Latin American Film Festival continues through Oct. 9
By hola | Published | 2 Comments
The Latin American Film Festival is heading into its two final weeks at the AFI Silver Spring cinema. The festival, which runs through Oct. 9, features 44 films from 21 countries including some of the best recent films to come out of Latin America, Spain and Portugal. Several of the filmmakers will be on hand for Q&As and special receptions.
Here are HC’s top picks among the films still to be screened:
The German Doctor (Wakolda)
Special presentation: Sat., Sept. 28, 7:15 p.m.
Also playing Mon., Sept. 30, 7 p.m.
This Argentine film, set in Patagonia in 1960, tells the story of infamous Nazi criminal Josef Mengele (Àlex Brendemühl), living under the alias Helmut Gregor. In the film, Mengele travels with an Argentine family to open a hotel. Unaware of Mengele’s true identity, the family accepts him. But eventually they discover his secret. The thriller, based loosely on the true story, was a selection at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival. AFI presents this film in conjunction with the Washington Jewish Film Festival.
Once Upon a Time in Bolivia (Erase una vez en Bolivia)
Special Presentation: Sat., Sept. 28, 7:15 p.m. Q&A with filmmaker Patrick Cordova and producer Nahuel Attar
Shot on a micro budget by Patrick Cordova in dangerous slums, deserts and remote villages, Once Upon a Time in Bolivia tells the story of two half-brothers during the 2003 gas conflict. The brothers, Rocky and Nene are forced to put their differences aside as they race to the Chilean border before it is closed. This Bolivian film features a cast of non-professional actors and won the award for Best International Feature at the London Independent Film Festival.
Pánico: The Band That Met the Sound Beneath (La banda que buscó el sonido debajo)
Wed., Oct. 2, 7:30 p.m.
Q&A with filmmaker James June Schneider
This Chilean documentary follows the ban Pánico in 2010 when they explored the desert of northern Chile while recording an album. In the desert, the band members experience the unique sounds of the north as well as a major earthquake, which changes their perspective. The film was the Official Selection of the 2013 BAFICI Film Festival.
The Dead Man and Being Happy (El muerto y ser feliz)
Special presentation Fri., Oct. 4, 7 p.m.
Q&A with filmmaker Javier Rebollo and reception
also playing Wed., Oct. 9, 6:30 p.m.
This Spanish film by Javier Rebollo follows the story of cancer-stricken hitman Santos (José Sacristán), who flakes out on an assignment, escapes from a hospital bed in Buenos Aires, and heads north to Bolivia. Along the way, Alejandra (Lisa Caligaris) impulsively jumps in the car with Santos and joins him. Their journey is filmed against the backdrop of beautiful Argentine landscapes and passes through several decrepit resort towns. Sacristán won Best Actor at the 2012 Goya Awards, Spain’s equivalent to the Oscars. The film was part of the Official Selection at the 2012 San Sebastian and New York film festivals, as well as the 2013 Rotterdam and Karlovy Vary Film Festivals.
Who is Dayani Cristal?
Closing Weekend Special Presentation: Oct. 5, 7 p.m.
This Mexican film tells the story of U.S. forensic scientists trying to solve the mystery of an unidentified body on the Mexican border. The stiff has the name “Dayani Cristal” tattooed on his chest. Gael Garcia Bernal plays one of these scientists as he traces the man’s life from Honduras through Mexico. The film won the Cinematography Award and the World Cinema Documentary Award at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival. AFI chose to showcase it as part of the festival’s closing weekend lineup this year.
For the full program, visit the AFI website.
-Matthew Welborn
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