It’s a triple treat for film buffs as Instituto Cervantes de Manila brings back Película, the biggest annual Spanish Film Festival in Asia, at chosen venues in Metro Manila from October 1 to 31.
Due to the past successes of its first seven seasons, organizers have doubled the number of films (this year more than 40!), gone from one to three venues and lengthened the film festival. Cultural events have also been calendared, in line with the theme of this year’s festival: Locos por el cine or Adik sa Pelikula.
With new partnerships forged by Instituto Cervantes, the cultural arm of the Spanish Embassy to the Philippines, and the strengthening support from Spanish filmmakers, last year’s attendance by cinema enthusiasts is expected to increase this year. Last year, some 20,000 spectators attended the Festival.
"This year marks our 8th edition and we're very proud of how far the Festival's come in such a short period of time," said Instituto Cervantes director Jose Rodriguez. "We believe Película has the potential to foster incredible growth in arts and entertainment and attract the best of the best-acclaimed Spanish and Latin American filmmakers to this area. We are especially proud of the reputation the Festival has developed over the years as a great local venue to feature and premier award-winning Spanish films.”
Selection of films will be divided into four groups this year: Official section at Greenbelt 3 Cinemas featuring Spanish contemporary and award-winning films; Spanish & Filipino documentaries at CCP which is a selection of 12 documentaries that bear testament to the growing vitality of the genre in the two countries; Spanish Cinema in 8 Films at the College of Saint Benilde featuring eight classical Spanish movies; and a selection of Latin-American indie productions entitled Cine en construcción (Films in progress), also scheduled at College of Saint Benilde.
Película kicks off on September 30 with an opening night featuring the movie No me pidas que te bese porque te besaré (Don’t ask me to kiss you, because I will). This comedy is about a man who is repenting his decision to marry and takes guitar lessons with “special” people to distract himself before his wedding. Gracing the opening night at the Greenbelt 5 Fashion walk area will be a dance performance by B612, a vertical dance company who was brought to Manila by Instituto Cervantes to display their world-class dance and lights to local audience.
Multi-awarded films such as El truco del manco (The one-handed trick), Una palabra tuya, Los girasoles ciegos (The Blind Sunflowers), Rotorno a Hansala (Return to Hansala), and 3 Días make their Philippine premiere at the film festival, which starts also on October 1 at the Greenbelt 3 Cinemas.
Other films include El Nido Vacío (Empty Nest), a comedy that explores the gap that occurs when children grow up and move away from home; and Dieta mediterranea (Mediterranean Diet), a story about a girl named Sofia who was regarded as the “best chef in the world” and the two men who helped her become a legend.
On October 7, Película gives tribute to Mexico’s film industry with the Mexican Cinema Night. Headlining this evening 2008 San Diego Latino Film Festival, La Zona (The Zone), a film about a wealthy compound surrounded by walls and surveillance system to protect the locals against the violence of the slums.
Running at the De La Salle University- College of St. Benilde (DLSU-CSB) from October 1 to 31 is a photo exhibition on the evolution of the Spanish cinema. Tagged as Crónica Visual del Cine Español (A Visual Chronicle of Spanish Cinema), the exhibit will be divided into the three periods of the Spanish cinema, aiming to recreate the journey of the films from the old Europe and Latin American tradition to the current contemporary style.
Alongside the exhibits at the DLSU-CSB will be a series of workshops on scriptwriting and editing as well as the showcasing of Latin American indie films. On October 14, 12:30 p.m., Chilean director Oscar Cardenas will grace the DLSU-CSB for the Asian premiere of his film Rabia.
Meanwhile, from October 7 to 31 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) is a photo exhibit on Filipino Filmmakers by renowned Spanish photographer Óscar Orengo. Featured in the exhibit – the first of its kind in the country – are local directors and actors from different generations like Peque Gallaga, Brilliante Mendoza, Lav Diaz and many more.
That same day, October 7, No todo es verdad, a selection of Filipino and Spanish documentaries will also begin at the CCP Dream Theater.
