“Ulama: The Game of Life & Death,” an award winning documentary which explores the origins of a Pre-Columbian ball game still played today, is presented at the Museum of Ventura County on Saturday, October 13, at 2:00 p.m., followed by a question and answer session with filmmaker Roberto Rochín of Mexico City. Admission is $5, $3 for students and seniors, museum members free. Price includes entry to all museum exhibits, including Social Resurrection, featuring ceramic vessels by Richard Flores that reflect the teaching of the ancient Maya.

Ulama is still pursued today in the Mexican state of Sinaloa, and the film details the history and significance of this still existing link between pre-Hispanic and modern Mexico. The documentary delves into the ritualistic origins of a game once played to the death, as well as its symbolism and representations in mythology and the visual arts. It also highlights the game courts found by archaeologists and the way the game is currently played. The 110-minute film is in Spanish with English subtitles.

“Ulama” received five Ariel Awards from the Mexican Academy ofFilm, including best feature length documentary and cinematography. Director, writer, and producer Rochín is a director at Motion Control Mexico, and his film work includes documentaries, animation and visual effects.

The Museum of Ventura County is located at 100 East Main Street in downtown Ventura. Hours are 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Admission to the exhibitions is $4 adults, $3 seniors, $1 children 6-17, members and children under 6 are free. The first Sundays of every month are free general admission for the public. For more museum information go to www.venturamuseum.org or call 805-653-0323.