At street level
A walk through Colonia Roma, the picturesque hipster haven of Mexico City.
The more alternative of travellers will be drawn in by the seductive siren songs of this historic district of Mexico City
In 2018, the feature film Roma made history. Written, directed and produced by the Mexican Alfonso Cuarón, the film won the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival and three Oscars at the Academy Awards, including Best Director. What makes this feat even more unique is that Roma was origi
nally distributed on Netflix. That's to say, outside of the usual film circuit.
Shot in black and white, the script for this nostalgic coming-of-age tale is full of autobiographical elements from the filmmaker's childhood. The title itself refers to Colonia Roma, the area of Mexico City where Cuarón grew up.
Even today in Colonia Roma, many remnants can still be seen of the neighbourhood built by the local wealthy classes between the late 19th and early 20th centuries, inspired by the European urban trends of the time, such as tree-lined avenues, modernist facades and neoclassical mansions. After a period of decline in the mid-20th century, the neighbourhood has now evolved to become one of the city's main cultural hubs. Colonia Roma is now the de facto hangout for local hipsters. Behind its stately patina are some of the most transgressive artistic centres in the capital, one of which is Casa Lamm. This lively cultural centre occupies a mansion that dates back to 1911. In addition to exhibitions, Casa Lamm offers a multitude of cultural courses and workshops, some with such unsettling names as "Drawing with the right brain."
Any traveller wanting to take a walk through Mexico City's most alternative side will already know which way to go.