Calderon ramped up the war on drugs, those standards have seemingly all dissolved. With Kingdom of Shadows, Ruiz returns to the drug war, this time with a scope that’s simultaneously more personal and wider-reaching.
The movie is split mainly into three story threads. In Monterrey, site of some of the harshest turf battles between the cartels, Sister Consuelo Morales runs an organization which advocates for the families of people who have disappeared. More than 23,000 such cases exist in Mexico — a former Hrc employee points out that historically, this had once only happened under repressive authoritarian regimes. At the...
The movie is split mainly into three story threads. In Monterrey, site of some of the harshest turf battles between the cartels, Sister Consuelo Morales runs an organization which advocates for the families of people who have disappeared. More than 23,000 such cases exist in Mexico — a former Hrc employee points out that historically, this had once only happened under repressive authoritarian regimes. At the...
- 11/19/2015
- by Daniel Schindel
- The Film Stage
A massive operation that mushroomed through the western Mexican state of Sinaloa last week netted the world's top drug lord, who was captured overnight by U.S. and Mexican authorities at a condominium in Mazatlan, officials from both countries said. A senior U.S. law enforcement official said Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman was taken alive by Mexican marines in the beach resort town. The official was not authorized to discuss the arrest and spoke on condition of anonymity. Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto confirmed the arrest on his Twitter account Saturday afternoon. Guzman, 56, was found with an unidentified woman, the official said,...
- 2/22/2014
- by Associated Press
- PEOPLE.com
Anna Politkovskaya, a fearless Russian journalist, wrote about the horrors she witnessed during Vladimir Putin’s presidency. As a result of her hard hitting reporting she was shot and killed in Moscow in 2006—the identity of the gunman is still unknown. Published posthumously, a collection of her essays bears the title ‘Is Journalism Worth Dying For?’ Bernardo Ruiz, a Mexican-born and U.S. bred documentarian ponders the same question in his film Reportero.
Fighting the drug war has come at a huge cost for Mexico, mostly in lives lost. It is estimated that nearly 60,000 people have died as a result of the clamp down on drug cartels that started under former President Felipe Calderon back in 2006. A number of the drug war related murders include journalists who dared to investigate and report on the cartels. Reportero follows Sergio Haro, a veteran photojournalist for Zeta, a Tijuana-based weekly newspaper. Even in the face of constant death threats Zeta’s reporters refuse to censor themselves and routinely publish the names and photos of drug traffickers and corrupt politicians. The newspaper, from its very inception more than thirty years ago, sought to out Mexico’s government—then controlled by a single political party, the Pri—as crooked, exploitative, and undemocratic.
Zeta began as a project of frustrated journalists who banded together to subvert the government’s monopoly on news. Ruiz recounts, “The paper was started in 1980 by a journalist named Jesús Blancornelas. Blancornelas had been fired from five different papers for his aggressive editorial stance. And so in 1980, he and another reporter decided that they wanted to create a paper for journalists that would not be controlled by the government or deal with government censors. So early on in that process, they decided that they would actually print the newspaper in San Diego, across the border in the United States. And every week they’d truck the newspaper into Mexico. It was a way to defy government censorship because in 1980, paper sales were controlled by the Mexican government. From its birth the paper has always had a very clear, independent streak.” The paper’s editors stubbornly continue to stick to their early mission, crusading against government corruption and organized crime. But, their muckraking journalism continually puts their lives in peril, on a daily basis.
Adela Navarro, co-director of Zeta was recently named as one of Foreign Policy’s Top 100 Global Thinkers. Despite the international recognition, the threats on her life continue. In February of last year, an anonymous call was made to the Zeta headquarters warning that Melvin Gutiérrez Quiroz, an alleged Tijuana drug trafficker had it in for the reporter and her staff. As Ruiz explains, the cadre of reporters at Zeta hope the film will raise the profile of the paper and shield them from further intimidation, “...in the case of Sergio and Adela and the other journalists at Zeta, they feel that a film like this gives them more attention and that attention is added protection. There are some cases in the world where this type of attention would be detrimental to the journalists, but in this case, they were confident that this will bring more attention, greater protections to their work.” Hopefully, the documentary will touch a nerve with American audiences and provide a different view of their southern neighbor.
Ruiz started off making a short film about an entirely different topic but fate nudged him in a different direction. After meeting Sergio, the documentary became about Zeta’s tireless efforts to print what no other paper would dare to. Ruiz saw an opportunity to delve deeper into Mexico’s drug war violence, something that was sorely lacking in the American news media. He says, “...here in the U.S., I was reading headlines or I was seeing these sensational news packages put together on cable. It was just a report of the body count, of the heads in the street, of the blood in the street. And past a certain point there was just no analysis, there was no context. The human side of the story, the human toll of what’s been happening in Mexico was entirely neglected.” Ruiz’s film does exactly the opposite.
