There is always some sadness as such events such as the San Diego Latino Film Festival end. This year was no exception. SDLFF put on by the Media Arts Center San Diego ended this past weekend with a bang. The crowds were big on both the opening and closing weekends and prime time during the week was also well-attended. Thanks to everyone for their hard work. The parties and galas were great! But before the feeling goes away, a few words about the excellent fare we were served up this year.
E.S.L.(2005), directed by Dexter Delara proves that you never can tell from a title what to expect. This independent American film shot on video was a tour de force about the immigrant experience. Even though it was supposed to be a Latino film, it could have been any group - any nationality... Bolivar de la Cruz makes the dangerous crossing from Mexico to Los Angeles. There, a chance encounter with Lola Sara brings two worlds together that are only differentiated by time - who crossed when - who is established and who is destined to struggle. The movie stars Kuno Becker, Maria Conchita Alonso (as part of the festival's tribute to her), and Danielle Camastra.
Totally on a different note, Duck Season (2006), directed by Fernando Eimbcke, is the story of a Sunday revolving around bored young people. Flama and Moko take us on a journey--a meditation--into childhood existence shot in black and white. This winner of various awards at prestigious film festivals loosely deals with the effects of divorce and how young friendships sometimes form and function.
Caught (1996) is a steamy thriller and is also part of the Maria Conchita Alonso tribute. The beautiful actress plays the part of Betty who is an ambitious and unhappy wife. The passion is gone from her marriage to Joe (Edward James Olmos) until a mysterious drifter enters their lives and sets a chain of events that end in a powerful film noir kind of ending. The film, directed wonderfully by Robert M. Young, uses the metaphors of fishing and being caught throughout without missing a beat. This film should have received more acclaim. It also showcases the talents of Arie Verveen and Steven Schub.
The Latin American shorts were also strong despite their brevity. El Rincon de Venezuela (2005) is the story of Venezuelans in exile trying to escape the "Cubanization" of Venezuela. Directed by Reyther Ortega, this film is another example of the immigrant experience - this time set in New York. Worthy of mention also is El Ajedrez de los Colores (2004). This Brazilian short deals with issues of racism using chess as a metaphor for transformation. It is brilliant and very engaging.
By far the most magical and enchanting film this time around was A Dios Momo (2005). A film from Uruguay, directed by Leonardo Ricagni, it tells the story of Obdulio, a street boy selling newspapers. But, he can't read the newspapers that he sells. It is a poetic tale of the mysterious twists and turns on Obdulio's road to literacy and a love for Murgas and the Uruguayan Carnival. Why can't other films be like this one? And more important, why don't such films find distribution? This is a 2005 AFI Festival hit. Mukul Khurana
E.S.L.(2005), directed by Dexter Delara proves that you never can tell from a title what to expect. This independent American film shot on video was a tour de force about the immigrant experience. Even though it was supposed to be a Latino film, it could have been any group - any nationality... Bolivar de la Cruz makes the dangerous crossing from Mexico to Los Angeles. There, a chance encounter with Lola Sara brings two worlds together that are only differentiated by time - who crossed when - who is established and who is destined to struggle. The movie stars Kuno Becker, Maria Conchita Alonso (as part of the festival's tribute to her), and Danielle Camastra.
Totally on a different note, Duck Season (2006), directed by Fernando Eimbcke, is the story of a Sunday revolving around bored young people. Flama and Moko take us on a journey--a meditation--into childhood existence shot in black and white. This winner of various awards at prestigious film festivals loosely deals with the effects of divorce and how young friendships sometimes form and function.
Caught (1996) is a steamy thriller and is also part of the Maria Conchita Alonso tribute. The beautiful actress plays the part of Betty who is an ambitious and unhappy wife. The passion is gone from her marriage to Joe (Edward James Olmos) until a mysterious drifter enters their lives and sets a chain of events that end in a powerful film noir kind of ending. The film, directed wonderfully by Robert M. Young, uses the metaphors of fishing and being caught throughout without missing a beat. This film should have received more acclaim. It also showcases the talents of Arie Verveen and Steven Schub.
The Latin American shorts were also strong despite their brevity. El Rincon de Venezuela (2005) is the story of Venezuelans in exile trying to escape the "Cubanization" of Venezuela. Directed by Reyther Ortega, this film is another example of the immigrant experience - this time set in New York. Worthy of mention also is El Ajedrez de los Colores (2004). This Brazilian short deals with issues of racism using chess as a metaphor for transformation. It is brilliant and very engaging.
By far the most magical and enchanting film this time around was A Dios Momo (2005). A film from Uruguay, directed by Leonardo Ricagni, it tells the story of Obdulio, a street boy selling newspapers. But, he can't read the newspapers that he sells. It is a poetic tale of the mysterious twists and turns on Obdulio's road to literacy and a love for Murgas and the Uruguayan Carnival. Why can't other films be like this one? And more important, why don't such films find distribution? This is a 2005 AFI Festival hit. Mukul Khurana
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