Most visitors to Guanajuato go to the Mercado Hidalgo to have a look at the 100-year-old French-designed structure where food stalls, produce and souvenirs abound. Nowadays, if you look carefully, you will see Reyna Julieta Torres Martinez. What, a woman detective selling candy but really watching for pickpockets and thieves? No, it's the other way around. Reyna's day job is at the market but she auditioned for the detective role in Heli, passed through the two audition rounds and the rest is history or stardust. Her next stop, Mexico City on August 6 with director Amat Escalante for the movie's premiere in a commercial theater. Audiences at the Guanajuato International Film Festival have already seen Heli. Escalante triumphed as the best director this year at Cannes.
I wish I had a photo of Reyna to post but look for a short-haired woman, amply endowed, likely to be busy selling candy. If you haven't seen Heli, it is scheduled for the Cinemex Theater at Pozuelos this week as well as a free showing on the University steps during the Cervantino.