by Eydie Mendoza
(United States Premiere) Mexico
Imagine having your pension taken away because of a governmental budgetary deficit, being over 90 years old, and the provider for you and your spouse. Appropriately titled, El empiezo del tiempo (The Beginning of Time is Spanish with English subtitles) is about how Toño (Antonio Pérez Carbajal) and Bertha (Bertha Olivia Ramírez) handle their situation that for most us seems futile.
The government stopped paying pensions leaving the retired Toño and his wife Bertha with very little hope, the director Bernardo Arellano captures the lives of this aging community of friends, as romantic, modest, and hopeful as they persevere through their struggles.
Toño and Bertha give a great performance, as the very much in love and passionate couple in this film.
Arellano speaks for those without a voice in The Beginning of Time. Experience the struggles of our elders, our parents, … our loved ones in this endearing film.
Don’t miss this beautiful and enlightening film for the entire family. If you missed the premiere of El empiezo del tiempo (The Beginning of Time) on Thursday, March 3, Cinequest Film Festival is scheduled to show it on Saturday, March 5 and Tuesday, March 8, but check the guide for updates times and location http://www.cinequest.org.
Eydie Mendoza has worked with underserved and underrepresented communities as a bilingual educator and counselor assisting families, care providers, teachers, youth and adults in pursuing their dreams for a better education and life within her roles at National Council of La Raza, Art Center College of Design in Pasadena and College of the Redwoods in Eureka. She is a former SVL Editor-in-Chief of SVLatino.com and a former San Jose Pride Board Member. With membership to the Luna Park Business Association, the Latina Success Network, and a team member of the Silicon Valley Latino Leadership Summit, she is currently the Social Media and Website Coordinator for Santa Clara County Public Health and web producer for her own business EMpresenta.