Cannes Classics, the section dedicated to the heritage of cinema at the French film festival, unveiled today its lineup for its upcoming edition, which includes three Latin American titles: Cinema Novo by Eryk Rocha, Memorias del subdesarrollo / Memories of Underdevelopment by Tomás Gutierrez Alea, and Tiempo de morir / Time to Die by Arturo Ripstein.
Having its world premiere as part of the Documentaries About Cinema section, Cinema Novo (pictured left) by Eryk Rocha—son of the acclaimed and influential Brazilian filmmaker Glauber Rochar-is a political and poetic movie essay, focusing on the major films of the Cinema Novo wave in Brazil. Numerous interviews with directors Nelson Pereira dos Santos, Rocha, Leon Hirszman, Joaquim Pedro de Andrade, Ruy Guerra, Walter Lima Jr. and Paulo César Saraceni.
Showing in a restored print is the Cuban classic Memories of Underdevelopment (pictured right) by Gutiérrez Alea, which is considered on the best Latin American films from all time. Set in the aftermath of the Bay of Pigs Invasion, the 1968 film follows Sergio, an affluent writer who chooses to stay behind in Cuba while his wife and family escape to neighboring Miami. Sergio is pessimistic about the revolution's promise to bring sweeping change to his country, and he squanders his days prowling the streets of Havana looking for female companionship. Trouble erupts when his fling with chaste Elena nearly ruins him after her family accuses Sergio of rape.
Showing as a Cannes Classics special screening is a restored print of Arturo Ripstein’s debut feature Time to Die. The 1966 Mexican western, written by Gabriel García Márquez and Carlos Fuentes, tells the story of a man who returns home after serving 18 years in jail for murder. Although the man killed in self defense, rumors in town circulated that he murdered the victim in cold blood. The ex-con wants to get his life together, but the two sons of the slain man are gunning for the man who killed their father.
The 69th edition of the Cannes Film Festival will take place May 11-22, 2016.