Película is organized by Instituto Cervantes, in cooperation with the Spanish Embassy in the Philippines, AECID, Ministerio de Cultura of Spain, Filmoteca del Ministerio de AA.EE. de España, Cine en Construcción, Spanish Program for Cultural Cooperation, Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day, LRT, MRT, Cultural Center of the Philippines, College of St.Benilde, Greenbelt and Ayala Malls Cinemas. Special thanks to Dusit Thani Manila - the official hotel residence, Qatar Airways - the official airline, Jaguar – the official luxury car, welovepost - the official post and design boutique and 2nd Avenue – the official TV media partner of Película.
Other sponsors are Alba Restaurante Español, Barcelo Café, Espa-Fil, Bai Capture, Icon Graphics, PostManila, Tooth Fairy productions, Mapfre Insular Insurance Corp., and Embajada de México. Media partners: Lifestyle Asia, Lifestyle Travel and Business Mirror, ClickTheCity.com and Spot.ph (Online), UR 105.9 and RJ 100.3 (Radio).
For more information, please call 526 1482 or visit http://manila.cervantes.es or www.pelicula.ph Instituto Cervantes de Manila is located at 855 T.M. Kalaw St., Ermita, Manila.
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OFFICIAL SECTION – Greenbelt 3
Before The Fall / 3 días
Director: F. Javier Gutiérrez
Writer: F. Javier Gutiérrez, Juan Velarde
Production: Maestranza Films / Green Moon España /
Pentagrama Films 2008
Duration: 93 minutes
Genre:
Crime | Drama | Fantasy | Sci-Fi | Thriller
Language:
Spanish with English subtitles
Cast:
Víctor Clavijo, Mariana Cordero, Eduard Fernández, Juan Galván, Ana de las Cuevas, Daniel Casadellà, Elvira de Armiñán, Marilo Muñoz, Vicente Romero, Pepe Salas, Sebastián Haro, Antonio Dechent, Alejandro Muñoz, Miguel Zurita
Awards:
2009 Amsterdam Fantastic Film Festival-
Grand Prize of European Fantasy Film in Silver- F. Javier Gutiérrez
CEC Award: Best Editing- Nacho Ruiz Capillas
2009 Goya Awards- Best Sound-
Jorge Mira, Jorge Marín, Maite Rivera, Daniel de Zayas
2008 Málaga Spanish Film Festival-
Best First Screenplay- F. Javier Gutiérrez, Juan Velarde, Golden Biznaga- F. Javier Gutiérrez, Silver Biznaga: Best Make-Up- Anabel Beato, Yolanda Piña, Best Supporting Actress- Mariana Cordero,
Synopsis:
What would you do if the world was going to end in 72 hours? A giant meteorite is about to collide with Earth. The planet is gripped by despair and chaos. The inhabitants of the little town of Laguna listen to the news in terror. Ale, a frustrated young man who lives with his mother and works at doing odd jobs, decides to spend his last days shut away, getting drunk and listening to his favorite music. But his plans change when he is forced to help his mother, Rosa, to protect his brother Tomás four children when Lucio, an ambiguous, disturbing stranger appears.
Return to Hansala / Retorno a Hansala
Director: Chus Gutiérrez
Writer: Chus Gutiérrez, Juan Carlos Rubio
Production: Maestranza Films / Muac Films 2008
Duration: 95 min.
Genre:
Drama
Language:
Spanish | Arabic | Berber with English subtitles
Cast:
El Hussein Aghazaff, Fatima Andah, Antonio Dechent, María del Águila, Antonio de la Torre, Cuca Escribano, José Luis García Pérez, Farah Hamed, César Vea
Awards:
2009 Goya Awards:
Nominated
Goya: Best New Actress- Farah Hamed, Best Original Song- Tao Gutiérrez For the song "Manousal", Best Screenplay – Original Chus Gutiérrez, Juan Carlos Rubio
2009 Turia Awards:
Won
Special Award- Chus Gutiérrez
2008 Cairo International Film Festival:
Won
Golden Pyramid: Best Film- Chus Gutiérrez
2008 Valladolid International Film Festival
Won
Jury Special Prize- Chus Gutiérrez
Nominated
Golden Spike- Chus Gutiérrez
Synopsis:
A boat carrying a group of illegal immigrants sinks, leaving a dozen dead bodies lying on a Spanish beach. Martín -a man nearing his forties and the father of a twelve-year-old girl- has recently separated from his wife. He runs a funeral parlour in Algeciras and is beset by numerous economic and legal problems. After receiving a call from the Guardia Civil, he drives to the scene of the tragedy and, while collecting the dead bodies, he notices that one of them has a tight Ust gripping a scrap of paper. The latter contains a telephone number. Back in his ofUce, Martin calls that number and is answered at the other end of the line by Leila, a Morroccan woman who works at the wholesale food market in Málaga. Both Martin and Leila will embark together in an unexpected journey.
