DocuWeeks 2012 Will Feature Five Latin American-Themed Docs

The International Documentary Association has announced the lineup for the 16th edition of its annual DocuWeeks screening series to take place between August 3 and 23 at the IFC Center in New York City, and between August 10 and 30 at the Laemmle NoHo 7 in Los Angeles. This year's lineup includes 17 feature films and 11 shorts from 19 countries including five feature films with a focus on Mexico, Brazil Colombia, and Haiti.

From Mexico, DocuWeeks will feature Everardo González's Cuates de Australia / Drought (pictured) the story of a cattle-ranching community in northeastern Mexico that annually performs a massive exodus to look for water during drought. González's film just won few days ago the prize for Best Documentary at the Los Angeles Film Festival. Also from Mexico, Jardín en el mar / Garden in the Sea by Thomas Riedelsheimeris a documentary about art, landscape and environment. The film follows Spanish artist Cristina Iglesias as she creates a commission underwater sculpture in the Sea of Cortez.

Tejiendo sabiduría / We Women Warriors by Nicole Karsin follows three native women caught in the crossfire of Colombia's warfare, who use nonviolent resistance to defend their peoples' survival. Without Net (pictured) by Kelly J. Richardson tells the story of Djeferson, Bárbara, Rayana and Platini who live in a drug-controlled slum of Rio de Janeiro. When a big-top circus tent suddenly appears in a nearby parking lot, they decide to take a chance.

And from Haiti, Patrick Shen's La Source follows a Haitian Princeton janitor who after the devastating 2010 earthquake seeks the support of the privileged community he serves every day and sacrifices everything to revive his lifelong dream to bring what is most fundamental to his village's survival: clean water.
 

Bichir, Luna, and García Invited as New Academy Members

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced today that it has invited 176 film professionals as new members of the Academy, including Mexican actors Demian Bichir and Diego Luna, as well as Colombian-born filmmaker Rodrigo García.

According to the Los Angeles Times, Academy voters are less diverse than the moviegoing public and nearly 94% of the approximately 6,000 members are Caucasian and 77% male. With Latinos making up less than 2% Academy, President Tom Sherak and Chief Executive Dawn Hudson have made diversifying a priority for the organization.

Demian Bichir was nominated for an Oscar this year, for Best Actor for his leading role in A Better Life. Neither Diego Luna nor Rodrigo García have been directly nominated for an Oscar, yet both have worked in films that have been nominated; Luna in Alfonso Cuarón's Y Tu Mamá También which got nominated for Best Original Screenplay; and Rodrigo García has directed two actresses to Oscar nominations: Glenn Close and Janet McTeer, both for Albert Nobb.

Bichir, Luna, and García will be joining other Latin American film professionals that are members of the Academy such as Argentine director Juan Campanella, Peruvian director Claudia Llosa, and Mexican actress Salma Hayek. As Academy members, they gain the opportunity of Oscar voting privileges. New members will be welcomed at a reception in September.
 

DEMO Named Best Peruvian Film at the Lima Independent Film Fest

The film Demo (pictured) by Miguel Vargas was named Best Peruvian Film in the national competition of the second edition of the Lima Independent Film Festival, which took place from June 16 to 24, 2012. The film tells the story of a former hit man, who pressured by his financial needs, must return to his old ways.

In the same category, the jury decided to give a Special Mention to the experimental film En el 93 by Carlos Benvenuto, while the international competition jury decided to give a Special Mention to the Peruvian experimental documentary  film El epitafio no me importa by Alberto Angulo.

Additionally, the Peruvian Association of Film Critics awarded Omar Forero's El Ordenador / The Computer, the APRECI prize as the Best Peruvian Film of the festival. In this film, a poster present in the beginning indicates that the principal character of the film “knows that he is going to die.” What follows is the objective vision of his journey in what little life he has left to live. APRECI’s statement says, “The direction of Forero fits well with the style of acclaimed contemporary Latin American filmmakers, like Argentinian Lisandro Alonso in Los Muertos, or Mexican Carlos Reygadas in Japón.”

