Why everyone should be excited about the new Disney movie Coco
At the end of the month, something new will come over the counters of Disney that will make you want to book a ticket to Mehico – a.k.a. Mexico, fairly quickly after watching the trailer. The new baby from Pixar is called Coco, which takes place in a small village in Mexico and tells the story of a boy named Miguel who wants to follow in the footsteps of his great hero Ernesto De La Cruz. During his journey, he ends up in the Land of the Dead, where his love for music and also for his family increases. Coco is actually also an ode to the beautiful Mexico, and this is why you will want to see this film soon:
It gives you a glimpse into the Mexican holiday ‘Dia de los Muertos’ (Day of the Dead)
A two-day holiday that takes place every year in November. Coco shows various customary activities of this festival and the different ways to honor deceased family members.
Something with a hairless dog
Miguel's other companion is the hairless dog Dante, also known as a Xoloitzcuintli – the Mexican hairless dog. In the far, far past, these dogs were buried with their owners to guide them to the ‘underworld’, and since then they have always been known as the national dog of the country.
Mexican art is also discussed
In the film, Miguel searches for Ernesto De La Cruz after discovering that his hero turns out to be a distant relative. If I say it correctly, this is a common theme in the Mexican Aztec art world – the idea of a quest for the family you descend from.
A homage to the legendary Frida Kahlo
Okay, a tiny homage, but also a significant icon of the country's history.
The popular Mexican alebrijes come into view
These are the brightly colored, well, how shall I call them, imaginative animals that have been part of Mexican traditions for years. A tradition that actually originated from the artist Pedro Linares, who dreamed of being surrounded by magical animals.
The actors
If you watch the English version, you have the brilliant Gael García Bernal (you might remember him from the film Babel) who plays the role of Hector, Miguel's companion, in both films, and in the Netherlands, you have Thijs Overspelt, the The Voice Kids finalist, who after voicing Nemo in Finding Dory has now voiced Miguel.
In short, fun for the little ones, but certainly also for the older audience, and from November 29, it will be in theaters in the Netherlands.
