Day of the Dead & Spectre
Day of the Dead Mexico City
Have you seen a Day of the Dead parade? Have you visited Mexico City for the Day of the Dead?
Catrina at Gran Hotel de la Ciudad de México
Ofrenda at Gran Hotel de la Ciudad de México
in the Historic Center of Mexico City
Dia de los Muertos en la Ciudad de México
Spectre
Have you visited a place? Then later on, a movie is released. And, it has scenes of the places you visited.
Well, about twelve months after I visited Mexico City. Spectre was released. In the opening scenes of Spectre, James Bond is played by Daniel Craig. He walks through the Historic Center of Mexico dressed as a skeleton.
Day of the Dead Mexico City Parade
In the midst of a Day of the Dead parade, he struts. People have their faces painted and are dressed up in costumes, like skeletons and Catrina. Since the movie, there's been parade for the Day of the Dead in Mexico City. When we were there, it did not exist. It's usually held on 2nd November.
Gran Hotel de la Ciudad de México
Then, he enters a historical hotel. It's the Gran Hotel de la Ciudad de México (Gran Hotel of Mexico City)/ You can visit this hotel, too. In the hotel, an altar is setup in the foyer decorated with offerings for the Day of the Dead.
Gran Hotel
Tolsa Square ~ Plaza Manuel Tolsá
Calle de Tacuba Bronze sculpture of King Charles IV (Estatua Eucestre de Carlos IV)
National Palace
Zócalo
Zócalo
The Zócalo is the Plaza de la Constitucion. It is a square in the Historic Center of Mexico City (Centro Histórico). Whilst I was there, they were setting up giant marquees for an event.
Some buildings and historical sites around the square are:
- Cathedral Metropolitan of Mexico City (Catedral Metropolitana de la Ciudad de México
- National Palace (Palacio Nacional)
- Templo Mayor (Museo Templo Mayor)
- Gran Hotel (Gran Hotel de la Ciudad de México)
Cathedral Metropolitan of Mexico City
Templo Mayor
Ofrenda Outside and Inside the Cathedral Metropolitan of Mexico City
Outside the Cathedral, you can see the offerings.
You can see the decorated altars inside the Cathedral.
Ofrendas
Walk around the Historic Center. You will see Ofrendas.
Ofrendas are altars decorated with offerings for the departed.
Catrinas
You will see people walking around dressed as Catrina.
In shops, you can see decorations of Catrina.
Map of Zócalo in the Historic Center of Mexico City
4 Day of the Dead Films in Mexico
(Please Note: Links to the below mentioned videos are not possible)
Spectre ~ 2015
In Spectre, James Bond is played by Daniel Craig. The opening scene starts with the Day of the Dead.
Filming locations are seen in the Historic Center of Mexico City.
The trailer 'SPECTRE Day of the Dead celebrations' on the James Bond 007 YouTube channel shows the opening scene of the movie.
And, on the same channel, there is 'SPECTRE vlog features Day of the Dead Festival'. It has behind the scenes about the filming of Spectre.
Have you seen Spectre?
Coco ~ 2017
Coco is a Disney Pixar animated movie about the Day of the Dead. In Spanish, it's known as Dia de los Muertos.
You have to be willing to do whatever it takes to seize your moment. ~ De la Cruz to Coco
On the Disney Plus channel see 'How Coco Honors Dia de los Muertos Disney+ which shows the background culture. The video shows the correlation between Coco and the Day of the Dead.
Watch it to learn about its culture and tradition.
Symbols of the Day of the Dead like food of Pan de Muertos and sugar skulls, music, marigolds, face painting, altars of offerings, paper punched with holes, and celebrations in cemeteries.
Then, watch the trailer 'Coco Official Final Trailer' on the Pixar channel.
Have you seen Coco?
Once Upon a Time in Mexico ~ 2003
During Once Upon a Time in Mexico, there is a Day of the Dead parade.
The Sony Picture Home Entertainment channel shows the offiical trailer of 'Once Upon a Time in Mexico (2003).
It stars Antonio Banderas, Johnny Depp, and Salma Hayek.
Desperado is the preceding movie before Once Upon a Time in Mexico.
Have you seen Once Upon a Time in Mexico or Desperado?
Book of Life ~ 2014
I saw Book of Life at City Walk in Universal Studios Hollywood in the year it was released.
Write Your Own Story ~ the Candle Maker
The Fox Family Entertainment channel has two trailers. The first is 'The Book of Life Official Trailer'.
And, the second one is 'The Book of Life Trailer'.
Whilst on a walk around Mexico City. I saw the poster for El Libro de la Vida (Book of Life).
Have you seen Book of Life?
Mexico City Travels
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It is such an interesting holiday filled with both pagan and Christian beliefs! They certainly make the most of it! What an exciting time to visit.
Thank you, Tricia. It’s interesting how the different beliefs have combined together in the Day of the Dead.
I love everything about the day of the dead! Especially the colors!
Thank you Lisa.
You chose a great time to visit! It’s definitely a colorful place and that would take it to the next level.
Definitely! Thank you Bernie & Jess
I love the idea of experiencing traditional celebrations like Day of the Dead! What a way to travel like a local.
Thank you Julie. I like to travel and experience the culture, too.
There’s so much rich culture and tradition in Mexico for Day of the Dead. I would really enjoy visiting for this!
Thank you Kendra. Hope you get to visit on the Day of the Dead
Loved all of the colorful pictures!
Thank you Lindsey
There are things that people do for the day of the dead here in Tucson, AZ but never realize of how much do. Great article.
Thank you Shayne. Sounds like it’d be interesting to visit Tucson to experience the Day of the Dead.
Dia de Muertos/Day of the Dead is one of my son and my favorite holidays. It also is the celebration that helped me through my father’s grief and through my fear of death! I first experienced it in Mexico City , then in Oaxaca, followed by Los Angeles and most recently Georgia. Love your post.
Thank you Jean for sharing your experience with Day of the Dead. I can understand how it helps to come to terms with death. I’ve read about Oaxaca as a destination to experience.
Great post! Such an interesting celebration. We have never experienced Day of the Dead before (except in movies!).
Thank you Marianne. Yes, it’s an interesting culture to experience.
Day of the Dead would be so cool in Mexico City!
Thank you, Lisa
Beautiful grand hotel photos. Love it