The announcement and awards ceremony of the winners of the Festival de Cine Lima Independiente 2012 took place last Sunday in the Centro Cultural de la Universidad Cayetano Heredia in Miraflores.

The Film Society of Lincoln Center Unveils Selections for the 13th Annual Latinbeat Festival

The Film Society of Lincoln Center announced today the complete lineup for the 13th edition of Latinbeat, the annual showcase of contemporary cinema from Latin America, from August 10–23. Opening Night kicks off with Kenya Marquez’s Fecha de caducidad / Expiration Date, a dark comedy starring Damián Alcazar and the festival wraps up with celebratory documentary 3 millones / 3 Million from Yamandu and Jaime Roos, where the iconic Uruguayan musician travels to the South African World Cup.

This year’s lineup represents films from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Uruguay and Venezuela as well as a selection of documentaries, directorial debuts and a strong focus on music, including Violeta Parra in Violeta se fue a los cielos / Violeta Went to Heaven (pictured) by Andrés Wood and master Brazilian documentarian Eduarado Coutinho’s As cançoes / Songs.

"The abundance of strong documentaries is one of the most fascinating things about current Latin American cinema. Latinbeat showcases a sample with a wide range of subjects, from soccer to human rights, education and architecture, to music and controversial interpretations of national history” notes Film Society of Lincoln Center Programming Associate Marcela Goglio. “But there is also lots of exciting, gutsy new fiction from across the region, and lots of beloved well known music – from Uruguay, Brazil and Chile.  As always, filmmakers, producers and actors will join us on this fourteen day adventure across the region.”

There is something for everyone at this year’s festival including family programming with Bacalar, a favorite on the children’s film festival circuit; the sweet and funny animated feature titled Gordo, calvo y bajito / Fat, Bald, Short Man; fans of the wonderful play Evita will be pleased to see Elena Roger’s film debut in One Love, starring opposite Diego Peretti; and the blockbuster award-winning hit from Argentina Chinese Takeaway / Un cuento chino, starring Ricardo Darin, will have its New York Premiere! 

From Mexico, Latinbeat will also feature the NY premieres of Matías Meyer's Los últimos cristeros / The Last Cristeros; Kyzza Terrazas' El lenguaje de los marchetes / Machete Language and Michel Lipkes' Malaventura.  This year’s panel discussion will take place on August 16th and is titled, New Mexican Cinema, a focus on recent trends in Mexican filmmaking. Participants include Meyer, Lipkes and Terrazas and it will be moderated by Carlos A. Gutiérrez (Cinema Tropical).

Other highlights include the Chilean film De jueves a domingo / Thursday Till Sunday (pictured) by Dominga Sotomayor; the Argentinean documentary Escuela normal / Normal School by Celina Murga; the documentary about Cuban art schools Unfinished Spaces by Alysa Nahmias and Benjamin Murray; and the Ecuadorean documentary With My Hear in Yambo / Con el corazón en Yambo by María Fernanda Restrepo.

In addition to the many U.S. Premieres and New York premieres, Latinbeat will host several in-person appearances including: Damián Alcazar, Pablo Cerda, Blas Eloy Martinez, Kenya Márquez, Benjamin Murray, Alysa Nahmias and Jaime Roos.

Tickets for the 13th edition of Latinbeat go on sale on July 12, 2012 and more information can be found at www.filmlinc.com.

Film Descriptions & Schedule

Opening night!
Expiration Date/Fecha de caducidad
Kenya Marquez, 2011, Mexico, 35mm; 111m
Ramona suspects a stranger is responsible for the disappearance of her son. But not all is what it seems in this funny and suspenseful black comedy of shifting viewpoints starring the great Damian Alcazar. In person: Kenya Marquez, producer Karla Uribe and star Damian Alcazar.
*AUG 10, 6:30PM; AUG 12, 3:45PM

