Denise Richards has brilliantly captured the confluence of a deep and ancient Mexican tradition (the Day of the Dead celebration), and a very present and dramatic awareness of death through AIDS and the memory-keeping of the dear lost ones. This is not only an excellent ethnographic piece of work, but also a keen filmic perception of the passing of time and the changes in our culture.
Jorge Ruffinelli, Director, Center for Latin American Studies, Stanford University

A marvelous document of the human spirit asserting its' immortality. When dealing with grief, we have so few actual tools, ways in which to address or express our grief that result in some healing. The altar provides such a tool.
Kairos House, San Francisco

Great video, lively, accessible to middle school students. It presents a clear picture of what an altar is and how to make one. It inspired many of my students to make their own.
Carla Bazan, teacher, King Middle School, Berkeley

I feel it covered the fearful issue of death in a non-threatening way. I would use this altar with groups in a combined effort to make an altar as part of their therapeutic process.
Anne O'Brian, Bereavement Coordinator, Hospice by the Bay, San Francisco

Calaveras provides a positive outlet for grief and an avenue for closure in the grieving process. Calaveras should be of great interest to all those working in the field of bereavement counseling.
Nanette Gartrell, M.D., Associate Clinical Professor, UCSF

A moving and powerful film that brings a much needed message to a society that has largely lost our rituals around loss and grief.
Dale Borglum, The Living/Dying Project, Fairfax, CA