The Blind Sunflowers / Los girasoles ciegos
Director: José Luis Cuerda
Writer: José Luis Cuerda, Rafael Azcona (Novel: Alberto Méndez)
Production: Sogecine / Produccions A Modiño / E.O.P.C / Producciones Labarouta 2008
Duration: 98 min.
Genre:
Drama
Language:
Spanish with English subtitles
Cast:
Maribel Verdú, Javier Cámara, Raúl Arévalo, Irene Escolar, Martín Rivas, José Ángel Egido, Roger Princep
Awards:
2009 Cartagena Film Festival:
Won
Golden India Catalina: Best Director-José Luis Cuerda, Best Supporting Actor- Roger Príncep
Nominated
Golden India Catalina: Best Film-José Luis Cuerda
2009 Cinema Writers Circle Awards, Spain:
Nominated
CEC Award: Best Actress- Maribel Verdú, Best Cinematography- Hans Burman, Best Screenplay, Adapted- Rafael Azcona, José Luis Cuerda
2009 Fotogramas de Plata:
Won
Fotogramas de Plata: Best Movie Actress- Maribel Verdú
Nominated
Fotogramas de Plata: Best Movie Actor- Raúl Arévalo
2009 Goya Awards:
Won
Goya: Best Screenplay – Adapted Rafael Azcona, José Luis Cuerda
Nominated
Goya: Best Actor- Raúl Arévalo, Best Actress- Maribel Verdú, Best Cinematography- Hans Burman, Best Costume Design- Sonia Grande, Best Director-José Luis Cuerda,
Best Editing- Nacho Ruiz Capillas, Best Film, Best Make-Up and Hairstyles- Silvie Imbert Fermín Galán, Best New Actor- Martín Rivas, Best Original Score- Lucio Godoy, Best Production Design- Baltasar Gallart, Best Production Supervision- Emiliano Otegui, Best Sound- Ricardo Steinberg, María Steinberg, Alfonso Raposo, Best Supporting Actor- José Ángel Egido
2009 Premios ACE:
Won
Premios ACE: Cinema- Best Film
2009 Spanish Actors Union:
Won
Award of the Spanish Actors Union: Film: Performance in a Minor Role, Male- José Ángel Egido, Film: Lead Performance, Female- Maribel Verdú, Film: Lead Performance, Male- Raúl Arévalo
2009 Turia Awards:
Won
Turia Award: Best Spanish Film- José Luis Cuerda
Synopsis:
Ourense, Spain, 1940. Every time that Elena locks the door, she locks her secrets. Her husband Ricardo spend years hidden in his house with his children (Elenita and Lorenzo), trying to dodge persecution. Salvador, a priest confused after battling in the front, returns to seminary in Ourense
Forasters / Strangers
Director: Ventura Pons
Writer: Sergi Bebel, Ventura Pons
Production: 2008 (Spain)
Duration: 105 min
Genre:
Drama
Language:
Catalan with English subtitles
Cast:
Anna Lizaran, Joan Pera, Nao Albet
Synopsis:
Forasters tells the story of a single family that lives through two traumatic events with a forty-year gap between them: the loss of a family member and the arrival of new unfamiliar neighbours. Two events that end up disrupting the alleged harmony of the family. The fragility of the family ties, the passage of time, the meaning of existence, and above all, the fear and distrust of the unknown (the outsider, the stranger, the foreigner) upsets the "sensible" mentality of these traditional individuals.
Time Crimes / Los Cronocrímenes
Director: Nacho Vigalondo
Writer: Nacho Vigalondo
Production: Spain , 2007
Duration: 88 min.
