Quema Judas: A Mexican Folk Tradition.

Reviewed by Rafael Ocasio, Agnes Scott Coll., Decatur, GA -- Críticas, 8/15/2008

(U.S., 2007) color. Spanish (English subtitles). 47 mins. Films for the Humanities and Sciences. 2007. DVD. $129.95 DOCUMENTARY

The Quema Judas (“Burning Judas”)  are devil figures, made of paper and produced by Mexican popular artisans, that serve as an important component of Holy Week celebrations in San Luis de Potosí. Originally meant to represent Judas, the apostle who betrayed Jesus Christ, the figures are burned on Holy Saturday in a popular celebration. Made of traditional materials, in a process similar to that of the piñata, the judas are today shaped in many forms, including life-size figures representative of politicians and international terrorists (President Bush and Bin Laden are frequent sources of inspiration). The documentary presents a number of artisans who comment on their work and their sources of inspiration. Although burning the judas is still symbolic, most artisans insist that the act shows people’s desire to rid themselves of evil—bad politicians, dreadful diseases, or natural disasters. Older artisans express opposition to the use of nontraditional materials or to the inclusion of surrealist figures. Another important component of the celebrations is the burning of these figures by means of cohetes, fireworks made in the area by people who take pride in their ability to make any of these figures explode and catch fire at once. This documentary includes remarkable shots of the making of the judas and very colorful scenes of burning the figures in San Luis de Potosí’s Plaza de Armas. Highly recommended for collections on Mexican and Latin American popular folk and religious celebrations.