From Mayan myths to the silver screen
It wasn't until 2012 that the first film entirely shot and produced in Belize hit the screens. Part comedy, part thriller, 2012: The Curse of Xtabai revisits Mayan myths with a result that, while not bluffing or revolutionary, is nonetheless crisp. And with good reason: when a sealed ancient Mayan vault is forced open, releasing the demon Xtabai, ready to wreak havoc on the world and destroy all civilization. He begins by infecting the inhabitants of a nearby village with a terrible, deadly fever, zombie-style, prompting the government to seal off the area. A team of students, accompanied by their teacher, decide to give it their all and head into the jungle in search of a cure... A pitch worthy of the best B horror films, with effective direction by Quebecer Matthiew Klinck. Sadly, this was to be his last film. The filmmaker was murdered in front of his home in 2016, under unclear circumstances, while working as a producer on the Mad Dogs series, shot in part in Belize by Amazon Studios.
In parallel with this rather commercial first production, other local filmmakers are moving more towards auteur cinema, through short films. Leon Lozano, an American-born Belizean, decides to return to his roots when his father dies. A touching drama in bluish atmospheres, which has won over festival programmers. With series in the pipeline, dramas in production and new talent on the rise, Belize will soon be able to make its mark on cinema in Central America and around the world. An industry sure to benefit from the region's myths and legends, as well as its magnificent landscapes and rich history.
Brigitte Bardot, mosquitoes and aliens
Without realizing it, you may be following in the footsteps of the great French actress as you stroll along the sandy beaches of Belize. Indeed, Brigitte Bardot filmed there with Lino Ventura in Boulevard du Rhum, a somewhat forgotten nugget of 1970s French cinema. Set against the idyllic backdrop of the Caribbean, the two actors played, respectively, a rum-runner and a movie star during the Prohibition years. A film marked by its time, itself dealing with epic adventures from a bygone era.
In 1986, Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren took to the jungles of Belize for Peter Weir's American drama The Mosquito Coast, in which Allie Fox, a father disillusioned with the United States, took his wife and children to Honduras to start all over again, far from civilization. Although most of the film was shot in the USA, Belize City and the Haulover Creek are recognizable at several points in the story. An easier choice for the filmmakers, at a time when relations between Honduras and the United States made shooting difficult. A critical and commercial failure on release, The Mosquito Coast fortunately did not harm its director or cast. A few years later, Peter Weir would direct the legendary Dead Poets Society, while Harrison Ford would return to the roles that had made him such a success, notably Indiana Jones and Han Solo. According to the star, The Mosquito Coast was one of his best acting experiences.
In the late 2000s, a completely different style of production arrived in Belize: the monster movie. Following in the footsteps of the first local productions, several low-budget shoots took place in the country. Studio Asylum, which specializes in the parody of Hollywood blockbusters, makes several of its films in Belize. 2012: Doomsday (2008), Mega Piranha (2009), Alien Origin (2012) and Jurassic Attack (2013) make no secret of their main sources of inspiration. And for fans of the genre, these are nuggets to treasure. If, on the other hand, you have no affinity with the Z series, you'll have to pass, or take an intrigued but casual look.
Far more interesting is British director Gareth Edwards' debut feature Monsters (2010). In this sci-fi thriller, you'll travel through the jungles of Belize as two individuals attempt to cross an alien-infected zone, six years after an invasion that ravaged the Earth. Part survival film, part low-budget indie, Monsters plays with atmosphere to create an impressive climate of tension. The critics recognized this success, crowning the director with the prestigious Saturn Award for best science-fiction film of the year in 2011. Gareth Edwards has since pursued a highly successful career in Hollywood, directing Godzilla (2015) with Bryan Cranston and Elizabeth Olsen, and the impressive Rogue One (2017), a fan-favorite spin-off of the Star Wars saga.
Finally, Belize's landscapes have attracted filmmakers from both the big and small screens. In the shade of the palm trees, several seasons of the sultry series Temptation Island have played out, as have hectic episodes of the adventure series The Amazing Race, a TV game show now in its thirty-fourth season! Enough to make you discover the beauty of the country before you've even set foot on its soil, and already put adventure in your skin and stars in your eyes.
Experience cinema in Belize
North of Belize City, you'll have the opportunity to discover one of the country's oldest cinemas, the Princess Cinema in San Pedro. In operation for over fifty years, the cinema welcomes you inside the casino of the same name. In 2010, the Paradise Theater, with its eccentric, colorful Art Deco-inspired architecture, was added to the offering. Here you'll see the latest American and international blockbusters. For cinephiles looking for local or Latin American productions, the Belize International Film Festival takes place in November, an annual event split between Belmopan and San Ignacio, where you can indulge your desire for cinematic discoveries.