At the heart of film is Sergio Haro’s daily life as a journalist. Reportero opens with Haro going about his day, telling stories about the perils of journalism in Mexico as he drives to take pictures of grisly crime scenes. He then recounts how two of Zeta’s staff reporters were gunned down by hired hit men on separate occasions. His pain and anger are palpable when it is revealed that the gunmen were never brought to justice. He sometimes questions himself—the danger, the threats to his life—is journalism really worth dying for? His devotion to his craft is unshakeable. Reportero succeeds at painting a powerful portrait of a man committed to social justice and exposing the truth, no matter the cost.
You can watch Reportero on PBS.org through February 6, 2013. For more information on the film follow on Twitter, like on Facebook, and visit the website.
Written by Juan Caceres and Vanessa Erazo, LatinoBuzz is a weekly feature on SydneysBuzz that highlights Latino indie talent and upcoming trends in Latino film with the specific objective of presenting a broad range of Latino voices. Follow @LatinoBuzz on twitter.
Fighting the drug war has come at a huge cost for Mexico, mostly in lives lost. It is estimated that nearly 60,000 people have died as a result of the clamp down on drug cartels that started under former President Felipe Calderon back in 2006. A number of the drug war related murders include journalists who dared to investigate and report on the cartels. Reportero follows Sergio Haro, a veteran photojournalist for Zeta, a Tijuana-based weekly newspaper. Even in the face of constant death threats Zeta’s reporters refuse to censor themselves and routinely publish the names and photos of drug traffickers and corrupt politicians. The newspaper, from its very inception more than thirty years ago, sought to out Mexico’s government—then controlled by a single political party, the Pri—as crooked, exploitative, and undemocratic.
Zeta began as a project of frustrated journalists who banded together to subvert the government’s monopoly on news. Ruiz recounts, “The paper was started in 1980 by a journalist named Jesús Blancornelas. Blancornelas had been fired from five different papers for his aggressive editorial stance. And so in 1980, he and another reporter decided that they wanted to create a paper for journalists that would not be controlled by the government or deal with government censors. So early on in that process, they decided that they would actually print the newspaper in San Diego, across the border in the United States. And every week they’d truck the newspaper into Mexico. It was a way to defy government censorship because in 1980, paper sales were controlled by the Mexican government. From its birth the paper has always had a very clear, independent streak.” The paper’s editors stubbornly continue to stick to their early mission, crusading against government corruption and organized crime. But, their muckraking journalism continually puts their lives in peril, on a daily basis.
Adela Navarro, co-director of Zeta was recently named as one of Foreign Policy’s Top 100 Global Thinkers. Despite the international recognition, the threats on her life continue. In February of last year, an anonymous call was made to the Zeta headquarters warning that Melvin Gutiérrez Quiroz, an alleged Tijuana drug trafficker had it in for the reporter and her staff. As Ruiz explains, the cadre of reporters at Zeta hope the film will raise the profile of the paper and shield them from further intimidation, “...in the case of Sergio and Adela and the other journalists at Zeta, they feel that a film like this gives them more attention and that attention is added protection. There are some cases in the world where this type of attention would be detrimental to the journalists, but in this case, they were confident that this will bring more attention, greater protections to their work.” Hopefully, the documentary will touch a nerve with American audiences and provide a different view of their southern neighbor.
Ruiz started off making a short film about an entirely different topic but fate nudged him in a different direction. After meeting Sergio, the documentary became about Zeta’s tireless efforts to print what no other paper would dare to. Ruiz saw an opportunity to delve deeper into Mexico’s drug war violence, something that was sorely lacking in the American news media. He says, “...here in the U.S., I was reading headlines or I was seeing these sensational news packages put together on cable. It was just a report of the body count, of the heads in the street, of the blood in the street. And past a certain point there was just no analysis, there was no context. The human side of the story, the human toll of what’s been happening in Mexico was entirely neglected.” Ruiz’s film does exactly the opposite.
At the heart of film is Sergio Haro’s daily life as a journalist. Reportero opens with Haro going about his day, telling stories about the perils of journalism in Mexico as he drives to take pictures of grisly crime scenes. He then recounts how two of Zeta’s staff reporters were gunned down by hired hit men on separate occasions. His pain and anger are palpable when it is revealed that the gunmen were never brought to justice. He sometimes questions himself—the danger, the threats to his life—is journalism really worth dying for? His devotion to his craft is unshakeable. Reportero succeeds at painting a powerful portrait of a man committed to social justice and exposing the truth, no matter the cost.
You can watch Reportero on PBS.org through February 6, 2013. For more information on the film follow on Twitter, like on Facebook, and visit the website.
Written by Juan Caceres and Vanessa Erazo, LatinoBuzz is a weekly feature on SydneysBuzz that highlights Latino indie talent and upcoming trends in Latino film with the specific objective of presenting a broad range of Latino voices. Follow @LatinoBuzz on twitter.
