In an exclusive one-on-one interview with Variety, Fernando Medin, president and managing director of Warner Bros. Discovery (Wbd) Latin America and U.S. Hispanic, drilled down on the company’s programming and growth strategy for the region where it launches its rebranded streaming platform, Max, on Feb. 27. This will be Wbd’s first major international roll-out of Max after the U.S.
“To truly reach all segments of the population with a product like ours, it’s essential to not only offer our international content but also provide something that resonates with people, something relevant to their lives. Hence, we’ve been diligently curating a lineup of local content,” said Medin.
Leading the Max Latin American pack are shows based on internationally renowned IP, led by a Salma Hayek-executive produced series based on Laura Esquivel’s bestseller “Like Water for Chocolate” (“Como agua para chocolate”), adapted by director Alfonso Arau...
“To truly reach all segments of the population with a product like ours, it’s essential to not only offer our international content but also provide something that resonates with people, something relevant to their lives. Hence, we’ve been diligently curating a lineup of local content,” said Medin.
Leading the Max Latin American pack are shows based on internationally renowned IP, led by a Salma Hayek-executive produced series based on Laura Esquivel’s bestseller “Like Water for Chocolate” (“Como agua para chocolate”), adapted by director Alfonso Arau...
- 2/19/2024
- by Anna Marie de la Fuente
- Variety Film + TV
Texas Congressman Joaquin Castro has nominated 27 Latino-driven films for inclusion in the National Film Registry. Among the suggestions are films that brought Oscar nominations to Latino actors and artists, including Salma Hayek, as Mexican artist Frida Kahlo in “Frida” (2002); Catalina Sandino Moreno, who portrayed a desperate undocumented pregnant immigrant in “Maria Full of Grace” (2004) and Demián Bichir, who played an undocumented worker in Los Angeles in “A Better Life” (2011). All were nominated for lead acting Oscars.
Other notable titles nominated by the congressman are Peter Sollett’s coming-of-age indie “Raising Victor Vargas,” Alfonso Arau’s romantic drama “Like Water for Chocolate (1992) and Darnell Martin’s “I Like It Like That” (1994), a story of a Puerto Rican family in the Bronx.
“Given the film industry’s continued exclusion of Latinos, we must make a special effort to ensure that Latino Americans’ contributions to American filmmaking are appropriately celebrated and included in the National Film Registry,...
Other notable titles nominated by the congressman are Peter Sollett’s coming-of-age indie “Raising Victor Vargas,” Alfonso Arau’s romantic drama “Like Water for Chocolate (1992) and Darnell Martin’s “I Like It Like That” (1994), a story of a Puerto Rican family in the Bronx.
“Given the film industry’s continued exclusion of Latinos, we must make a special effort to ensure that Latino Americans’ contributions to American filmmaking are appropriately celebrated and included in the National Film Registry,...
- 8/21/2023
- by Clayton Davis
- Variety Film + TV
Xavier López Rodríguez, known as “Chabelo,” died at the age of 88.
Related Story Hollywood & Media Deaths In 2023: Photo Gallery & Obituaries Related Story Andrew Lloyd Webber Announces Son Nick's Death Related Story Lady Gaga Turns Heads In NYC As Harley Quinn In First Look For 'Joker: Folie à Deux'
“This is a very sad morning, Xavier Lopez Chabelo, father, brother and husband has left us suddenly due to abdominal complications,” read a message on his official Twitter feed.
López was best known for hosting the long-running children’s Sunday variety show En Familia con Chabelo. The Televisa show made its debut in 1967 and ran for 48 years, ending its run in 2015.
Mexican president, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, who shares a last name with the television host but has no relation, took to social media to express his condolences.
“Hugs to family and friends for the death of Xavier López “Chabelo.
Related Story Hollywood & Media Deaths In 2023: Photo Gallery & Obituaries Related Story Andrew Lloyd Webber Announces Son Nick's Death Related Story Lady Gaga Turns Heads In NYC As Harley Quinn In First Look For 'Joker: Folie à Deux'
“This is a very sad morning, Xavier Lopez Chabelo, father, brother and husband has left us suddenly due to abdominal complications,” read a message on his official Twitter feed.
López was best known for hosting the long-running children’s Sunday variety show En Familia con Chabelo. The Televisa show made its debut in 1967 and ran for 48 years, ending its run in 2015.
Mexican president, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, who shares a last name with the television host but has no relation, took to social media to express his condolences.
“Hugs to family and friends for the death of Xavier López “Chabelo.
- 3/25/2023
- by Armando Tinoco
- Deadline Film + TV
Steve Martin is one of Hollywood's most beloved and iconic comedy stars. With over fifty years in the business, Martin has grown from a stand-up comic and "Saturday Night Live" regular to a respected comedy writer and actor. After breaking out to wider mainstream audiences with 1979's "The Jerk," Martin became a bonafide movie star. But the comedian has never stuck to one art form, publishing several books and plays -- not to mention Martin's music career too! Yes, he's known for taking on slapstick comedic roles that cast him as nonsensical or a highly intelligent neurotic. But Martin is also a critically acclaimed creative who received six Golden Globes nominations and eight Emmy nominations for his acting and writing chops.
