Muerte Es Vida

Muerte Es Vida (Death is Life) is a documentary about the connection between death and nature. The film’s central Mexican character, Sabino, believes the Monarch butterflies that arrive every year are the souls of departed family coming back to visit as they arrive in time for Day of the Dead after an epic journey from Canada and the Northern United States. The Monarch butterfly and it’s migration is the connection between the film’s characters. It also serves as our reason to be in Mexico for Day of the Dead, experiencing an often unseen side of Mexican culture as we spend it in true indigenous ­style with Sabino and his wife. Leading to this, we are told stories of hope from Canada to Mexico. From the Bishes in Ohio who were given a glimmer of hope on the day of their son’s funeral by a hatching chrysalis, to Detective Amadeo Pulley in New York City who saw hundred of Monarchs at Ground Zero, to Clive ­ as far away as England­ who saw a Monarch at the same time a young friend crashed her car. This film gives us a glimpse into authentic Mexico, as well as the determination of both these butterflies and these people to persevere through life.