- 1/16/2013
- by Vanessa Erazo
- Sydney's Buzz
In his first major programming partnership in the U.S., Jorge Granier, managing director of Rctv’s Miami-based subsidiary Rctv International, has teamed with Ben Silverman’s Electus and Sofia Vegara’s Latin We. The first two projects to come out of their collaboration are Web series Isla Presidential and TV series project Jane The Virgin. Granier, Electus and Latin We will produce new webisodes for Isla Presidencial, a popular Latin American animated web series that has logged more than 22-million views and 32,000 subscribers to date. In it, 12 Latin American presidents, including Hugo Chavez, Felipe Calderon and Christina Kirchner, are stranded on a deserted island where they struggle to survive and cope with the loss of power. (Watch below the series’ first episode, which has amassed 4.5 million views.) The new season will air on NuevOn, Electus and Latin We’s Hispanic YouTube channel, with the first webisode debuting in November.
- 10/22/2012
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
Shooting Spree: Almada Documents Open Air and Closed Doors of War Zone
A documentary film that is a nearly wordless account, save for the Mexican TV and radio broadcasts of the ongoing drug wars happening in the north of Mexico, particularly in the notorious cities of Juarez and Culiacan. El Velador (The Night Watchman) is one day in the life of those left to tend the memorials and mausoleums of Mexican’s fallen drug lords, whose corpses lie like kings in marble tombs. Natalia Almada’s chilling look at what happens when criminal drug lords are deified even in death, while their victims are completely forgotten might be wordless, but speaks volumes about a problem that is unlikely to go away.
Martin, a solitary worker along with his faithful dogs, takes care of the mausoleums every night, as the “velador” of the title. Workers keep the ground moist by hosing it down periodically,...
A documentary film that is a nearly wordless account, save for the Mexican TV and radio broadcasts of the ongoing drug wars happening in the north of Mexico, particularly in the notorious cities of Juarez and Culiacan. El Velador (The Night Watchman) is one day in the life of those left to tend the memorials and mausoleums of Mexican’s fallen drug lords, whose corpses lie like kings in marble tombs. Natalia Almada’s chilling look at what happens when criminal drug lords are deified even in death, while their victims are completely forgotten might be wordless, but speaks volumes about a problem that is unlikely to go away.
Martin, a solitary worker along with his faithful dogs, takes care of the mausoleums every night, as the “velador” of the title. Workers keep the ground moist by hosing it down periodically,...
- 6/12/2012
- by Melissa Silvestri
- IONCINEMA.com
Mexico City -- Thousands of "tween" girls jammed a vast square with their parents and screamed in unison throughout teen superstar Justin Bieber's free concert Monday night, an event that was expected to draw 200,000 people to the historic center of Mexico's capital.
Bieber opened with his hit song "Baby," while his adoring fans filling the city's main plaza sang along or shouted "Justin! Justin! Justin!"
"Mexico City, there is a lot of people today!" Bieber told the crowd. "Every one of you is my biggest fan."
Dressed in white jeans and a gray sweatshirt that he took off to reveal a white T-shirt, the singer wore neon yellow tennis shoes and was accompanied by five dancers in neon colors. Four giant screens showed parts of his music videos to the crowd of mainly girls and their parents, who braved a light, intermittent rain during the concert.
The crowd went...
Bieber opened with his hit song "Baby," while his adoring fans filling the city's main plaza sang along or shouted "Justin! Justin! Justin!"
"Mexico City, there is a lot of people today!" Bieber told the crowd. "Every one of you is my biggest fan."
Dressed in white jeans and a gray sweatshirt that he took off to reveal a white T-shirt, the singer wore neon yellow tennis shoes and was accompanied by five dancers in neon colors. Four giant screens showed parts of his music videos to the crowd of mainly girls and their parents, who braved a light, intermittent rain during the concert.
The crowd went...
- 6/12/2012
- by AP
- Huffington Post
Beloved Mexican author Carlos Fuentes has died, aged 83.
The novelist and essayist, who is among the most popular writers of the Spanish-speaking world, passed away on Tuesday, according to multiple reports.
Mexican President Felipe Calderon announced the death on his Twitter.com page.
Fuentes' most famous novels included Where the Air Is Clear, The Death of Artemio Cruz, Terra Nostra and The Old Gringo, which was adapted into a movie starring Jane Fonda and Gregory Peck.
He also wrote plays, newspaper columns and co-founded a literary magazine.
The novelist and essayist, who is among the most popular writers of the Spanish-speaking world, passed away on Tuesday, according to multiple reports.
Mexican President Felipe Calderon announced the death on his Twitter.com page.
Fuentes' most famous novels included Where the Air Is Clear, The Death of Artemio Cruz, Terra Nostra and The Old Gringo, which was adapted into a movie starring Jane Fonda and Gregory Peck.
He also wrote plays, newspaper columns and co-founded a literary magazine.
- 5/16/2012
- WENN
Mexico City — President Felipe Calderon is figuratively going out on a limb – and literally down a sinkhole, up a river (with a paddle) and over the top of a few pyramids – in an attempt to boost Mexico's flagging tourism industry.
The balding, 49-year-old leader is personally trying to change his country's violent reputation by appearing as a sort of adventure tour guide in a series of TV programs to be broadcast starting in September on Public Broadcasting Service stations in the United States.