Closing night!
U.S. Premiere!
3 Million /3 millones
Jaime Roos & Yamandu Roos, 2012, Uruguay, DCP; 135m
In this joyous documentary about the passion of soccer, the iconic Uruguayan musician and his (Dutch) photographer son reunite to embark on a “relentless journey” to the South African World Cup with the Uruguayan national soccer team. In person: Jaime Roos.
*AUG 21, 8:15PM; AUG 23, 8:00PM

U.S. Premiere!
Awka Liwen
Mariano Aiello & Kristina Hille, 2010, Argentina; 90m
This “alternative” history of Argentina focuses on the extermination of indigenous populations in the 19th century, and how this connects to the country’s current political and economic situation. 
*AUG 14, 9:00PM; AUG 18, 3:00PM

Bacalar
Patricia Arriaga-Jordan, 2011, Mexico, Blu-Ray; 96m
When Santiago and his best friend Mariana inadvertently videotape a group of dangerous animal traffickers while out playing detective, they set out to save the endangered wolves in this favorite on the children’s film festival circuit! Rated G. *AUG 19, 1:00PM

Chinese Takeaway / Cuento Chino
Sebastian Borensztein, 2011, Argentina; 93m
In this warm hearted, gentle and affectionate comedy, the great Ricardo Darin stars as the hardened lonely owner of a hardware store who one day assists a newly arrived Chinese immigrant in need of help.
*AUG 11, 9:15PM; AUG 12, 6:30PM

Fat, Bald, Short Man / Gordo, calvo y bajito
Carlos Osuna, 2011, Colombia, 35mm; 97m
In this sweet and funny animated feature, Antonio, a middle aged loner and exemplary employee at a notary office in Bogota, sees his luck change when a new boss arrives. *AUG 15, 4:30PM & 9:00PM

The Last Christeros / Los ultimos cristeros
Matias Meyer, 2011, Mexico; 90m
A rigorous and intimate exploration of a lesser known aspect of Mexican history--the dramatic war between Church and State in the 20’s and 30’s.  A visually powerful tribute to the bravery and perseverance of Christian rebels in defense of religious freedom. In person: Matias Meyer.
*AUG 17, 6:30PM; AUG 18, 5:00PM

Machete Language / El lenguaje de los machetes
Kyzza Terrazas, 2011, Mexico; 85m
Pushed over the edge by the violent repression in Salvador Atenco, a political activist and punk singer feel increasingly drawn to commit a terrorist act in the name of their political beliefs and their love. In person: Kyzza Terrazas.
*AUG 18, 9:15PM; AUG 19, 8:15PM

Malaventura
Michel Lipkes, 2011, Mexico; 66m
Lipkes captures the last day of an elderly man’s life with deliberate calm and suggestive cinematography as he wanders through a Mexico City that is at once familiar and foreign, in this very personal debut. In person: Michel Lipkes.
*AUG 19, 6:15PM; AUG 20, 8:30PM

Panel discussion!
New Mexican Cinema
Co-presented by Cinema Tropical
Join us for a conversation about recent trends in Mexican filmmaking with Matias Meyer (The Last Christeros), Michel Lipkes (Malaventura) and Kyzza Terrazas (Machete Language). Moderated by Carlos Gutierrez (Cinema Tropical). Special thanks to the Mexican Cultural Institute of New York.
*AUG 16, 6:30PM (Location: Furman Gallery)

Normal School / Escuela normal
Celina Murga, 2012, Argentina; 88m
Celina Murga applies her sensitive, observant perspective on young people's behavior and thoughts to her superb foray into nonfiction.
*AUG 16, 8:45PM; AUG 17, 4:15PM

U.S. PREMIERE!
The Notifier / El notificador
Blas Eloy Martinez, Argentina, 2011, 35mm; 76m
Eloy is a civil servant who delivers documents notifying people on the state of their lawsuits.  His own story unravels with dry humor as each delivery opens into the outrageous worlds of the different urban dwellers he visits. In person: Blas Eloy Martinez.
*AUG 18, 7:15PM; AUG 20, 6:30PM

