As the villagers of Lake Pátzcuaro lovingly clean and prepare the graves with beautiful handmade ofrendas, blankets of marigolds, special foods–they prepare for a shared remembrance called Día de los Muertos: Day of the Dead. They shoot rockets into the heavens to awaken the departed souls and call them home. More tone poem than traditional documentary, Calling Home the Dead transports the viewer in a compelling celebration of the continuity of life and the enduring love of family and friends. Images saturated with color and life join a magical soundtrack of original and local music; and a window is opened to another world.
DIRECTED & EDITED BY JIM HILL •  PRODUCED BY MEESH RHEAULT MILLER
CAMERA & WRITING: BY JIM HILL & MEESH RHEAULT MILLER
ORIGINAL MUSIC: DUSTIN MILLER • AUDIO SWEETENING: BOB SCHWENKLER
TRANSLATION & NARRATION: PATRICIA VÁSQUEZ • NARRATION AUDIO: KAI TILLMAN
STILL PHOTOGRAPHY: DUSTIN MILLER • ANNA MAITLAND • MEESH RHEAULT MILLER
INTERPRETER: ANNA MAITLAND • FILMED ENTIRELY ON LOCATION IN AND
AROUND LAKE PÁTZCUARO IN MICHOÁCAN, MEXICO