The annual Latin American Film Festival returns, featuring films from Latin American and Caribbean countries
TEN films are screened as part of the ongoing 13th Latin American Film Festival held at Indicine, Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (KLPaC) in Sentul Park until Nov 23.
An annual event, organised by the embassies of Latin American and Caribbean countries in Malaysia: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela, entrance is free.
This year’s line-up offers a variety of genres: comedy, drama, historical and documentary. Each film sheds light on a particular view on the societies in different periods of the Latin American history.
Films to be screened today are Buscando A Gaston/Finding Gaston (Peru) at 3pm and Casa Vieja/Old House (Cuba) at 8pm respectively.
Buscando A Gaston by director Patricia Perez, takes viewers on a journey of the fascinating World of Peruvian gastronomy through the eyes of a cook, who has taken his cuisine outside his kitchen in a mission to bring new and better opportunities to his people. The film embarks on a quest to explore the roots of the splendour of Peruvian cuisine and its potential to transform lives.
Based on the classic Cuban piece, The Old House, by playwright Abelardo Estorino, Old House tells the story of Estaban, who, after learning of his father’s imminent death, returns to his mother’s home in Cuba after 14 years to rediscover a nearly untouched past. Secrets, old grudges, misunderstandings and intolerance plague his stay at home, where time seems to have stood still.
The other films are:
2 Filhos de Francisco / Two Sons Of Francisco (Brazil)
When: Tomorrow, 4pm
Francisco is a farmer whose dream is to turn two of his children, Mirosmar and Emival, into a famous country duo. Overcoming countless setbacks, a manager is able to regionally promote the two boys until a tragic accident brings their career to a halt. Years later, Mirosmar becomes Zeze di Camargo but fame only comes along when his brother Welson partners with him to fulfil their father’s prophecy.
Patas arriba/ Topsy Turvy (Venezuela)
When: Nov 20, 8pm
Ailing Renato knows his time is running out. His mind is willing but his body is no longer able. His three children, devoted as they are, are now the ones to decide what’s best for him. Much to Renato’s dismay, his daughters resolve to send him to the hospital. But with his granddaughter as a willing accomplice, he plots to escape and sail from Venezuela to Salvador de Bahia in Brazil, as he once promised his deceased wife. This gentle comedy reminds us of the importance of family ties across generations.
Karen Llora en un Bus / Karen Cries in a Bus (Colombia)
When: Nov 21, 8pm
A story about emancipation, it is about Karen who decides to end her 10-year marriage and rebuild her life after going through experiences filled with sacrifice, shame and bitterness — redundant offering by a city like Bogota.
1809- 1810 Mientras llega el dÌa / 1809-1810 As the day arrives (Ecuador)
When: Nov 22, 8pm
The first attempt to obtain independence from Spain was on Aug 10, 1809 in Quito. This was put off four months later with the imprisonment of about 70 patriots in the hands of vice regal army commanded by Colonel Arredondo. The movie shows how the townspeople tried to release patriotic members from the prison.
El ingeniero / The Engineer (Uruguay)
When: Nov 22, 3pm
Fifteen years ago, when the Uruguayan national football competed in the final of the Copa America, their technical director, the Engineer Erramuspe, didn’t emerge from the change rooms. Two days later, the team received his letter of resignation due to “personal reasons”. For 15 years without success, journalists tried to interview the Engineer. When it seems that he will take his secrets to his grave, a young journalist manages to interview him.
Perez /Perez (Chile)
When: Nov 23, 4pm
The movie shows the encounter between the immature and irresponsible 40-year-old Perez and his 22-year-old daughter, Roma, whom he hasn’t seen more than a few times in his whole life. Tardily seeking to establish a relationship with her, he invites her to spend a few days at his vacation cabin in South of Chile. During the period, Roma uses head-on confrontations, bluntness and dark humour to show the anger she feels towards Perez, as well as the sudden jealousy provoked by Marion, her father’s young girlfriend, whom she had not been warned about.
13th Latin American Film Festival
When: Until Nov 23
Where: Indicine Box, Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (KLPaC), Jalan Strachan, Sentul, Kuala Lumpur.
Admission: Free
Details at www.klpac.org and www.facebook.com/LatinAmericanFilm
FestivalInMalaysia.