In mid-90s America, radio waves were clogged with impassioned blockages -- most of which wouldn't hold with time. Meanwhile, a 2,000 mile fence was being built to further separate America from an increasingly tumultuous Mexico, causing a historically unprecedented number of deaths via border crossing. Somebody, turn up the Gin Blossoms?
Walled off to the south were four men with instruments. Their band Molotov was surrounded by frictional struggle. The powerful PRI's mission wasn't the same as its citizens, the peso was devalued, the government censored dissent and Zapatistas fist-pumped for change.
That's when Molotov found its voice, and used it to demand a new Mexico.
Their ode to redistribution, "Gimmie Tha Power" was censored, along with most every other musical thumb to the nose they attempted to release, so the group packed up the gear and shipped off to Spain. Over their 15 year career Molotov moved back home, picked up four Latin Grammys, documented the churning unrest within Mexico, and even dropped a song on the soundtrack of Cuarón's racy classic, Y Tu Mamá También.
Filmmaker and rock music critic Olallo Rubio grew up absorbing these anthems. He's got a new documentary, Gimmie The Power, that uses Molotov's story and music to reflect what went unseen on this side of the wall both at the height of their fame and the time leading up to it. Filed under Deep Ellum Sounds, it's a banner film for DIFF's Latino Day (Sunday, April 7), and it has company from other Latin American works: 7 Boxes, Clandestine Childhood, Man from the Future, Post Tenebras Lux. and the Spanish-born Blancanieves.
Drummer Randall Ebright (Randy, El Gringo Loco) and vocalist/bassist Juan Francisco Ayala Gonzalez (Paco), will be present for Sunday's 5:30 screening and participate in a Q&A. Later, the show moves over to DADA for a proper takeover. Expect firedancers, live music, artists (handled by Edgar Cardoze and Daniel Munoz) and even some remixed, amped up rock 'n' roll, courtesy of Molotov's Randy and Ayala. Tickets for the party cost $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Get 'em here.