Genre:
Sci-fi / Thriller
Language:
Spanish with English subtitles
Cast:
Karra Elejalde, Nacho Vigalondo, Bárbara Goenaga, Candela Fernández
Awards:
This film received a lot of nominations and awards in different film organizations, including winning the Best Picture at 2007 Fantastic Fest in the USA as well snatching the Gold Medal of Jury Award Competition and Silver Medal of Audience Award Competition in 2007 Fantastic Fest (USA).
Synopsis:
A man who travels accidentally back to the past and meets himself there. A naked girl in the midst of the forest. A weird guy with his face covered by a pink bandage. A disquieting mansion on the top of a hill. All of them pieces of an unpredictable jigsaw puzzle where terror, drama and suspense will lead to an unthinkable sort of crime. Who's the murderer? Who's the victim?
53 Winter Days / 53 días de invierno
Director: Judith Colell
Writer: Gemma Ventura
Production: Spain, 2006
Duration: 91 min.
Genre:
Drama
Language:
Spanish with English subtitles
Cast:
Mercedes Sampietro, Àlex Brendemühl, Aina Clotet, Montserrat Salvador, Silvia Munt, María de la Pau Pigem, Joaquim de Almeida, Celso Bugallo, Abel Folk
Synopsis:
Three people waiting for a bus one winter's night look on as a dog is abandoned. Mila, a teacher on a year's leave of absence after having been attacked by one of her students; Celso, a security guard, married, father of a son, who has serious trouble making ends meet, and who is on the point of learning that he's about to be a father again, but this time to twins; and Valeria, a cello student with a murky family/love relationship. All three set out on a voyage leading them to confront their fears and frustrations and each of them to take an extreme, life-changing decision
Casual Day
Director: Max Lemcke
Writer: Max Lemcke
Production: El Deseo, 2007
Duration: 94 min.
Genre:
Comedy
Language:
Spanish with English subtitles
Cast:
Juan Diego, Luis Tosar, Javier Ríos, Estíbaliz Gabilondo, Alberto San Juan, Arturo Valls, Álex Angulo, Carlos Kaniowsky, Secun de la Rosa, Mikel Losada, Malena Alterio, Marta Etura
Awards:
Nominated for three awards and winner of four including Best Film and Best Director (Max Lemcke) at the 2009 Cinema Writers Circle Awards in Spain.
Synopsis:
Casual Day is a company practice imported from the USA . Every Friday the workers are asked to exchange their suits for more informal attire. Different companies plan their Casual Days in different ways: some organise a trip to the countryside or activities intended to better personal relations between their workers, reduce stress and improve business performance. Ruy has always lived as he liked. Though clever, he's gotten himself into a jam. José Antonio, his girlfriend's father, has earmarked an important job for him in his company. He wants him to be his successor. At the age of 25, without actually having decided anything, he's trapped. He'd like to say no to the job, to José Antonio, to Inés, his girlfriend, and to the Casual Day stuff. But it's not easy to say no. What started out as a simple event, a weekend in the country, ends up deciding the rest of his life.
The Good News / La Buena Nueva
Director: Helena Taberna
Writer: Helena Taberna, Andrés Martorell
Production: Spain, 2008
Duration: 108 minutes
Genre:
Drama
Language:
Spanish with English subtitles
Cast:
Unax Ugalde, Bárbara Goenaga, Mercedes Sampietro, Guillermo Toledo, Joseba Apaolaza, Maribel Salas, Loquillo, Gorka Aguinagalde, Klara Badiola, Magdalena Aizpurua, Iñake Irastorza, Erik Probanza, Kandido Uranga, Jabier Muguruza, Susana Gómez, Mikel Tello, Rodrigo Sáenz de Heredia
Awards:
Best Actor (Mejor actor) Unax Ugalde – Valladolid International Film Festival, Best Actor – Turia
Synopsis:
Miguel is a young priest who takes over a parish in a Socialist small town at the time of the 1936 military uprising in Spain. Since the beginning of the war, the village is occupied by the rebel forces, while numerous executions follow in wake of the occupation. In his struggle to defend the victims of political retaliation, Miguel will stand up against the hierarchy of the church and the military and will put his life at risk. His friendship with Margari, the local schoolmistress whose husband has been murdered at the outbreak of the war, becomes a haven to him. His relationship with the woman will somehow counter the young priest's disillusionment and become his only foothold along a road which he must walk on his own.
