Latin Wave 18: New Films From Latin America
April 25—27, 2025
Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
Organized by the MFAH in association with the creative partner Fundación PROA, Buenos Aires. Sponsored by Tenaris. Programmed in collaboration with Cinema Tropical
The annual Latin Wave series provides the opportunity for Houstonians to see new films from Latin America, and to meet internationally acclaimed filmmakers. The nature of the festival allows audience members to interact with the filmmakers in Q&A sessions and informal conversations. These dialogues enrich the understanding of contemporary filmmaking in Latin America.
All screenings at:
The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
Brown Auditorium Theater at the Caroline Wiess Law Building, 1001 Bissonnet, Houston, TX
Lynn Wyatt Theater at the Nancy and Rich Kinder Building, 5500 Main Street, Houston, TX
Admission: General admission is $10. MFAH Members, students with ID and senior adults receive a $2 discount. Students with ID receive complimentary admission on Sunday, April 28 only.
For tickets and more information visit: www.mfah.org/latinwave
BELOVED TROPIC / QUERIDO TRÓPICO
A film by Ana Endara
(Panama/Colombia, 2024, 108 min. In Spanish with English subtitles)
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*Filmmaker Ana Endara in attendance
Set in Panama City, this tender, atmospheric drama explores the evolving relationship between two lonely souls who form an unexpected bond. Ana María (Jenny Navarrete, The Other Son), a Colombian immigrant working as a home caregiver while harboring a secret, crosses paths with Mercedes (played by acclaimed Chilean actress Paulina García, known for her role in Gloria), a high-society woman struggling with encroaching dementia that is slowly erasing her identity and past. As they navigate the challenges of caregiving and the need for human connection, they learn to care for one another amid their personal struggles. Like the unpredictable Panamanian weather, this luminous drama shimmers with tropical textures and moments of quiet revelation.
Friday, April 25, 7pm — Brown Auditorium Theater
WHEN EVIL LURKS / CUANDO ACECHA LA MALDAD
A film by Demián Rugna
(Argentina/USA, 2023, 99 min. In Spanish with English subtitles)
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Described as “uniquely grisly” (Austin Chronicle) and “dark and timely” (The New York Times), the latest film from writer-director Demián Rugna, When Evil Lurks, is a chilling shocker that follows two brothers, Pedro and Jaime, as they confront a demonic presence threatening their remote village in the Argentine Andes. After discovering a man on the brink of possession, they attempt to eliminate the threat, only to inadvertently unleash chaos upon their community. As the supernatural plague spreads, Pedro and Jaime must navigate a terrifying ordeal to protect their loved ones and their land. The top-grossing Argentine horror film of all time, it is a profoundly unsettling and ghastly addition to the possession genre.
Friday, April 25, 9pm — Lynn Wyatt Theater
THE DOG THIEF / EL LADRÓN DE PERROS
A film by Vinko Tomičić Salinas
(Bolivia/Chile/Mexico, 2024, 90 min. In Spanish with English subtitles)
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Martín, an orphaned shoeshine boy, works on the streets of La Paz, Bolivia’s capital. Hoping for a reward, he steals the beloved German Shepherd of his best client, a lonely tailor he has begun to imagine as a father. Yet, as Martín and Mr. Novoa spend more time together, an unexpected bond begins to form. The debut feature by writer-director Vinko Tomičić Salinas is anchored by powerful performances from newcomer Franklin Aro in a breakthrough role and acclaimed Chilean actor Alfredo Castro—best known for his collaborations with Pablo Larraín. A subtle yet deeply affecting drama, The Dog Thief is beautifully shot and rich in quiet, emotional power.
Saturday, April 26, 3pm — Brown Auditorium Theater
KILL THE JOCKEY / EL JOCKEY
A film by Luis Ortega
(Argentina/Mexico/Spain, 2024, 96 min. In Spanish with English subtitles)
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Acclaimed Argentine actor Nahuel Pérez Biscayart (120 BPM) stars as Remo Manfredini, a legendary jockey whose self-destructive behavior threatens both his talent and his relationship with his girlfriend, Abril. On the day of the most important race of his career—which could clear his debts to his ruthless boss Sirena—Remo suffers a severe accident. Vanishing from the hospital, he drifts through the streets of Buenos Aires, untethered from his past and discovering who he is truly meant to be. But Sirena wants him found, dead or alive. The latest film by Luis Ortega (The Angel), also starring Úrsula Corberó, Daniel Giménez Cacho, and Mariana Di Girólamo, is a stylized, freewheeling dark comedy with a playful edge.