U.S. PREMIERE!
One Love/Un amor
Paula Hernandez, 2011, Argentina, DCP; 99m
For three friends reunited in middle age, teenage summer love and heartbreak live on 30 years later. Featuring Broadway sensation Elena Roger (Evita) in her big-screen debut. In person: Elena Roger.
*AUG 22, 6:30PM; AUG 23, 6:00PM

U.S. PREMIERE!
P.E./Educación Física
Pablo Cerda, 2011, Chile; 105m
Exequiel (played by director Cerda), a P.E. teacher living in a beautiful seaside town in Southern Chile, faces a midlife crisis after an encounter with an old love in this intimate and down-to-earth debut feature. In person: Pablo Cerda.
*AUG 15, 6:30PM; AUG 16, 4:00PM; AUG 22, 8:45PM (Pablo Cerda will not be attending the 22nd)

U.S PREMIERE!
Samuel
Cesar Lucena, Venezuela, 2011, 35mm; 75m
An exponent of the Venezuelan “Atom Cinema” manifesto, this stunningly beautiful portrait of life in the mountains tells the story of Samuel, a gifted healer. Based on the ideas of Edgar Cayce, who investigated hypnosis as a form of diagnosing and curing illnesses.
*AUG 11, 5:00PM; AUG 12, 8:30PM

Songs/As Cançoes
Eduardo Coutinho, 2012, Brazil; 90m
The power of music made bare by 78 year old master docu filmmaker Coutinho, who interviews 18 people from Rio de Janeiro about their favorite Brazilian song and why it is important to them.
*AUG 10, 9:15PM; AUG 11, 3:00PM

Thursday Till Sunday/De Jueves a Domingo
Dominga Sotomayor, 2012, Chile, DCP; 96m
In a tightly packed car, 12-year-old Lucia and her younger brother take off on a family vacation that will prove to be full of pure childhood happiness, but also quietly yet deeply life-altering.
*AUG 12, 1:30PM; AUG 13, 6:30PM

Unfinished Spaces
Alysa Nahmias & Benjamin Murray, 2011, USA;  86m
In 1961 Fidel Castro and Che commission a group of national art schools.  Over the next fifty years a unique convoluted epic of contrasts enveloped the five resulting buildings. Now rediscovered, they are major markers in the history of alternative architecture and the political climate of Cuba in the second half of the twentieth century. (Howard Feinstein).  In person: Alysa Nahmias and Benjamin Murray.
*AUG 11, 7:00PM; AUG 13, 8:35PM

Violeta Went to Heaven / Violeta se fue a los cielos
Andrés Wood, 2011, Chile/Argentina/Brazil/Spain; 110m
The extraordinary story of the iconic poet, musician and folksinger whose songs have become hymns for Chileans and Latin Americans alike. Chile’s official Oscar entry. *AUG 17, 9:00PM; AUG 18, 12:30PM

With My Heart in Yambo / Con el corazón en Yambo
Maria Fernanda Restrepo, 2011, Ecuador, Blu Ray; 137m
Restrepo was only 10 when her two young brothers disappeared at the hands of Ecuadorian police. Excruciatingly long years of protest, search, research, government deception and unspeakable pain culminate in this life affirming personal journey. *AUG 19, 3:00PM; AUG 21, 3:00PM

MoMA Announces Lineup for the 10th Edition of Premiere Brazil!

The Museum of Modern Art and the Rio de Janeiro International Film Festival have announced the lineup for the 10th edition of their annual collaboration Premiere Brazil!, running July 12–24, which will feature 14 films including six New York premieres, four U.S. premieres and two international premieres.

Highlights of this year Premiere Brazil! includes Eduardo Coutinho's most recent documentary As canções / Songs (pictured) which explores the most intimate meaning of the songs in our lives; Eu receberia as piores notícias dos seus lindos lábios / I’d Receive the Worst News from Your Beautiful Lips by Beto Brant (co-directed with Renato Ciasco), a sensual melodrama set against a steamy Amazonian backdrop; the enchanting tragicomedy Palhaço / The Clown by Selton Mello; À Beira do Caminho / Roadside by Breno Silveira; the biopic Heleno (pictured) by José Henrique Fonseca; and Transeunte / Passerby by Eryk Rocha.