The president dons an Indiana Jones-style hat and a harness and descends a rope into the 1,000-foot-deep (375-meter) Sotano de las Golondrinas cavern, accompanied by Peter Greenberg, host of the "The Royal Tour" TV series. Calderon also straps on scuba tanks to lead Greenberg into a sinkhole lake known as a cenote in Yucatan. And he helps a Lacandon Indian paddle a boat down a river in...
The balding, 49-year-old leader is personally trying to change his country's violent reputation by appearing as a sort of adventure tour guide in a series of TV programs to be broadcast starting in September on Public Broadcasting Service stations in the United States.
The president dons an Indiana Jones-style hat and a harness and descends a rope into the 1,000-foot-deep (375-meter) Sotano de las Golondrinas cavern, accompanied by Peter Greenberg, host of the "The Royal Tour" TV series. Calderon also straps on scuba tanks to lead Greenberg into a sinkhole lake known as a cenote in Yucatan. And he helps a Lacandon Indian paddle a boat down a river in...
- 8/20/2011
- by AP
- Huffington Post
There's nothing like a boring Twitter presence to suck the fun right out of your favorite celebrity. Luckily, Zap2it is vetting the @celebs so you don't have to get stuck following someone who just tweets things like "working really hard," "it's so rough being rich," and blurry twitpics of their food.
Our very first Follow Friday suggestion is "90210" star Trevor Donovan, who you should really be following even if you've never seen the show. Donovan plays Teddy Montgomery, a gay teenager who strongly resembles a fully grown Adonis.and who has been struggling to come out of the closet all season.
Donovan's Twitter, however, is far less angsty than his West Bev persona. Here are three reasons you should follow @TrevDon.
1. He gives stuff away. There's nothing worse than a celeb who tweets pics of all the free stuff they get just to taunt you. Donovan signs his swag,...
Our very first Follow Friday suggestion is "90210" star Trevor Donovan, who you should really be following even if you've never seen the show. Donovan plays Teddy Montgomery, a gay teenager who strongly resembles a fully grown Adonis.and who has been struggling to come out of the closet all season.
Donovan's Twitter, however, is far less angsty than his West Bev persona. Here are three reasons you should follow @TrevDon.
1. He gives stuff away. There's nothing worse than a celeb who tweets pics of all the free stuff they get just to taunt you. Donovan signs his swag,...
- 1/21/2011
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Pop2it
2010: A Year with the ObamasA Year with the ObamasTo say the Obamas had an exciting year is an understatement. The First Family played host to several state dinners, parties, political events, and now multiple holiday celebrations. To catch a moment of rest the Obamas enjoyed a few vacations along the way, visiting Maine, Hawaii and Spain.As the year draws to a close and the Obamas begin to wrap gifts to place under their tree, take a look back at the First Family's busy year...Aloha!The Obamas kicked off their year in a fabulous vacation. See Sasha and Malia getting ready to enjoy the sunny beaches of Hawaii.First State DinnerThe First Couple looked absolutely impeccable as they wait to greet Indian President Manmohan Singh and his wife Gursharan Kaur at their first state dinner of the year.Celebrating Civil RightsThe First Couple celebrated Black history month by listening to a little music.
- 12/17/2010
- Essence
Mexico City -- President Felipe Calderon on Thursday said Mexican television will go fully digital by the end of 2015, claiming the transition will open the airwaves to greater competition.
In the president's state of the nation report, he said the migration from analog to digital will allow a greater number of participants in television and telecommunications to provide TV signals.
"Mexicans...will have more channels with more options for cultural, news and entertainment content," Calderon said.
Two networks dominate Mexico's airwaves. With media giant Televisa and rival TV Azteca controlling an estimated 95% of the nation's TV stations, new players have found it all but impossible to crack the concentrated market. NBC Universal's Telemundo had been seeking a broadcast license in Mexico for several years, but to no avail.
Opposition party lawmaker Carlos Sotelo, president of the Senate's Radio, Television and Film Committee, was quoted in the Mexican daily El Universal...
In the president's state of the nation report, he said the migration from analog to digital will allow a greater number of participants in television and telecommunications to provide TV signals.
"Mexicans...will have more channels with more options for cultural, news and entertainment content," Calderon said.
Two networks dominate Mexico's airwaves. With media giant Televisa and rival TV Azteca controlling an estimated 95% of the nation's TV stations, new players have found it all but impossible to crack the concentrated market. NBC Universal's Telemundo had been seeking a broadcast license in Mexico for several years, but to no avail.
Opposition party lawmaker Carlos Sotelo, president of the Senate's Radio, Television and Film Committee, was quoted in the Mexican daily El Universal...
- 9/2/2010
- by By John Hecht
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Mexico City -- Hector Osuna, head commissioner of Mexico's telecom regulator Cofetel, is calling it quits.
Appointed by former President Vicente Fox four years ago, Osuna announced on Wednesday that he will pursue political interests rather than seek re-election when his term ends later this month. President Felipe Calderon will appoint a new commissioner shortly.
