Six years after her Oscar nomination for her performance in Roma, Yalitza Aparicio returns to film with the short film En la quietud de la noche. The Oaxaca-born actress stars in this project that pays homage to Mexico’s Day of the Dead tradition and explores the spiritual connection between generations.
Directed by Arístides Mantilla, the film had a special screening at the Morelia International Film Festival (FICM) 2025, marking the beginning of its festival tour.
In “En la quietud de la noche”, Yalitza plays Frida, a mother who awaits the birth of a new family member while trying to transmit to her son – played by Leonardo Nájar Márquez – the value of Mexican customs.
The cast also includes Jesús Ochoa (in the role of grandfather Rubén) and Memo Villegas as father Mateo.
The plot is set in the region of San Andrés Tuxtla and Catemaco, in Veracruz, and revolves around the boy’s desire to meet his deceased grandfather during the night of the Day of the Dead, despite his father’s skepticism. Director Mantilla said the story is inspired by a personal childhood memory: “A father who doesn’t believe in the Day of the Dead, a mother who does, and a child who wants to believe,” he said.
Filming took place in San Andrés Tuxtla, Veracruz, where the Day of the Dead tradition has deep roots, which adds authenticity to the short film.
Yalitza Aparicio’s motivation
Yalitza Aparicio expressed that she accepted the project because of its symbolic and spiritual charge, while at the same time connecting with her Oaxacan identity. “As a Oaxacan, I connect a lot with the celebration of the Night of the Dead… at home it is something sacred,” she said during her presentation at FICM.
To achieve a believable on-screen dynamic with the child actor, Yalitza said she spent time with Leonardo Nájar off-camera to build mutual trust: “We tried to play so he would feel comfortable, he’s a very intelligent child… on stage we just had to follow his energy,” she said.
The short film premiered at the 23rd edition of FICM, scheduled for October 15, 2025 at Cinépolis Centro during the festival.
Although it has been referred to as a “tape” in some sources, the official file classifies it as a short film of 12 to 15 minutes in length.
Director Mantilla clarified that “it is not the live-action of Coco”, in reference to the Disney animated film set on the Day of the Dead, emphasizing that the work represents Mexican tradition in its authenticity, with social and family values.
With this project, Yalitza reinforces her commitment to national cinema and to stories that reflect the richness of Mexican traditions. By joining her talent with a young team like Aristides Mantilla’s, the actress affirms the importance of making new directors visible: “I love working with new talents who have a lot of passion,” she said.
“In the Stillness of the Night” then emerges as a work that goes beyond a simple Day of the Dead narrative: it is a reflection on memory, family and ties that transcend time, celebrated in a current cinematic context.
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