Martin recently delighted fans with season 2 of "Only Murders in the Building." Allegedly, Martin plans to retire after his Hulu series wraps. Martin is also one Tony award away...
Martin recently delighted fans with season 2 of "Only Murders in the Building." Allegedly, Martin plans to retire after his Hulu series wraps. Martin is also one Tony award away...
- 11/5/2022
- by Molly Turner
- Slash Film
In the late '70s and early '80s, comedians from "Saturday Night Live" made the transition to the big screen, and the move paid off big time. John Landis' "Animal House" provided a star vehicle for John Belushi, and the bawdy comedy made over 140 million against its modest 3 million budget (via Box Office Mojo). For their next trick, Belushi was joined by Dan Aykroyd for a big-budget version of their "SNL" musical act, "The Blues Brothers," which was another smash.
Arguably peak "SNL" at the movies came in 1984. "Beverly Hills Cop," starring Eddie Murphy, was the top-performing film domestically with 234 million, while "Ghostbusters" with Aykroyd and Bill Murray was a global sensation and became a pop culture phenomenon.
"Three Amigos," starring Chevy Chase, Steve Martin, and Martin Short, was originally conceived in 1980 as a vehicle for - you guessed it - John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd. By the time...
Arguably peak "SNL" at the movies came in 1984. "Beverly Hills Cop," starring Eddie Murphy, was the top-performing film domestically with 234 million, while "Ghostbusters" with Aykroyd and Bill Murray was a global sensation and became a pop culture phenomenon.
"Three Amigos," starring Chevy Chase, Steve Martin, and Martin Short, was originally conceived in 1980 as a vehicle for - you guessed it - John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd. By the time...
- 10/26/2022
- by Lee Adams
- Slash Film
Guillermo del Toro's masterpiece "Pan's Labyrinth" is an elegant descent into a nightmarish fairy kingdom. It is one of the finest examples of the style of magical realism in modern cinema, for the way it twists the fairy tale narrative to examine violent political change through the eyes of its young protagonist, Ofelia. "Pan's Labyrinth" is set in Spain under Franco's fascist rule during World War II. Ofelia's stepfather, the ruthless Captain Vidal, hunts republican rebels with sadistic glee. His character "stands not just for fascism but for any sort of authoritarian or totalitarian institution or belief system," any force that destroys the fundamental joys and beauty of being human such as independence and creativity (per Reel Thinking).
As a subversive work that rejects conformity and control, "Pan's Labyrinth" has some of the best use of magical realism in contemporary film. But the style has a long history, stretching...
As a subversive work that rejects conformity and control, "Pan's Labyrinth" has some of the best use of magical realism in contemporary film. But the style has a long history, stretching...
- 10/22/2022
- by Caroline Madden
- Slash Film
Mark Miller, the prolific actor and screenwriter writer best known for Please Don’t Eat The Daisies and Guestward, Ho! has died. His daughter, actress Penelope Ann Miller, confirmed the news on Twitter. He was 97.
Miller portrayed college professor Jim Nash on Please Don’t Eat the Daisies, which ran from 1965-1967 and then in syndication. The NBC-MGM sitcom, which ran for 58 half-hour episodes, was loosely based on the theatrical film of the same name starring Doris Day and David Niven. The series did well initially, but its ratings took a hit in Season 2 when it was moved opposite The Jackie Gleason Show.
Miller had substantial runs on other big shows, most notably Desilu’s Guestward Ho! on ABC in 1960. He played one half of a New York City couple, the Hootens, who relocate to a dude ranch in New Mexico. Guestward Ho! ran for one season alongside The Donna Reed Show on Thursday evenings.
Miller portrayed college professor Jim Nash on Please Don’t Eat the Daisies, which ran from 1965-1967 and then in syndication. The NBC-MGM sitcom, which ran for 58 half-hour episodes, was loosely based on the theatrical film of the same name starring Doris Day and David Niven. The series did well initially, but its ratings took a hit in Season 2 when it was moved opposite The Jackie Gleason Show.
Miller had substantial runs on other big shows, most notably Desilu’s Guestward Ho! on ABC in 1960. He played one half of a New York City couple, the Hootens, who relocate to a dude ranch in New Mexico. Guestward Ho! ran for one season alongside The Donna Reed Show on Thursday evenings.
- 9/14/2022
- by Tom Tapp
- Deadline Film + TV
The most popular Brazilian film for decades, this funny & steamy erotic ghost story took the world by storm and made a star of Sonia Braga. Bruno Barreto adapted a Jorge Amado ‘Bahía’ novel, one that celebrates the positive role that plain old-fashioned carnal lust can play in this world. The bereaved widow Dona Flor does Gene Tierney one better — her desire literally brings her love object back to life . . . but in bed. Rich music, earthy culture. . . Film Movement’s version is the uncut original, and has a new director commentary.
