It's brain versus brawn in sunny Cuba. There’s a first time for everyone, even for the legendary Mexican luchador and the masked mascot of our festival Santo. And do we have a treat for you this year! Cerebro del Mal marks the feature-film debut of our beloved hero and role model, who would continue to battle monsters and evildoers of all stripes in dozens of films over more than two decades. Released in 1961, it was produced around 1958 in pre-revolution Cuba. After Castro came to power, the filmmakers were forced to flee the country with the unprocessed 35 mm negative being smuggled out inside a coffin. In the film Santo takes on an evil scientist, who wants to use a hypnotizing machine to steal scientific secrets and sell them to international bidders. He even tries to turn Santo into his henchman. Not for long, Dr. Campos!
