19th London Latin American Film Festival
“Quite the coolest way to spend your precious
time.” The Evening Standard
“A cornucopia of Hispanic Hits.” Time Out
The London Latin American Film Festival, winner of the Express News Excelencia Latina Award 2005, presents 10 days of the most vital and innovative filmmaking from the New World and the Latin Diaspora.
The most vibrant film festival of the year, is taking place at the Riverside Studios Cinema, Bolivar Hall, Duke of York’s Picturehouse cinema in Brighton, Haringey Independent Cimema, Dulwich Paradiso Film Society and Cafe Crema from the 6th to the 15th November 2009; bringing together the best and freshest of contemporary Latin American cinema with an exciting line up of films.
“Bella” the magical, international hit feature, about a football star and a beautiful waitress struggling to control their destinies, receives its British debut at the Festival this year and we are also very excited to announce that the prodigiously talented Eric Manuel Corvalán, will be here to present his marvellous documentary “Raza”, which dares to tackle, head on, the discrimination still faced by African-Cubans, 50 years on from the Revolution.
One of the coolest feature films on the bill has to be “Crossing” with its witty, elliptical take on the theme of belonging, an eclectic soundtrack and brilliant cinematography.
Amongst the outstanding selection of feature documentaries on offer at the 19th London Latin American Film festival, “The Gift of the Pachamama”, is a must see, celebrating the abiding reverence for Mother Nature and the splendours of the Andean landscape which touch the deepest soul of Latin America. Equally unmissable is the stunning, multiple award winning “Children of the Amazon” in which Brazilian filmmaker Denise Zmekhol takes us into the heart of the rain forest, following in the footsteps of the late Chico Mendes (activist and champion of the indigenous peoples).
Following the tradition of showcasing the very best in Cuban cinema, the Festival, this year is proud to present “Sons of Cuba” a fascinating and unflinchingly vivid insight into the rigorous lives led by the young men (predominantly poor and black) training for Cuba’s national boxing squad.
Also essential viewing is the short documentary “Santiago tiene una Pena”, a feast of sound and image as the filmmakers follow 3 young buskers making ends meet on the buses and trains of Santiago de Chile.
You will also find, scattered like pearls through the programme, the best and most exquisite short dramas, arty animations and documentaries.
Highlights include “Escorbo”, an achingly funny and brilliantly choreographed dance between characters and camera and “Quiroga”, a lyrical and sonorous gem of social realist filmmaking.
Do not miss “My Footsteps in Baragua”, a unique insight into the lives of ethnic minority communities in Cuba and “The Sea”, a small, poignant masterpiece in which a boy, accompanied by his pet goldfish, travels all day to receive his birthday present; a visit to the sea.
If you catch all of these, you will but have scratched the surface of what is on offer. The strength, in depth, of the Festival this year is unsurpassed.
As ever, a fierce vortex of social and cultural activity surrounds the Festival, bringing creative fire to chilly November. Canning House will see the opening of a major photographic exhibition by Julio Ectchart, with the chance to invest in one of his prints at an auction! The prestigious Vibe Bar is the venue for, not only a wide ranging exhibition of Latin Art, but also for the unmissable LAFF Closing Night Party.
Welcome to La Fiesta!
Eva Tarr-Kirkhope
Festival Director