Dona Flor and Her Two Husbands
Blu-ray
Film Movement Classics
1976 / Color / 1:85 widescreen / 118 min. / Street Date July 26, 2022 / Dona Flor e Seus Dois Maridos / Available from Film Movement / 39.95
Starring: Sonia Braga, José Wilker, Mauro Mendonça, Dinorah Brillanti.
Cinematography: Murilo Salles
Production Designer: Anisio Medeiros
Film Editor: Raimundo Higino
Original Music: Chico Buarque de Hollanda, Francis Hume
Written by Bruno Barreto, Eduardo Coutinho,...
Dona Flor and Her Two Husbands
Blu-ray
Film Movement Classics
1976 / Color / 1:85 widescreen / 118 min. / Street Date July 26, 2022 / Dona Flor e Seus Dois Maridos / Available from Film Movement / 39.95
Starring: Sonia Braga, José Wilker, Mauro Mendonça, Dinorah Brillanti.
Cinematography: Murilo Salles
Production Designer: Anisio Medeiros
Film Editor: Raimundo Higino
Original Music: Chico Buarque de Hollanda, Francis Hume
Written by Bruno Barreto, Eduardo Coutinho,...
- 8/6/2022
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
Alex Cox attacks the Reagan years with a political tale sung in the key of the Italo Spaghetti Western: expect plenty of slow motion shots of stylish pistolero mercenaries fighting for the historical ‘filibuster’ William Walker. Look him up, he’s the patron saint of every neocon and would-be soldier of fortune. Everybody on this show goes the whole 9 yards in commitment, with Ed Harris in the lead — they filmed in Nicaragua. It may be director Cox’s finest film, packed with vivid images and surreal anachronisms — and a terrific music score by Joe Strummer.
Walker
Blu-ray
The Criterion Collection 423
1987 / Color / 1:85 widescreen / 94 min. / available through The Criterion Collection / Street Date April 12, 2022 / 39.95
Starring: Ed Harris, Richard Masur, Rene Auberjonois, Xander Berkeley, Peter Boyle, Marlee Matlin, Alfonso Arau, Pedro Armendáriz Jr., Gerrit Graham, William O’Leary, Blanca Guerra, Miguel Sandoval.
Cinematography: David Bridges
Production Designer: Bruno Rubeo
Art Directors: Cecilia Montiel, Jorge Sainz
Film Editors: Alex Cox,...
Walker
Blu-ray
The Criterion Collection 423
1987 / Color / 1:85 widescreen / 94 min. / available through The Criterion Collection / Street Date April 12, 2022 / 39.95
Starring: Ed Harris, Richard Masur, Rene Auberjonois, Xander Berkeley, Peter Boyle, Marlee Matlin, Alfonso Arau, Pedro Armendáriz Jr., Gerrit Graham, William O’Leary, Blanca Guerra, Miguel Sandoval.
Cinematography: David Bridges
Production Designer: Bruno Rubeo
Art Directors: Cecilia Montiel, Jorge Sainz
Film Editors: Alex Cox,...
- 4/16/2022
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
Laura Esquivel’s 1989 novel Like Water For Chocolate, adapted for the screen in 1993, is now headed to the stage: A musical version to be directed by Tony Award winner Michael Mayer with original music by the Grammy Award-winning Latin group La Santa Cecilia is in development, producers announced today.
La Santa Cecilia will write the lyrics along with Pulitzer Prize winner Quiara Alegría Hudes, with a book by Lisa Loomer, according to producers Tom Hulce and Ira Pittleman.
A section of the never-before-heard music will by performed tonight by La Santa Cecilia as part of the digital concert event ¡Viva Broadway! Hear Our Voices at BroadwayCares.org.
“In times of waiting many wonderful things happen,” Esquivel said in a statement. “Dreams take shape and become voices, harmonies, dance. The musical Like Water for Chocolate waited until a group of extraordinary dreamers came together: La Santa Cecilia and Quiara Alegría Hudes,...
La Santa Cecilia will write the lyrics along with Pulitzer Prize winner Quiara Alegría Hudes, with a book by Lisa Loomer, according to producers Tom Hulce and Ira Pittleman.
A section of the never-before-heard music will by performed tonight by La Santa Cecilia as part of the digital concert event ¡Viva Broadway! Hear Our Voices at BroadwayCares.org.
“In times of waiting many wonderful things happen,” Esquivel said in a statement. “Dreams take shape and become voices, harmonies, dance. The musical Like Water for Chocolate waited until a group of extraordinary dreamers came together: La Santa Cecilia and Quiara Alegría Hudes,...
- 10/1/2020
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Pictured (left to right): Kiri Hart, Richard Edlund, John Dykstra, Marcia Lucas, Dennis Muren and John Knoll.
On Thursday evening The Academy’s Science and Technology Council presented “Galactic Innovations: Star Wars and Rogue One” at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills.
Oscar-winning, Oscar-nominated and Scientific and Technical Award-honored panelists included Ben Burtt ,John Dykstra, Richard Edlund, Harrison Ellenshaw, Bill George, John Knoll, Marcia Lucas, Dennis Muren, Bruce Nicholson and Rachel Rose. The evening was hosted by “Rogue One” co-producer Kiri Hart.
