SIFF Sighting: THE MEXICAN SUITCASE (Documentary, Mexico)

What if your work or work of art at the height of your career went missing only to turn up five decades later?

That's what happened to three photographers who shot 126 rolls of film during the Spanish Civil War. And though the photojournalists are no longer with us, their haunting images of that time survived completely intact in a Mexican closet. How they got from France (which is where they were last seen) to Mexico remains a mystery.

The three boxes that were found were nicknamed "The Mexican Suitcase," and that's where this illuminating documentary gets its name.

Aside from showing countless images from the boxes (now restored and safely residing at The International Center of Photography), the film tells the stories behind photographers David “Chim” Seymour, Gerda Taro, and Robert Capa.

What's great about the narrative is that even if you're not a history buff, or particularly fascinated by photography, the story is rich and presented in a beautiful way.

It's essentially a time capsule brought to life.

The Mexican Suitcase will screen at the 38th Annual Seattle International Film Festival. For tickets, visit the SIFF website.