Osuna's successor has his work cut out for him. When Calderon took office in 2006, he vowed to make Mexico's highly concentrated telecom industry more competitive. Though some strides have been made to level the playing field, such as the recent auction of a government-owned fiber optic network, telecom giant Telmex continues to dominate the market. Telmex is owned by Carlos Slim, who tops the Forbes list as the richest man in the world.
Cofetel also has been criticized for its lack of media oversight; two broadcasters, Televisa and TV Azteca, control the national airwaves here...
Appointed by former President Vicente Fox four years ago, Osuna announced on Wednesday that he will pursue political interests rather than seek re-election when his term ends later this month. President Felipe Calderon will appoint a new commissioner shortly.
Osuna's successor has his work cut out for him. When Calderon took office in 2006, he vowed to make Mexico's highly concentrated telecom industry more competitive. Though some strides have been made to level the playing field, such as the recent auction of a government-owned fiber optic network, telecom giant Telmex continues to dominate the market. Telmex is owned by Carlos Slim, who tops the Forbes list as the richest man in the world.
Cofetel also has been criticized for its lack of media oversight; two broadcasters, Televisa and TV Azteca, control the national airwaves here...
- 6/23/2010
- by By John Hecht
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Yesterday, Mexican President Felipe Calderon spoke to a joint session of the Us Congress and railed against the controversial immigration law recently passed in Arizona. Democrats in audience rose to applaud after Calderon critiqued the law which did not please the hosts of Fox and Friends one bit, and made some strong point critiquing Calderon's comments - namely that he got it wrong when he said that "racial profiling is the basis of the law."...
- 5/21/2010
- by Colby Hall
- Mediaite - TV
"Lopez Tonight" host George Lopez and his wife, Ann, attended the State Dinner in Washington D.C. Wednesday night.
Honoring visiting Mexican President Felipe Calderon, celebrities in attendance included "The View's" Whoopi Goldberg, Eva Longoria Parker, Gayle King, and a musical performance by Beyoncé.
"I was a little suspicious because the way immigration is right now. I told Eva Longoria if they make us all go into this tent, we're out!" Lopez quipped "Extra.
Honoring visiting Mexican President Felipe Calderon, celebrities in attendance included "The View's" Whoopi Goldberg, Eva Longoria Parker, Gayle King, and a musical performance by Beyoncé.
"I was a little suspicious because the way immigration is right now. I told Eva Longoria if they make us all go into this tent, we're out!" Lopez quipped "Extra.
- 5/20/2010
- Extra
President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama hosted their second White House State Dinner. The guest of honor was Mexican President Felipe Calderon and his wife Margarita Zavala. Beyonce performed. Check out who was in attendance.Here's what you had to say:Vee commented: "I like how Michelle Obama's attractiveness is attainable. She's fit and pretty, but not overdone. She could be me or one of my friends."Anonymous wrote: "After watching Michelle Obama in that beautiful dress and standing beside her husband with a big proud smile, a statment is being made, Black is Beautiful."...
- 5/20/2010
- Essence
President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle hosted the second state dinner of his administration last night at the White House to celebrate an official visit from Mexican President Felipe Calderon and his wife Margarita. Michelle and Margarita got physical earlier in the day during a visit to a Maryland elementary school, but both women were dressed up, with Michelle in a Peter Soronen gown, to join a fresh-from-Cannes Eva Longoria. Beyonce Knowles had the honor of performing for the distinguished crowd with the Mexican act Rodrigo y Gabriela, after she also sang for the president last year at his inauguration. It was a lavish evening for all with a specially prepared menu from chef Rick Bayless, whose cooking Eva was especially excited to try. View 10 Photos › To see more from the big night, just read more. View 10 Photos ›...
- 5/20/2010
- by PopSugar
- Popsugar.com
Getty Images
From the glittery blue shadow that matches her dress to the unflattering curly ‘do, Michelle Obama’s hair and makeup was a total prom-worthy mistake!
Ok, I really don’t like to hate on Michelle Obama because she normally looks fabulous and totally classy. That’s why I’m so confused as to why she would whip out such a terrible hair and makeup combo for The White House state dinner for Mexican president Felipe Calderon on May 19. I mean seriously, Michelle, what’s up with the glittery blue shadow that perfectly matches your also shimmery dress? I probably would have thought this was a great combo when I was going to my Junior Prom but not as an adult. It just looks tacky. And how about that hair?? Michelle has so many great hair looks in her repertoire I’m not sure why she would choose this over-curled,...
From the glittery blue shadow that matches her dress to the unflattering curly ‘do, Michelle Obama’s hair and makeup was a total prom-worthy mistake!
Ok, I really don’t like to hate on Michelle Obama because she normally looks fabulous and totally classy. That’s why I’m so confused as to why she would whip out such a terrible hair and makeup combo for The White House state dinner for Mexican president Felipe Calderon on May 19. I mean seriously, Michelle, what’s up with the glittery blue shadow that perfectly matches your also shimmery dress? I probably would have thought this was a great combo when I was going to my Junior Prom but not as an adult. It just looks tacky. And how about that hair?? Michelle has so many great hair looks in her repertoire I’m not sure why she would choose this over-curled,...
