Few films truly earn the adjective "relentless," but Gerardo Naranjo's "Miss Bala," about the encounter of a would-be beauty queen with a cartel and her struggles to survive the ensuing, violent 48 hours, reaches almost unbearable levels of tension. Naranjo composes his film with impeccably choreographed single takes keeping Laura, the protagonist, in the center of the action at all times, thus throwing the viewer into the maelstrom right alongside her. And when the terror is just about intolerable, the film builds to a glorious moment of dark humor that allows the audience the release of the most nervous kind of laughter.
It is fitting that this moment comes in the middle of a beauty pageant, as Naranjo's film uses the competition - nominally a celebration of beauty - to comment on the effects of the narcotics business in contemporary Mexico. In the middle of a drug war, no party is innocent.
A short introduction to the film will be given prior to showing it, and after the presentation you are welcome to stay for a discussion.

Other dates this fall:
• Friday, October 12th
• Thursday, November 8th
• Thursday, November 29th
Some films are adult in nature and may not be appropriate for young audiences.