My Mexican Shivah (2007)

In the heartwarming film "My Mexican Shivah," the passing of a man ignites a vibrant celebration of his complicated existence. The narrative, set against the backdrop of eclectic Mexico City, follows the Jewish tradition that from birth, each individual is accompanied by two celestial beings: an angel of light and an angel of darkness. With the demise of 75-year-old Moishe, his family and friends unite to honor him through shivah, the 7-day Jewish mourning ritual. Throughout the proceedings, the ethereal guardians, named Aleph and Bet, keep a watchful eye. These divine bookkeepers, perceptible only to the viewer's gaze, calculate which of them will guide Moishe's soul to the afterlife, with the odds stacked against Moishe from the outset. Amidst this spiritual journey, human dramas unfold. A member of the Sacred Funeral Society, or Chevreman, capitalizes on the family's grief, selling them overpriced shivah goods. Moishe's daughter Esther, grappling with her own insecurities, crumbles under the weight of her father's death, while his son Ricardo navigates his own romantic turbulence. However, it's not just family; Moishe's friends, harboring their own ulterior motives, join the mourning. Among them is Julia Palafox, the infamous mistress who once lured Moishe away from his family, adding another layer of complexity to the proceedings. As the shivah unfolds, the real question emerges: which angel will claim Moishe's soul? The answer lies in the heart of the shivah itself, a testament to a life lived in all its imperfect glory. Through love, loss, and laughter, "My Mexican Shivah" paints a vivid portrait of a flawed man whose spirit touched those around him in unforgettable ways.

My Mexican Shivah is a comedy movie featuring Blanca Guerra.

My Mexican Shivah is currently streaming on Chai Flicks.