Just Walking / Sólo quiero caminar
Director: Agustín Díaz Yanes
Writer: Agustín Díaz Yanes
Production: Boomerang TV / Antena 3 Films / Canana Films 2008
Duration: 108 minutes
Genre:
Thriller
Language:
Spanish with English subtitles
Cast:
Diego Luna, Victoria Abril, Ariadna Gil, Pilar López de Ayala, Elena Anaya, José María Yazpik, Dagoberto Gama, Everardo Arzate, Jorge Roldán, Tenoch Huerta, Jorge Zárate
Synopsis:
Aurora is serving a prison sentence for a raid that went pear-shaped. Her accomplices – Ana, Gloria and Paloma – were not caught. Life is certainly no picnic for these for women. Aurora’s sister Ana works as a prostitute and longs to have more money. This is why she accepts an offer of marriage from Félix, a filthy rich but brutal Mexican drug dealer who adores her. Ana goes to live in Mexico with her husband. Shortly afterwards, Gloria receives a phone call from Ana in Mexico asking Gloria to visit her there. Her husband’s business is going well, she says, and she thinks the girlfriends might be able to make something of their lives there. Aurora is released from prison and is met by Paloma. The two women have a plane to catch – from Madrid to Mexico City. At the other end, Ana and Gloria are already waiting for them. Ana is unhappy with her new life. Her husband’s alcoholic binges and violent outbursts have made her realise that the drug lord has trapped her in a golden cage. Things can’t go on like this any more, Ana says. And so she’s has hatched a plot which should put them in possession of a large amount of money and help Ana take her revenge. This is the real reason for bringing her girlfriends to Mexico. Together the women set about preparing what could be their lucky strike.
The Good Life / La buena vida
Director: Andrés Wood
Writer: Andrés Wood, Mamoun Hassan, Rodrigo Bazaes
Production: Co-production Chile-Argentina-Spain-France-UK, 2008
Duration: 108 minutes
Genre:
Drama
Language:
Spanish with English subtitles
Cast:
Aline Küppenheim, Manuela Martelli, Eduardo Paxeco, Roberto Farías, Manuela Oyarzún, Paula Sotelo, Nestor Corona, Daniel Antivilo, Alfredo Castro, Bélgica Castro, Francisco Acuña, Jorge Alis, Luis Roque
Synopsis:
It tells four stories of urban Santiago, Chile today, 2008. Teresa, Edmundo, Mario and Patricia Santiago are four people whose lives intersect amid, bocinazos, brakes and car alarms, but hardly touched on. Each pursues their dream: Teresa (Aline Kupenheim), a psychologist who seeks to save lives, Edmundo (Roberto Farias), a hairdresser who longs to have a car, Mario (Eduardo Paxeco) wants to come to the Philharmonic, and Patricia (Paula Sotelo) who survives. Each one yearns for something that seems to be affordable but they get what they don’t expect.
The Missing Lynx: Paws of the Run / El lince perdido
Director: Manuel Sicilia, Raul Garcia, Jose Enrique Machuca
Writer: Manuel Sicilia, Raul Garcia, Jose Enrique Machuca
Production: Spain, 2008
Duration: 97 minutes
Genre:
Animation
Language:
Spanish with English subtitles
Cast:
voices of : Abraham Aguilar, Beatriz Berciano, Carlos del Pino, David García, Javier García Sáenz, Conchi López Rojo, Julio Núñez, Esperanza Pedreño, David Robles, Cecilia Santiago, César Sarachu
Synopsis:
The film follows the misadventures of a group of animals to escape from being captured by an unscrupulous hunter, hired by a millionaire.
Midsummer Dream / El sueño de una noche de San Juan
Director: Ángel de la Cruz , Manolo Gómez
Writer: Ángel de la Cruz & Beatriz Iso
Production: Co-production Spain-Portugal; Dygra Films / Appia Filmes 2005
Duration: 98 min
Genre:
Animation
Language:
Spanish with English subtitles
Awards:
In 2006, for the work of de la Cruz and Gómez, this animation film received Best Animation Film in the Goya Awards.
Synopsis:
The film follows the misadventures of a group of animals to escape from being captured by an unscrupulous hunter, hired by a millionaire.