These VFX pioneers shared the journey of creating the impossible with their breakthrough visual effects. They also shared rare images that compared the technology and visual results from both films.
Pictured (left to right): Rachel Rose, Bill George, John Knoll, Bruce Nicholson, Harrison Ellenshaw, Richard Edlund, Stormtroopers, John Bailey, Marcia Lucas, John Dykstra, Dennis Muren, Ben Burtt and Kiri Hart.
Check out some of the...
On Thursday evening The Academy’s Science and Technology Council presented “Galactic Innovations: Star Wars and Rogue One” at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills.
Oscar-winning, Oscar-nominated and Scientific and Technical Award-honored panelists included Ben Burtt ,John Dykstra, Richard Edlund, Harrison Ellenshaw, Bill George, John Knoll, Marcia Lucas, Dennis Muren, Bruce Nicholson and Rachel Rose. The evening was hosted by “Rogue One” co-producer Kiri Hart.
These VFX pioneers shared the journey of creating the impossible with their breakthrough visual effects. They also shared rare images that compared the technology and visual results from both films.
Pictured (left to right): Rachel Rose, Bill George, John Knoll, Bruce Nicholson, Harrison Ellenshaw, Richard Edlund, Stormtroopers, John Bailey, Marcia Lucas, John Dykstra, Dennis Muren, Ben Burtt and Kiri Hart.
Check out some of the...
- 6/28/2019
- by Michelle Hannett
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
By Todd Garbarini
Film historian Douglas Dunning has informed Cinema Retro that Laemmle’s Playhouse 7 and Ahrya Fine Arts will be presenting the 50th anniversary screening of Sam Peckinpah’s influential 1969 film The Wild Bunch and special guests are scheduled to appear at both locations. The film stars William Holden, Ernest Borgnine, Robert Ryan, Edmund O’Brien, Warren Oates, L.Q. Jones, Jaime Sanchez, Bo Hopkins, Strother Martin, Albert Decker, Emilio Fernandez, and Alfonso Arau and runs 145 minutes.
Please Note:
Screening #1 is on February 26th at the Playhouse 7 at 7:00 pm, and at press time W.K. Stratton, the author of a new book, The Wild Bunch: Sam Peckinpah, a Revolution in Hollywood, and the Making of a Legendary Film, will participate in a discussion after the screening. He will also sign copies of his book at the theater.
Screening #2 is at the Ahrya Fine Arts on March 2nd at 7:30 pm.
Film historian Douglas Dunning has informed Cinema Retro that Laemmle’s Playhouse 7 and Ahrya Fine Arts will be presenting the 50th anniversary screening of Sam Peckinpah’s influential 1969 film The Wild Bunch and special guests are scheduled to appear at both locations. The film stars William Holden, Ernest Borgnine, Robert Ryan, Edmund O’Brien, Warren Oates, L.Q. Jones, Jaime Sanchez, Bo Hopkins, Strother Martin, Albert Decker, Emilio Fernandez, and Alfonso Arau and runs 145 minutes.
Please Note:
Screening #1 is on February 26th at the Playhouse 7 at 7:00 pm, and at press time W.K. Stratton, the author of a new book, The Wild Bunch: Sam Peckinpah, a Revolution in Hollywood, and the Making of a Legendary Film, will participate in a discussion after the screening. He will also sign copies of his book at the theater.
Screening #2 is at the Ahrya Fine Arts on March 2nd at 7:30 pm.
- 2/14/2019
- by nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro)
- Cinemaretro.com
It’s been 25 years since “The Firm” raced its way into theaters, introducing audiences to the dynamic storytelling style of John Grisham and making a ton of a money in the process. The success of “The Firm” made Grisham’s distinct blend of clever legal thrills and pulpy melodrama attract some of the best filmmakers of the decade, turning smart dramas into major blockbusters and earning multiple Oscar nominations in the process.
Although the wave of Grisham adaptations eventually died down, they helped define a box office era. So let’s take a look at every feature-length film based on a Grisham story to see which films are classics, and which ones should be found in contempt.
11. The Chamber (1996)
Chris O’Donnell is a young lawyer trying to keep his racist grandfather, played by Gene Hackman, out of the gas chamber. James Foley’s adaptation tries to balance serious conversations...
Although the wave of Grisham adaptations eventually died down, they helped define a box office era. So let’s take a look at every feature-length film based on a Grisham story to see which films are classics, and which ones should be found in contempt.
11. The Chamber (1996)
Chris O’Donnell is a young lawyer trying to keep his racist grandfather, played by Gene Hackman, out of the gas chamber. James Foley’s adaptation tries to balance serious conversations...
- 6/26/2018
- by William Bibbiani
- The Wrap
Debra Messing revealed that she was sexually harassed on her very first Hollywood film.
Speaking at a roundtable hosted by The Hollywood Reporter, Messing recalled a disturbing series of incidents on the set of 1995’s A Walk in the Clouds.
“It wasn’t until we started having these conversations that I realized I had been sexually harassed,” the Will & Grace star, 49, began. “I had said, ‘Oh, that’s the business. And then all of a sudden, I was like, ‘Wait a minute, no, that’s not the business. I was sexually harassed.’ ”
The film was Messing’s first role...