- 5/20/2010
- by MTHollywoodlife
- HollywoodLife
She’s no stranger to swanky affairs, and last night (May 19) Eva Longoria was spotted at the White Hosue State Dinner to honor Mexican President Felipe Calderon.
The “Desperate Housewives” babe looked amazing as she arrived at the exclusive shindig, sporting a one-shoulder copper-colored floor-length gown.
Speaking about the recent Arizona State Legislature regarding illegal immigrants, President Barack Obama assured Calderon that legal immigrants and visitors from Mexico have nothing to worry about.
"In the United States of America, no law-abiding person - be they an American citizen, a legal immigrant or a visitor or tourist from Mexico - should ever be subject to suspicion simply because of what they look like."...
The “Desperate Housewives” babe looked amazing as she arrived at the exclusive shindig, sporting a one-shoulder copper-colored floor-length gown.
Speaking about the recent Arizona State Legislature regarding illegal immigrants, President Barack Obama assured Calderon that legal immigrants and visitors from Mexico have nothing to worry about.
"In the United States of America, no law-abiding person - be they an American citizen, a legal immigrant or a visitor or tourist from Mexico - should ever be subject to suspicion simply because of what they look like."...
- 5/20/2010
- GossipCenter
She’s no stranger to swanky affairs, and last night (May 19) Eva Longoria was spotted at the White Hosue State Dinner to honor Mexican President Felipe Calderon.
The “Desperate Housewives” babe looked amazing as she arrived at the exclusive shindig, sporting a one-shoulder copper-colored floor-length gown.
Speaking about the recent Arizona State Legislature regarding illegal immigrants, President Barack Obama assured Calderon that legal immigrants and visitors from Mexico have nothing to worry about.
"In the United States of America, no law-abiding person - be they an American citizen, a legal immigrant or a visitor or tourist from Mexico - should ever be subject to suspicion simply because of what they look like."...
The “Desperate Housewives” babe looked amazing as she arrived at the exclusive shindig, sporting a one-shoulder copper-colored floor-length gown.
Speaking about the recent Arizona State Legislature regarding illegal immigrants, President Barack Obama assured Calderon that legal immigrants and visitors from Mexico have nothing to worry about.
"In the United States of America, no law-abiding person - be they an American citizen, a legal immigrant or a visitor or tourist from Mexico - should ever be subject to suspicion simply because of what they look like."...
- 5/20/2010
- GossipCenter
Getty Images
Michelle, you look like you’re ready to hit Hollywood in your goddess get-up!
The White House state dinner for Mexican president Felipe Calderon looked more like a movie premiere than a political feast — with Michelle Obama playing the role of the leading lady of the night! Sure, there were actual screen sirens in attendance, (like Beyonce and Eva Longoria Parker), but the true style star was the First Lady! Michelle stole the show in a beautiful blue Peter Soronen one-shoulder gown, complete with rhinestone belt. From the silhouette to the way the dress cascaded around her — the dress was a perfect fit!
Among those who got to mingle with the President and his glam wife were New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez, comedian George Lopez, and Whoopi Goldberg. And, in case you were wondering: No party crashers, though an assistant secretary of state was reportedly turned away for not having proper ID.
Michelle, you look like you’re ready to hit Hollywood in your goddess get-up!
The White House state dinner for Mexican president Felipe Calderon looked more like a movie premiere than a political feast — with Michelle Obama playing the role of the leading lady of the night! Sure, there were actual screen sirens in attendance, (like Beyonce and Eva Longoria Parker), but the true style star was the First Lady! Michelle stole the show in a beautiful blue Peter Soronen one-shoulder gown, complete with rhinestone belt. From the silhouette to the way the dress cascaded around her — the dress was a perfect fit!
Among those who got to mingle with the President and his glam wife were New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez, comedian George Lopez, and Whoopi Goldberg. And, in case you were wondering: No party crashers, though an assistant secretary of state was reportedly turned away for not having proper ID.
- 5/20/2010
- by willlee
- HollywoodLife
Amazing food, gorgeous gowns, elegance was the order of the night for the Obama's second state dinner. That and super-tight security.
Best of all, no gate crashers! Thanks to the new White House social secretary Julianna Smoot, who replaced Desiree Rogers, who resigned earlier this year, after that embarrassing gatecrasher incident.
Michelle enlisted chef (and "Top Chef Masters" winner) Rick Bayless to prepare the night's Mexican-inspired meal that included Oregon wagyu beef with a Oaxacan black mole sauce.
The party even spread out on the South Lawn for dessert and after dinner entertainment that included Beyonce (Jay-z was there, too) and guitarist Rodrigo y Gabriela. Other guests included Whoopi Goldberg, Eva Longoria Parker (just back from Cannes), George Lopez and Olympic speed skater Shani Davis.
