• Discussant: Teodora Mihai (director).
• In Spanish with English subtitles.
• 240 minutes.

Inspired by true events, La Civil by Mexican director Teodora Mihai tells the story of Cielo, a mother in search of her daughter, abducted by a criminal gang in Northern Mexico. As the authorities fail to offer support in the search, Cielo takes matters into her own hands. She begins her own investigation and earns the trust and sympathy of Lamarque, an unconventional army lieutenant based in the region. He agrees to help Cielo because her research data could be useful to his own investigations. Cielo’s collaboration with Lamarque pulls her further into a vicious cycle of violence. The film focuses on Cielo’s emotional rollercoaster, as she is drawn into increasingly dangerous circumstances. The camera stays close, we never lose sight of her as she gradually transforms from a housewife into an avenging activist. As events unfold, she gets closer to the truth: discovering a mass grave, obtaining official DNA analyses, and confronting one of the presumed kidnappers, but corruption and apathy keep her from finding a resolution. Until the end finally comes, unpredictable and uninvited.

CineCulture is a film series provided as a service to Fresno State campus students, faculty and staff, and the broader community. CineCulture is also offered as a three-unit academic course (MCJ 179) in the Media, Communications and Journalism Department. The CineCulture Club promotes cultural awareness through film and post-screening discussions.

Screenings are held at 5:30 p.m. on Fridays in the Peters Education Center Auditorium (west of Save-Mart Center in the Student Recreation Center Building). All films screened on campus are free and open to the public. Parking is free (not enforced) after 4 p.m. on Fridays.