Latin American Film Festival

Eagan and I attended some screenings of this year's AFI Latin American Film Festival. We really enjoyed all the movies we saw. I'm listing all the movies we saw as a way for me to remember the films, as well as to let you know about some great Latin American films to keep your eye out for.

[Movie summaries are from the film festival's website]

Lion's Den (Leonera)

[Argentina]

Julia wakes and prepares for work after a drink- and drug-fueled bender, barely noticing a man's motionless body in her apartment. Later tried and sent to prison for the man's murder, she soon discovers she is pregnant, and she gives birth to and raises a son in the prison's mother's ward over the next several years. A closely observed and constantly surprising film from accomplished director Pablo Trapero, anchored by the riveting performance of lead actress and producer Martina Gusman as Julia.

I thought it was a great story. It was interesting to see the dynamic and community of this mother's ward in the prison. It was very well-acted. The main actress, Martina Gusman did an amazing job. She gives an extremely committed and emotional performance. I give it 4.5 stars out of 5.

Lovely Loneliness (Amorosa Soledad)

[Argentina]

This quirky comedy from debut directors Martin Carranza and Victoria Galardi features a winsome and winning performance by rising talent Ines Efron. Twenty-something Soledad (Efron) has recently broken up with her boyfriend and doesn't want another one for at least a couple of years. A hypochondriac, she seems happiest seeking treatment for her latest imagined illness and shopping in pharmacies. But a chance meeting in a cafe with a new suitor may draw Soledad out of herself and into a new adventure.

I thought it was a really cute movie. And Soledad was an adorable, quirky character (wonderfully acted by Ines Efron). Not a whole lot actually happens in this movie (it's not very fast-paced), but I still really enjoyed it. I give it 4 stars out of 5.

That's It (Apenas O Fim)

[Brazil]

In this inventive romantic comedy by writer-director Matheus Souza, a young woman breaks up with her boyfriend and plans to leave town for good, but agrees to meet the man she's dumping for one final conversation before she leaves. This quirky and affecting first feature, which draws favorable comparison to the American indie "mumblecore" subgenre, was shot on the campus of Rio University, where nearly the entire cast and crew were film students at the time of production.

This movie was definitely inspired by Before Sunrise/Before Sunset. The whole movie is a string of conversations. And I loved it. The two main actors did a great job. It almost seems like a documentary -- it seemed so real and genuine. You feel like such a (fortunate) voyeur hearing them talk about their lives and their relationship -- from serious stuff like what they love/hate about each other; to silly stuff like what boy band is better Backstreet Boys or Nsync, and which Power Ranger would you want to be, and other pop culture conversations. Some of the conversations were scripted, some were improvised by the actors. It's an impressive movie considering it's made by film students, made for $4,000, and shot entirely on the Rio University campus. I give it 5 stars out of 5.

The Good Life (La Buena Vida)

[Chile]

The latest film from Chilean director Andres Wood follows a cross-section of Santiagans as they struggle for fulfillment in their lives. A hard-working social worker (Aline Kuppenheim) who educates prostitutes about safe sex discovers her teenager daughter (Manuela Martelli) has become pregnant. A salon owner (Roberto Farias) and the loan officer (Manuela Oyarzun) from his bank begin a promising romance, but discover that work and pleasure, as well as family, often do not mix. An aspiring clarinetist (Eduardo Paxeco) comes up short in his orchestra audition and settles for a gig with the army band. The criss-crossing narrative strands weave a portrait of modern life in the big city, where, despite the multitudes, loneliness and isolation are always present.

Interesting storylines (which were based on true stories) and great acting. It's interesting seeing how these different characters cross paths. The movie touched on a lot of social issues; though, in a more subtle way. The movie (the writing, acting, and filming) does a great job portraying loneliness and isolation, and other issues people struggle with. As it does such a great job portraying these themes, no doubt, it is a depressing movie. I give it 4 stars out of 5.

Oblivion (El Olvido)

[Peru]

A native of Lima, documentarian Heddy Honigmann returns to her hometown to explore the effects of years of political turmoil on the city's working class. Interviewing service workers and street performers, Honigmann draws out her subjects with simple questions -- "Do you have dreams?" -- that allow for full, moving portraits of lives struggling against circumstance. Lyrical, humanist and deeply empathetic, the film is both a damning critique of the destruction caused by official corruption and a moving tribute to the resiliency of those left behind.

This is a really fascinating documentary and is filmed beautifully. Heddy finds so many interesting people, that are often ignored and not given a platform, and gives them an opportunity to talk about their life and what they struggle with and what they love. There's a great cross-section of people that she interviews. It's really interesting hearing these people's life stories and where they live. It also breaks your heart to see people live in such poverty and how they struggle to make a living. I also found the discussion of Peru's political system/political leaders to be interesting. I give it 5 stars out of 5.