There was reportedly even some late night dancing involving Barack, Michelle, Mexican President Felipe Calderon and wife Margarita Zavala, but reporters were politely removed before...
Best of all, no gate crashers! Thanks to the new White House social secretary Julianna Smoot, who replaced Desiree Rogers, who resigned earlier this year, after that embarrassing gatecrasher incident.
Michelle enlisted chef (and "Top Chef Masters" winner) Rick Bayless to prepare the night's Mexican-inspired meal that included Oregon wagyu beef with a Oaxacan black mole sauce.
The party even spread out on the South Lawn for dessert and after dinner entertainment that included Beyonce (Jay-z was there, too) and guitarist Rodrigo y Gabriela. Other guests included Whoopi Goldberg, Eva Longoria Parker (just back from Cannes), George Lopez and Olympic speed skater Shani Davis.
There was reportedly even some late night dancing involving Barack, Michelle, Mexican President Felipe Calderon and wife Margarita Zavala, but reporters were politely removed before...
- 5/20/2010
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Pop2it
Gearing up for an important performance, Beyonce Knowles was seen leaving her hotel in Washington, DC on Wednesday evening (May 19).
The "Irreplaceable" singer happened to be heading to the White House to take part in President Barack Obama's second State Dinner.
Held in honor of Mexico's President Felipe Calderon and first lady Margarita Zavala, Beyonce will take the stage along with Mexican duo Rodrigo y Gabriela and the United States Marine Band.
Drawing plenty of star power, other attendees include "Desparate Housewives" actress Eva Longoria, the lovely Salma Hayek, and talk show hosts Oprah Winfrey and George Lopez.
The "Irreplaceable" singer happened to be heading to the White House to take part in President Barack Obama's second State Dinner.
Held in honor of Mexico's President Felipe Calderon and first lady Margarita Zavala, Beyonce will take the stage along with Mexican duo Rodrigo y Gabriela and the United States Marine Band.
Drawing plenty of star power, other attendees include "Desparate Housewives" actress Eva Longoria, the lovely Salma Hayek, and talk show hosts Oprah Winfrey and George Lopez.
- 5/20/2010
- GossipCenter
Glitz and glamour make a comeback at the White House tonight, as President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama host their second White House State Dinner, this time in honor of Mexican President Felipe Calderon and his wife Margarita Zavala. Exhaustive preparation has gone into this elegant tradition of celebrating diplomatic ties between the two countries -- and hopefully, no uninvited guests will crash the party (like the embarrassing spectacle of couple Tareq and Michaele Salahi at last year's soiree). Here's a rundown of the Obamas' lead-up events, and a preview of tonight's black-tie dinner...
- 5/19/2010
- Essence
First Lady Michelle Obama, on a kick to get kids eating healthy and exercising an hour each day, gave some Maryland 2nd-graders a peek inside her own girls' exercise routines - starting with Wii Fit. "Malia and Sasha have that, too!" Mrs. Obama enthused to a boy at New Hampshire Estates Elementary School in Silver Spring, Md., who said he plays the exercise video game at home. "At our house, we talk to our girls about exercise a lot," the First Lady continued. "One plays soccer, one plays basketball, they both play tennis. They go to the gym on a regular basis.
- 5/19/2010
- by Sandra Sobieraj Westfall
- PEOPLE.com
Mexico City -- Mexico has launched a $20-million tax incentive program in an ambitious move to draw large-scale runaway film and audiovisual productions.
Mexican President Felipe Calderon made the announcement Tuesday at Baja Studios in Baja California, Mexico, where James Cameron's "Titanic" and Peter Weir's "Master and Commander: Far Side of the World" were shot in the studio's colossal tanks. The president said the program intends to elevate Mexico as "the capital of Latin American cinema."
Managed by state-run film financing agency Imcine and Mexican trade and investment body ProMexico, the upstart program offers tax rebates of 7.5% on film productions that exceed the amount of 70 million pesos ($5.5 million). By Mexican standards, where the average budget runs about $2 million, that is considered a high-budget production.
To qualify, foreign shingles must contract local production services. Producers also can write off an additional 10% owed for Iva, Mexico's value-added tax.
"The message...
Mexican President Felipe Calderon made the announcement Tuesday at Baja Studios in Baja California, Mexico, where James Cameron's "Titanic" and Peter Weir's "Master and Commander: Far Side of the World" were shot in the studio's colossal tanks. The president said the program intends to elevate Mexico as "the capital of Latin American cinema."
Managed by state-run film financing agency Imcine and Mexican trade and investment body ProMexico, the upstart program offers tax rebates of 7.5% on film productions that exceed the amount of 70 million pesos ($5.5 million). By Mexican standards, where the average budget runs about $2 million, that is considered a high-budget production.
To qualify, foreign shingles must contract local production services. Producers also can write off an additional 10% owed for Iva, Mexico's value-added tax.
"The message...
- 3/9/2010
- by By John Hecht
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
MTV bosses have avoided a massive fine from Mexican authorities by scrapping the broadcast of a controversial episode of hit U.S. series South Park.
