A perfect crisp Fall evening was the backdrop for this year’s Community Builders of Kansas City (CBKC) Community Movie Night. For the fifth consecutive year, the organization teamed up with Starlight Theatre to host a magical free movie night under the stars. This year’s event, held on September 7, featured the Disney/Pixar film Coco.
More than 3,500 people turned out for the sold-out event with pre-movie entertainment including larger than life puppet characters in honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month, a performance by Mariachi Flor de Missouri, crafts for the kids and free resources for parents. Other partners for the event were Ethnic Enrichment Commission, Kansas City Greek Picnic, Kansas City Parks and Recreation, Lakeside Nature Center, Southeast Community Center and Stone Lion Puppet Theatre.
Coco is a 2017 animated film that tells the story of a young boy named Miguel who dreams of becoming a musician, despite his family’s generations-long ban on music. Set in Mexico, the film revolves around Miguel’s accidental journey to the Land of the Dead during the Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration.
In the Land of the Dead, Miguel meets his deceased relatives and makes an unexpected friend in a charming rogue named Héctor. Together, they set out on a journey to discover the truth behind Miguel’s family’s ban on music and learn the history of his great-great-grandfather.
The film explores themes of family, heritage and the importance of remembering loved ones who have passed away, while celebrating Mexican culture and the traditions of Día de los Muertos. Coco has been praised for its emotional depth, vibrant animation and beautiful soundtrack, including the Oscar-winning song “Remember Me.”