Speaking at a roundtable hosted by The Hollywood Reporter, Messing recalled a disturbing series of incidents on the set of 1995’s A Walk in the Clouds.
“It wasn’t until we started having these conversations that I realized I had been sexually harassed,” the Will & Grace star, 49, began. “I had said, ‘Oh, that’s the business. And then all of a sudden, I was like, ‘Wait a minute, no, that’s not the business. I was sexually harassed.’ ”
The film was Messing’s first role...
- 6/7/2018
- by Mike Miller
- PEOPLE.com
Stars: Anthony Gonzalez, Gael García Bernal, Benjamin Bratt, Alanna Ubach, Jaime Camil, Alfonso Arau, Sofía Espinosa, Edward James Olmos | Written by Adrian Molina, Matthew Aldrich | Directed by Lee Unkrich, Adrian Molina
Having explored the inner workings of human consciousness in Inside Out, the animation geniuses at Pixar turn their collective imaginations to the land of the dead in their latest offering, co-directed by Lee Unkrich (Toy Story 3) and Adrian Molina. The result is Coco, a beautifully animated piece of work that has something genuinely moving to say about death, grief, memory and family, without ever feeling too sentimental.
The hero of the story is 12 year-old Miguel (Anthony Gonzalez), a young Mexican boy who dreams of becoming a singer. There’s just one problem: his grandmother Imelda (Renée Victor) enforces a strict musical ban on his shoe-making family, because Miguel’s great-great-grandfather abandoned his wife and child – Miguel’s now ancient great grandmother,...
Having explored the inner workings of human consciousness in Inside Out, the animation geniuses at Pixar turn their collective imaginations to the land of the dead in their latest offering, co-directed by Lee Unkrich (Toy Story 3) and Adrian Molina. The result is Coco, a beautifully animated piece of work that has something genuinely moving to say about death, grief, memory and family, without ever feeling too sentimental.
The hero of the story is 12 year-old Miguel (Anthony Gonzalez), a young Mexican boy who dreams of becoming a singer. There’s just one problem: his grandmother Imelda (Renée Victor) enforces a strict musical ban on his shoe-making family, because Miguel’s great-great-grandfather abandoned his wife and child – Miguel’s now ancient great grandmother,...
- 5/21/2018
- by Matthew Turner
- Nerdly
Our resident VOD expert tells you what's new to rent and/or own this week via various Digital HD providers such as cable Movies On Demand, Amazon, iTunes, Vudu, Google Play and, of course, Netflix. Cable Movies On Demand: Same-day-as-disc releases, older titles and pretheatrical Coco (animated; voices: Anthony Gonzalez, Gael Garcia Bernal, Benjamin Bratt, Alanna Ubach, Renee Victor, Jaime Camil, Alfonso Arau; rated PG) Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (comedy-drama; Frances McDormand, Woody Harrelson, Sam Rockwell, Abbie Cornish, John Hawkes, Peter Dinklage; rated R) Lady Bird (comedy-drama; Saoirse Ronan, Laurie Metcalf, Tracy Letts, Lucas Hedges, Timothée Chalamet, Beanie Feldstein, Lois Smith, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Odeya...
- 2/27/2018
- by Robert B. DeSalvo
- Movies.com
Stars: Anthony Gonzalez, Gael García Bernal, Benjamin Bratt, Alanna Ubach, Jaime Camil, Alfonso Arau, Sofía Espinosa, Edward James Olmos | Written by Adrian Molina, Matthew Aldrich | Directed by Lee Unkrich, Adrian Molina
Having explored the inner workings of human consciousness in Inside Out, the animation geniuses at Pixar turn their collective imaginations to the land of the dead in their latest offering, co-directed by Lee Unkrich (Toy Story 3) and Adrian Molina. The result is Coco, a beautifully animated piece of work that has something genuinely moving to say about death, grief, memory and family, without ever feeling too sentimental.
The hero of the story is 12 year-old Miguel (Anthony Gonzalez), a young Mexican boy who dreams of becoming a singer. There’s just one problem: his grandmother Imelda (Renée Victor) enforces a strict musical ban on his shoe-making family, because Miguel’s great-great-grandfather abandoned his wife and child – Miguel’s now ancient great grandmother,...
Having explored the inner workings of human consciousness in Inside Out, the animation geniuses at Pixar turn their collective imaginations to the land of the dead in their latest offering, co-directed by Lee Unkrich (Toy Story 3) and Adrian Molina. The result is Coco, a beautifully animated piece of work that has something genuinely moving to say about death, grief, memory and family, without ever feeling too sentimental.
The hero of the story is 12 year-old Miguel (Anthony Gonzalez), a young Mexican boy who dreams of becoming a singer. There’s just one problem: his grandmother Imelda (Renée Victor) enforces a strict musical ban on his shoe-making family, because Miguel’s great-great-grandfather abandoned his wife and child – Miguel’s now ancient great grandmother,...