The animated installment, which pokes fun at Mexico's President, Felipe Calderon, was due to air in Spanish on Monday night on MTV's Latin American channel.
But the broadcast was cancelled at the last minute, with TV chiefs claiming they failed to apply for a special permit needed to feature an image of the Mexican flag, which appears in a scene with the president.
Mexican law protects the use of the country's national emblem, with heavy fines for those who break the rules.
A spokesman for MTV Mexico, Erick Zermeno, tells BBC News, "We decided not to alter the image because the reaction would have been worse."
He also revealed the episode will be shown in its entirety once MTV bosses receive the required permit.
In 2007, Mexican pop star Paulina Rubio was fined for appearing naked on the cover of a Spanish magazine draped in the flag.
The animated installment, which pokes fun at Mexico's President, Felipe Calderon, was due to air in Spanish on Monday night on MTV's Latin American channel.
But the broadcast was cancelled at the last minute, with TV chiefs claiming they failed to apply for a special permit needed to feature an image of the Mexican flag, which appears in a scene with the president.
Mexican law protects the use of the country's national emblem, with heavy fines for those who break the rules.
A spokesman for MTV Mexico, Erick Zermeno, tells BBC News, "We decided not to alter the image because the reaction would have been worse."
He also revealed the episode will be shown in its entirety once MTV bosses receive the required permit.
In 2007, Mexican pop star Paulina Rubio was fined for appearing naked on the cover of a Spanish magazine draped in the flag.
- 2/10/2010
- WENN
Mexico City -- Quentin Tarantino's "Inglourious Basterds" will open the seventh edition of the Morelia International Film Festival, adding a touch of international glory to a key platform for emerging Mexican talent.
Tarantino will present his latest picture in Morelia when the weeklong film fest kicks off Oct. 3. Festival director Daniela Michel said other confirmed guests include French filmmaker Bruno Dumont, newcomer actress Molly Windsor and Michael Fitzgerald, producer of Tommy Lee Jones' "The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada."
Romania will be the guest country of honor. "Tales From the Golden Age," a series of five shorts written by Romanian helmer Cristian Mungiu, will make its Mexico debut.
More than 80 films comprising Mexican features, documentaries and shorts will compete at this year's edition. Among the full-length fiction pictures in competition is Miguel Necoechea's boxing film "Chamaco," featuring Martin Sheen. Other notable titles include Rigoberto Perezcano's immigration drama...
Tarantino will present his latest picture in Morelia when the weeklong film fest kicks off Oct. 3. Festival director Daniela Michel said other confirmed guests include French filmmaker Bruno Dumont, newcomer actress Molly Windsor and Michael Fitzgerald, producer of Tommy Lee Jones' "The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada."
Romania will be the guest country of honor. "Tales From the Golden Age," a series of five shorts written by Romanian helmer Cristian Mungiu, will make its Mexico debut.
More than 80 films comprising Mexican features, documentaries and shorts will compete at this year's edition. Among the full-length fiction pictures in competition is Miguel Necoechea's boxing film "Chamaco," featuring Martin Sheen. Other notable titles include Rigoberto Perezcano's immigration drama...
- 9/24/2009
- by By John Hecht
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Comedian Ben Stiller is appealing to Mexican president Felipe Calderon to appoint him as a member of his government.
The Zoolander star's plea comes just a month after the actor allegedly cleansed his hands with anti-bacterial gel following a meeting in Washington, D.C. with Mexican reporters, which took place as the swine flu epidemic hit the headlines in May.
The disease is thought to have originated in Mexico City, and snaps of Stiller disinfecting himself after shaking hands with the journalists sparked fury among Mexicans.
But Stiller insists he meant no harm with his hygienic ritual and has dismissed the furore as a simple "misunderstanding".
And he is willing to make amends for the incident by working for Calderon's office, joking: "Maybe he can even give me a job."...
The Zoolander star's plea comes just a month after the actor allegedly cleansed his hands with anti-bacterial gel following a meeting in Washington, D.C. with Mexican reporters, which took place as the swine flu epidemic hit the headlines in May.
The disease is thought to have originated in Mexico City, and snaps of Stiller disinfecting himself after shaking hands with the journalists sparked fury among Mexicans.
But Stiller insists he meant no harm with his hygienic ritual and has dismissed the furore as a simple "misunderstanding".
And he is willing to make amends for the incident by working for Calderon's office, joking: "Maybe he can even give me a job."...
- 6/10/2009
- WENN
The president of Mexico has praised Britain's Queen Elizabeth for her "composure and wisdom". Felipe Calderon - who is in London for the G20 summit - gushed about the 82-year-old monarch in his speech at a state banquet held in his honour at Buckingham Palace last night (30.03.09). He said: "On this singular occasion I want to express my personal admiration for the composure and wisdom with which you have led the institutional life of England during the critical moments this great nation and the world have faced. "This country is also the cradle of economic thinking and free markets that today also permit the sharing of ideas and scientific progress. "The world would not be the same without the...
- 3/31/2009
- Monsters and Critics
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.