Premiere Brazil! will also feature two films, made by seven young directors, about life in the favelas: 5 x favela – agora por nós mesmos / 5 x Favela: Now By Ourselves, a collection of five fiction shorts about various aspects of favela-dwelling; and  5 x pacificação / Peace in Rio, a documentary about the controversial social policing of the favelas.

In conjunction with Premiere Brazil! and co-presented with Cinema Tropical and VOCES, the Latino Heritage Network of The New York Times Company, a round table discussion, titled “Film and Social Change: The Case of Rio’s Favelas,” focusing on issues raised by these two films, takes place at The New York Times building on Monday, July 16, at 6pm. In addition to the filmmakers, the panel includes Jose Mariano Beltrame, Rio de Janeiro's Security Secretary, and filmmaker/mentor Carlos Diegues.

Talented newcomers are also showcased in Premiere Brazil!, including Kiko Goifman and Claudia Priscilla, whose Olhe pra mim de novo / Look at Me Again is an astonishing documentary about Silvyo Lucio, who was born a woman and became a man.

Another promising newcomer is Vinícius Coimbra, whose Brazilian Western about redemption and revenge, A hora e a vez de Augusto Matraga / Matraga, shows an impressive grasp of period recreation. The film received four jury prizes as well as the popular vote for Best Film at the last edition of the Rio de Janeiro International Film Festival.

Additionally and celebrating a masterpiece of the Cinema Novo era, a restored print of Leon Hirszman’s beloved and much-awarded 1972 drama São Bernardo will screen on Monday, July 16.

GIRL IN PROGRESS Leads Imagen Awards Nominations

The Imagen Foundation announced the nominees for the 27th Annual Imagen Awards (Spanish for “image"), which honors positive portrayals of Latinos and Latino cultures in entertainment. Girl in Progress, the mother/daughter dramedy leads the race with five nominations including Best Feature Film and Best Director (Patricia Riggen), along with acting honors for Eva Mendes for Best Actress, Eugenio Derbez for Best Supporting Actor and Cierra Ramirez for Best Supporting Actress.

The outlandish comedy, Casa de mi Padre received four nominations including Best Feature with the remaining nominations going to Will Ferrell for Best Actor, Diego Luna for Best Supporting Actor and Genesis Rodriguez for Best Supporting Actress. Also nominated for Best Feature was the the Hip Hop-driven drama, Filly Brown. The film’s lead actress and rapper, Gina Rodriguez received a nomination for Best Actress, while her father played by Lou Diamond Phillips was selected for the Best Actor category. Directors Youssef Delara and Michael Olmos will also compete for the Best Director award.

In a three way tie for second place is Without Men, an adaptation of James Cañón’s novel “Tales From the Town of Widows.” Three of the four nominations are for acting honors including Best Actress (Eva Longoria) and Best Supporting Actress for both Kate Del Castillo and Mónica Huarte with the final nomination going to Gabriela Tagliavini for Best Director.

Cruz Reynoso: Sowing the Seeds of Justice chronicling the remarkable life of Cruz Reynoso was nominated for Best Documentary for Film or Television along with Harlistas: An American Journey about the Latino motorcycling culture.  Also, fighting for the Best Doc prize is Immigrant Nation: The Battle for the Dream, the modern telling of the immigrant rights movement; and the critically acclaimed, Paraiso For Sale, from filmmaker, Anayansi Prado.

Five selections were made for the Best Theatrical Short or Student Film category including Ruben Avita’s Inglés; MADDOGGIN set in East L.A.; the short Our Vows; Rusted Chrome and The Violinist.

The awards will be presented at a gala black-tie dinner on Friday evening, August 10th, at the Beverly Hilton Hotel International Ballroom.  The Imagen Awards will air as a one hour special on PBS SoCal on Sunday, September 23rd.