Empty Nest / El nido vacío
Director: Daniel Burman
Writer: Daniel Burman
Production: BD Cine , Classic Film , Paradis Films , Wanda Visión S.A., 2008
Duration: 91 minutes
Genre:
Drama, Comedy
Language:
Spanish, Hebrew with English subtitles
Cast:
Oscar Martínez, Cecilia Roth, Inés Efron, Jean Pierre Noher, Arturo Goetz, Eugenia Capizzano, Carlos Bermejo, Ron Richter
Awards:
2009 Argentinean Film Critics Association Awards
Nominated
Silver Condor: Best Actor- Oscar Martínez, Best Cinematography- Hugo Colace, Best Costume Design- Roberta Pesci, Best Director- Daniel Burman, Best Film, Best Music- Nico Cota, Best Supporting Actor- Arturo Goetz, Best Supporting Actress- Inés Efron
2008 Marrakech International Film Festival
Nominated
Golden Star: Daniel Burman
2008 San Sebastián International Film Festival
Won
Best Cinematography- Hugo Colace, Silver Seashell: Best Actor- Oscar Martínez
Nominated
Golden Seashell: Daniel Burman
Synopsis:
A comedy with humor that portrays the recontrucción a marriage between a successful writer and a female student and hyperactive, once their children undertake its own path outside her home. The rediscovery of feelings, different looks and the vicissitudes of a married couple who live together again only two
One Word from You / Una palabra tuya
Director: Ángeles González-Sinde
Writer: Ángeles González-Sinde, based on Elvira Lindo’s novel
Production: Spain, 2008
Duration: 98 minutes
Genre:
Drama, Comedy
Language:
Spanish with English subtitles
Cast:
Malena Alterio, Esperanza Pedreño, Antonio de la Torre, Chiqui Fernández, Marilyn Torres, María Alfonsa Rosso, Luis Bermejo, Juan Sanz
Synopsis:
Rosario and Milagros are friends and they both work as sweepers. They are young, and they don’t have boyfriends, cars, friends nor future but an unexpected encounter changed everything. The tragedy of usual lives, relationship bordering on friendship and love, loneliness, family ties and moral obligations.
The One-Handed Trick / El truco del manco
Director: Santiago A. Zannou
Writer: Santiago A. Zannou, Iván Morales
Production: Media Films, 16 January 2009 (Spain)
Duration: 87 min.
Genre:
Drama
Language:
Spanish
Cast:
J.M. Montilla 'El Langui', Ovono Candela, Javier Iglesias Bustamante, Elio Sagües
Awards:
2009 Goya:
Won
Best New Actor- El Langui, Best New Director- Santiago Zannou, Best Original Song - Woulfrank Zannou, El Langui for the song "A tientas".
Synopsis:
El truco del manco tells the tale of Enrique Heredia, El Cuajo, a non-Gypsy with Gypsy features who gets by as he can with walking difficulties caused by the cerebral palsy affecting half of his body. El Cuajo convinces his friend Adolfo, a young mulatto living in a commuter suburb with an alcoholic father and health problems, to set up a music studio and make a living with their shared talent and passion for Hip Hop. The actors are non-professional, selected at castings held on the outskirts of Madrid and Barcelona. Outstanding among them is Juan Manuel Montilla, nicknamed El Langui, leader of the Gypsy hip-hop group La Excepción, winner of an MTV Europe 2006 award as the best European group in the Spanish-language.
Don’t ask me to kiss you, because I will / No me pidas que te bese porque te besaré
Director: Albert Espinosa
Writer: Albert Espinosa
Production: Spain, 2008(Spain)
Duration: 95 min.
Genre:
Comedy
Language:
Spanish with English subtitles
Cast:
Eloy Azorín, Pablo Rivero, Roberto Enríquez, Teresa Hurtado, Albert Espinosa, Jan Cornet
Synopsis:
This comedy is about Albert who's repenting his decision to marry and takes guitar lessons with “special” people to distract himself before the wedding takes place or not. Espinosa, the scriptwriter of Tu vida en 65 minutos, takes in his first feature film the same approach as Woody Allen in many aspects, making you think what makes us special and what makes us jerks.