- 1/19/2018
- by Matthew Turner
- Nerdly
Coco is easily going to win the box office over Thanksgiving weekend—but is it worth your family's dime? Directed by Lee Unkrich, Pixar's latest movie features the voices of Alfonso Arau, Benjamin Bratt, Jaime Camil, Sofía Espinosa, Gael García Bernal, Anthony Gonzalez, Selene Luna, Ana Ofelia Murguia, Edward James Olmos, Alanna Ubach and Renée Victor. Despite his family's generations-old ban on music, 12-year-old Miguel (Gonzalez) dreams of becoming a musician like his idol, Ernesto de la Cruz (Bratt). After being dissuaded by his grandmother, Miguel strums his ancestor's guitar and winds up in the mystical and colorful Land of the Dead. Along the way, he encounters a trickster, Hector...
- 11/23/2017
- E! Online
Ladies and gentlemen…Pixar has done it again. One more time, they’ve crafted an original modern animated classic. In this instance, the movie in question is Coco, the latest Disney/Pixar outing to tug at heart strings and make you smile in equal measure. Opening this week, in time for Thanksgiving, it should probe to be another massive hit, both with audiences and also Academy voters. The critics are already on board, and rightly so. This is something truly special. There’s no way to fully prepare yourself for the emotional impact of this one, so just know that the company is going to make you cry once again. The film is a family story, centering on young Miguel (voice of Anthony Gonzalez), who yearns to play guitar. However, confronted with his family’s ancestral ban on music, that’s not a possibility. With the Day of the Dead festival on their minds,...
- 11/20/2017
- by Joey Magidson
- Hollywoodnews.com
As Pixar Studios imagineers yet another animated awards contender, you have to wonder when – or if – they’ll ever stumble again (even in the slightest). No company can flawlessly produce film after film of praise-worthy content, can they? Well, considering how Coco is their best release in years (very, Very successful years), you’ll have to *keep* pondering that very query. Silently, from behind streaming tears (once again).
Lee Unkrich and Adrian Molina’s festive journey through their splashy “Land Of The Dead” is a touching, massively heartwarming story of the strongest familial variety. An afterlife exploration so inspired by the theme of death, yet never burdened by fears of the unknown. Even better? Disney/Pixar embraces yet another chance to push younger audiences towards more cultural – and inclusive – understandings. Respectful, complex and still monumentally entertaining – hot tamale, what a triumph.
Anthony Gonzalez voices Mexican son/grandson Miguel Rivera, a starry-eyed,...
Lee Unkrich and Adrian Molina’s festive journey through their splashy “Land Of The Dead” is a touching, massively heartwarming story of the strongest familial variety. An afterlife exploration so inspired by the theme of death, yet never burdened by fears of the unknown. Even better? Disney/Pixar embraces yet another chance to push younger audiences towards more cultural – and inclusive – understandings. Respectful, complex and still monumentally entertaining – hot tamale, what a triumph.
Anthony Gonzalez voices Mexican son/grandson Miguel Rivera, a starry-eyed,...
- 11/10/2017
- by Matt Donato
- We Got This Covered
Director and actor Alfonso Arau has responded to statements from Debra Messing, who in February recounted her story of being insulted by the director on the set of her first movie, “A Walk in the Clouds” (1995). At the premiere of the new Pixar film “Coco”, Arau was asked about Messing’s claims about his behaviour two […]...
- 11/9/2017
- by Jordan Appugliesi
- ET Canada
Disney has released the final trailer for Pixar's upcoming film Coco. This looks like it's going to be another strong animated film from the studio. Coco already opened in Mexico two weeks ago and apparently, it's been a big hit. I'm very much looking forward to seeing this movie as it looks like it will tell a wonderfully magical story about the streantgth of family.
Despite his family’s baffling generations-old ban on music, Miguel (voice of newcomer Anthony Gonzalez) dreams of becoming an accomplished musician like his idol, Ernesto de la Cruz (voice of Benjamin Bratt). Desperate to prove his talent, Miguel finds himself in the stunning and colorful Land of the Dead following a mysterious chain of events. Along the way, he meets charming trickster Hector (voice of Gael García Bernal), and together, they set off on an extraordinary journey to unlock the real story behind Miguel’s family history.
Despite his family’s baffling generations-old ban on music, Miguel (voice of newcomer Anthony Gonzalez) dreams of becoming an accomplished musician like his idol, Ernesto de la Cruz (voice of Benjamin Bratt). Desperate to prove his talent, Miguel finds himself in the stunning and colorful Land of the Dead following a mysterious chain of events. Along the way, he meets charming trickster Hector (voice of Gael García Bernal), and together, they set off on an extraordinary journey to unlock the real story behind Miguel’s family history.
- 11/6/2017
- by Joey Paur
- GeekTyrant
Disney has released a new clip and featurette for Pixar's upcoming animated supernatural adventure film Coco. The clip features Miguel's grandma coming after him as he is spending time in the Mariachi Plaza. She's not happy that he is hanging round the area. The featurette offers us some insight into the creation of the story. If you're looking forward to seeing this movie, you'll want to check these out!