Saturday, April 26, at 5pm — Brown Auditorium Theater
THROUGH ROCKS AND CLOUDS / RAÍZ
A film by Franco García Becerra
(Peru/Chile, 2024, 83 min. In Quechua, Spanish and English with English subtitles)
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Through Rocks and Clouds, the second feature by Franco García Becerra and winner of a Special Mention at the Berlin International Film Festival, is a touching coming-of-age story set against the stark beauty of the Andes. It follows Feliciano, an eight-year-old Indigenous alpaca herder whose only companions are Ronaldo, a young alpaca, and Rambo, an old dog. As Feliciano revels in the excitement of the Peruvian national soccer team’s potential World Cup qualification, his village faces mounting pressure from a mining company that threatens his world and dreams. This endearing and charming fable explores themes of resilience, innocence, and the quiet strength of a community striving to protect its land.
Sunday, April 27, 1pm — Brown Auditorium Theater
I'M STILL HERE / AINDA ESTOU AQUI
A film by Walter Salles
(Brazil, 2024, 137 min. in Portuguese with English subtitles)
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Winner of the Best International Feature at the 2025 Academy Awards, the Brazilian hit I’m Still Here is a powerful political family drama set in Rio de Janeiro in 1971. The film tells the true story of Eunice Paiva—portrayed by Fernanda Torres in a Golden Globe–winning performance—a mother of five forced to reinvent herself after her husband, a congressman who opposed the military dictatorship, is arrested and disappeared by the government. Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Walter Salles (Central Station, The Motorcycle Diaries), this gripping and timely film is adapted from Marcelo Rubens Paiva’s biographical book and sheds light on a critical yet often overlooked chapter of Brazil’s history.
Sunday, April 27, 6 pm — Brown Auditorium Theater
QUITE LIKE PARADISE / CASI EL PARAÍSO
A film by Edgar San Juan
(Mexico/Italy, 2024, 113 min. In Spanish with English subtitles)
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*Filmmaker Edgar San Juan in attendance
Quite Like Paradise is a dark satirical comedy about the art of deception. The story follows Ugo Conti, a charming young man who pretends to be a striking European aristocrat in order to lead a life of luxury. Arriving in Mexico City, Ugo quickly captivates the country’s high society. Reuniting with his former love, Frida Becker, he becomes entangled in a dangerous political power struggle. But when he falls from grace, the same society that once adored him turns against him with equal fervor. Shot in breathtaking locations across Italy and Mexico, and based on Luis Spota’s novel of the same name, this poignant debut feature by writer-producer Edgar San Juan offers a sharp critique of politics, class aspirations, and the influence of social media, bolstered by strong performances and stunning locations.
Saturday, April 26, 7:30pm — Brown Auditorium Theater
SUJO
A film by Astrid Rondero and Fernanda Valadez
(Mexico/France, 2024, 125 min. In Spanish with English subtitles)
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Winner of Sundance’s World Cinema Dramatic Grand Jury Prize and was Mexico’s official entry for the 2025 Academy Awards, the latest film from Astrid Rondero and Fernanda Valadez (Identifying Features) follows the chilling journey of a young boy named Sujo. Orphaned at the age of four after the murder of his father—a cartel gunman from a small Mexican town—he narrowly escapes death with the help of his aunt, who raises him in isolation amidst poverty, hardship, and the ever-present danger tied to his identity. As he reaches his teenage years, rebellion stirs within him, and he follows a grim rite of passage by joining the local cartel. As a young man, he strives to break free from the cycle of violence in his hometown and start anew in Mexico City. However, the shadow of his father’s legacy looms once again, forcing him to confront what seems to be his inescapable destiny.
Sunday, April 27, 3pm — Brown Auditorium Theater