The Zone / La zona
Director: Rodrigo Plá
Writer: Laura Santullo, Rodrigo Plá
Production: Co-production México-Spain
Duration: 97 minutes
Genre:
Drama. Thriller
Language:
Spanish with English subtitles
Cast:
Maribel Verdú, Carlos Bardem, Daniel Giménez Cacho, Daniel Tovar, Alan Chávez, Mario Zaragoza, Marina de Tavira, Blanca Guerra, Claudio Obregon, Andrés Montiel, Enrique Arreola, Gerardo Taracena, Mayra Serbulo
Synopsis:
In Mexico City, a wealthy compound is surrounded by walls and surveillance system to protect the locals against the violence of the slums. During a stormy night, a billboard falls over the wall and three smalltime thieves cross the border through the breach to rob. They break into a house and kill an old lady; the residents organize militias to chase the delinquents. Two of them and one security guard are murdered by the vigilantes, but the sixteen year old Miguel hides in the basement of the teenager Alejandro. When Alejandro finds Miguel, he feeds and helps the boy, but it is impossible to escape from the Zone.
Boystown / Chuecatown
Director: Juan Flahn
Writer: Félix Sabroso, Dunia Ayaso, Juan Flahn
Production: Spain, 2007
Duration: 100 min.
Genre:
Comedy
Language:
Spanish with English subtitles
Cast:
Pepón Nieto, Pablo Puyol, Concha Velasco, Rosa María Sardá, Carlos Fuentes, Eduard Soto, Mariola Fuentes
Synopsis:
Victor works in a real estate agency in the well-known Chueca neighborhood of Madrid. He hides a terrible secret: he makes apartments available for sale by murdering the old ladies owners that live in them. Then, refurbishes and decorates the apartments to sell them to gay couples with high purchasing power. His ultimate objective is to transform Chueca into a kind of London Soho area.
Mediterranean Diet / Dieta mediterranea
Director: Joaquín Oristrell
Writer: Joaquín Oristrell, Yolanda García Serrano
Production: Spain, 2009
Duration: 90 minutes
Genre:
Comedy
Language:
Spanish with English subtitles
Cast:
Olivia Molina, Paco León, Alfonso Bassave, Carmen Balagué, Roberto Álvarez, Jesús Castejón
Synopsis:
Sofia's (Olivia Molina) story, the best chef in the world, and the two men who helped her to become a legend. For 16 years, Sofia grew up between burners and tables at her parents' kitchen until she was converted into a well-known chef. She becomes famous, thanks to the two very important men in her life: Toni (Paco León), the ideal man with whom she get married and has three kids, and Frank (Alfonso Bassave), who turned to be her lover.
Chaotic Ana / Caótica Ana
Director: Julio Médem
Writer: Julio Médem
Production: Alicia Produce / Sogecine 2007
Duration: 119 min.
Genre:
Drama
Language:
Spanish with English subtitles
Cast:
Manuela Vellés, Bebe Rebolledo, Charlotte Rampling, Lluís Homar, Matthias Habich, Gerrit Graham, Nicolas Cazalé, Ash Newman, Raúl Peña
Synopsis:
Chaotic Ana is the story - journey of Ana over four years of her life, from 18 to 22. A countdown from 10 to 0, as in hypnosis,through which Ana comes to see that she doesn´t alone. Her existence seems to be the continuation of the lives of other young women who died tragically, all of them at 22, and who live in the abyss of her unconscious memory. That is her chaos. In words of the director and scriptwriter of the movie: Ana is the princess and the monster of this fable feminist against the tyranny of the white man.
14 Kilometers / 14 Kilómetros
Director: Gerardo Olivares
Writer: Gerardo Olivares
Production: Wanda Visión / Explora Films 2007
Duration: 95 min.
Genre:
Drama
Language:
Spanish with English subtitles
Cast:
Adoum Moussa, lliassou, Mahamadou Alzouma, Aminata Kanta
Synopsis:
14 kilometres is the distance that separates Africa from Europe , but 14 kilometres is also the barrier that separates the dreams of millions of Africans who seek to escape from hunger and misery. This film has garnered four awards. Winning the Mayahuel Award for Best Ibero-American Feature Film at the Guadalajara Mexican Film Festival among others.