Pixar has enjoyed a long string of successful films and this one seems like it's very different from anything they've done before, especially with the culture. It looks like a wonderfully magical film and it looks like a movie that fans will enjoy.
Despite his family’s baffling generations-old ban on music, Miguel (voice of newcomer Anthony Gonzalez) dreams of becoming an accomplished musician like his idol, Ernesto de la Cruz (voice of Benjamin Bratt). Desperate to prove his talent, Miguel...
Pixar has enjoyed a long string of successful films and this one seems like it's very different from anything they've done before, especially with the culture. It looks like a wonderfully magical film and it looks like a movie that fans will enjoy.
Despite his family’s baffling generations-old ban on music, Miguel (voice of newcomer Anthony Gonzalez) dreams of becoming an accomplished musician like his idol, Ernesto de la Cruz (voice of Benjamin Bratt). Desperate to prove his talent, Miguel...
- 10/17/2017
- by Joey Paur
- GeekTyrant
Disney has released a new trailer for Pixar's latest film Coco and it looks stunning! Pixar knows how to tell a great story and this one focuses on a young boy who finds himself in the Land of the Dead where he will learn the true story of his family's history. It looks like a fantastically magical film that will inspire audiences.
Despite his family’s baffling generations-old ban on music, Miguel (voice of newcomer Anthony Gonzalez) dreams of becoming an accomplished musician like his idol, Ernesto de la Cruz (voice of Benjamin Bratt). Desperate to prove his talent, Miguel finds himself in the stunning and colorful Land of the Dead following a mysterious chain of events. Along the way, he meets charming trickster Hector (voice of Gael García Bernal), and together, they set off on an extraordinary journey to unlock the real story behind Miguel’s family history.
The...
Despite his family’s baffling generations-old ban on music, Miguel (voice of newcomer Anthony Gonzalez) dreams of becoming an accomplished musician like his idol, Ernesto de la Cruz (voice of Benjamin Bratt). Desperate to prove his talent, Miguel finds himself in the stunning and colorful Land of the Dead following a mysterious chain of events. Along the way, he meets charming trickster Hector (voice of Gael García Bernal), and together, they set off on an extraordinary journey to unlock the real story behind Miguel’s family history.
The...
- 9/13/2017
- by Joey Paur
- GeekTyrant
Author: Zehra Phelan
Following on from the poster release yesterday of Pixar’s upcoming animation Coco by the film’s director Lee Unkrich via twitter as well as the full cast and character details, a new trailer for one boy’s quest to find the truth about his family history has arrived.
Related: Coco trailers
A far cry from Pixar’s Cars, Coco portrays a classic experience both visually and musically whilst dipped in a candy vat of diversity in examining a culture we very rarely see in animation form.
Newcomer Anthony Gonzalez leads the project’s all-Latino voice cast as Miguel, a young boy from a shoemaker’s family who dreams of becoming a musician like his idol, the late Ernesto de la Cruz (Benjamin Bratt), despite his family having banned music for generations. Miguel will be accompanied on his adventure by a trickster named Hector, voiced by Gael Garcia Bernal.
Following on from the poster release yesterday of Pixar’s upcoming animation Coco by the film’s director Lee Unkrich via twitter as well as the full cast and character details, a new trailer for one boy’s quest to find the truth about his family history has arrived.
Related: Coco trailers
A far cry from Pixar’s Cars, Coco portrays a classic experience both visually and musically whilst dipped in a candy vat of diversity in examining a culture we very rarely see in animation form.
Newcomer Anthony Gonzalez leads the project’s all-Latino voice cast as Miguel, a young boy from a shoemaker’s family who dreams of becoming a musician like his idol, the late Ernesto de la Cruz (Benjamin Bratt), despite his family having banned music for generations. Miguel will be accompanied on his adventure by a trickster named Hector, voiced by Gael Garcia Bernal.
- 6/8/2017
- by Zehra Phelan
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Disney has released a new trailer for Pixar's upcoming animated feature film Coco. This looks like a fantastically made film that tells the magical story of a boy, a magic guitar, and his journey to the Land of the Dead. If you're a fan of Pixar's films, this doesn't look like a movie you'll want to miss.
Despite his family’s baffling generations-old ban on music, Miguel (voice of newcomer Anthony Gonzalez) dreams of becoming an accomplished musician like his idol, Ernesto de la Cruz (voice of Benjamin Bratt). Desperate to prove his talent, Miguel finds himself in the stunning and colorful Land of the Dead following a mysterious chain of events. Along the way, he meets charming trickster Hector (voice of Gael García Bernal), and together, they set off on an extraordinary journey to unlock the real story behind Miguel’s family history. Character actress Renée Victor also joins the cast as Abuelita,...
Despite his family’s baffling generations-old ban on music, Miguel (voice of newcomer Anthony Gonzalez) dreams of becoming an accomplished musician like his idol, Ernesto de la Cruz (voice of Benjamin Bratt). Desperate to prove his talent, Miguel finds himself in the stunning and colorful Land of the Dead following a mysterious chain of events. Along the way, he meets charming trickster Hector (voice of Gael García Bernal), and together, they set off on an extraordinary journey to unlock the real story behind Miguel’s family history. Character actress Renée Victor also joins the cast as Abuelita,...
- 6/8/2017
- by Joey Paur
- GeekTyrant
Disney and Pixar's next venture shows the difference between the land of the living and the land of the dead leading up to Dia de los Muertos! The film, entitled Coco, includes an All-Latino voiced cast of who's-who!
Despite his family’s baffling generations-old ban on music, Miguel (voice of newcomer Anthony Gonzalez) dreams of becoming an accomplished musician like his idol, Ernesto de la Cruz (voice of Benjamin Bratt). Desperate to prove his talent, Miguel finds himself magically transported to the stunning and colorful Land of the Dead following a mysterious chain of events. Along the way, he meets charming trickster Hector (voice of Gael García Bernal), and together, they set off on an extraordinary journey to unlock the real story behind Miguel's family history. This is the synopsis for Disney-Pixar's Coco, a beautiful adventure set around the Mexican holiday Dia de los Muertos. Today, Disney proudly unveiled the...
Despite his family’s baffling generations-old ban on music, Miguel (voice of newcomer Anthony Gonzalez) dreams of becoming an accomplished musician like his idol, Ernesto de la Cruz (voice of Benjamin Bratt). Desperate to prove his talent, Miguel finds himself magically transported to the stunning and colorful Land of the Dead following a mysterious chain of events. Along the way, he meets charming trickster Hector (voice of Gael García Bernal), and together, they set off on an extraordinary journey to unlock the real story behind Miguel's family history. This is the synopsis for Disney-Pixar's Coco, a beautiful adventure set around the Mexican holiday Dia de los Muertos. Today, Disney proudly unveiled the...
- 6/6/2017
- by feeds@cinelinx.com (Matt Malliaros)
- Cinelinx
Diversity is kind of a hot topic nowadays. As citizens of a melting pot of a culture, it’s nice to be represented in mainstream entertainment. And if we’re being honest, it’s not just about diversity, but authenticity. It always rings a bit false when you have a white person portraying a person of color. It’s especially easy to get away with this in animation, where you don’t even see the voice actors.
Studios have gotten away with this practice for years, but in today’s world, they’re making a conscious effort to create films that respect the culture it’s portraying, and part of that has to do with the voice cast. This newer approach is expanding to Coco, the latest film from Pixar inspired by Día de Muertos, a celebration of the dearly departed.
This is obviously a story that’s steeped in Mexican culture,...
Studios have gotten away with this practice for years, but in today’s world, they’re making a conscious effort to create films that respect the culture it’s portraying, and part of that has to do with the voice cast. This newer approach is expanding to Coco, the latest film from Pixar inspired by Día de Muertos, a celebration of the dearly departed.
This is obviously a story that’s steeped in Mexican culture,...
- 6/6/2017
- by Joseph Medina
- LRMonline.com
Disney·Pixar’s “Coco,” a multi-generational story about the power of family relationships, features characters from the Land of the Living, and their loved ones who’ve moved on to the Land of the Dead.
Joining aspiring musician Miguel, voiced by Anthony Gonzalez; charming trickster Hector, voiced by Gael García Bernal; and musical icon Ernesto de la Cruz, voiced by Benjamin Bratt; are a host of colorful characters and the voice talent behind them that bring both worlds to life.
“These parallel worlds couldn’t be more different,” said Unkrich. “One is the Rivera family’s charming and hardworking hometown of Santa Cecilia, and the other is the vibrant, rich land where loved ones go when they’ve passed. ‘Coco’ introduces characters from both worlds on the eve of Día de los Muertos—one extraordinary night when a living boy named Miguel gets a glimpse of the other side.”
Added Molina,...
Joining aspiring musician Miguel, voiced by Anthony Gonzalez; charming trickster Hector, voiced by Gael García Bernal; and musical icon Ernesto de la Cruz, voiced by Benjamin Bratt; are a host of colorful characters and the voice talent behind them that bring both worlds to life.
“These parallel worlds couldn’t be more different,” said Unkrich. “One is the Rivera family’s charming and hardworking hometown of Santa Cecilia, and the other is the vibrant, rich land where loved ones go when they’ve passed. ‘Coco’ introduces characters from both worlds on the eve of Día de los Muertos—one extraordinary night when a living boy named Miguel gets a glimpse of the other side.”
Added Molina,...
- 6/6/2017
- by Melissa Thompson
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
I was introduced to the films of Pedro Almodóvar when I was about twelve years old almost entirely by accident. I don't remember the year exactly, though 1992 seems like a good guess based on the other memories that have attached themselves to my discovery of the melodramatic comedies of Almodóvar. At the time there seemed to be a wealth of Latin American and Spanish language films making waves internationally, and my father was like a pig in slop trying to keep up with the new arrivals at the video store. Among the piles were titles like Nicolás Echevarría's Cabeza de Vaca and Alfonso Arau's Like Water for Chocolate, but nothing quite stoked my interest like the arresting - pun intended - cover of...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
- 2/20/2017
- Screen Anarchy
Author: Sean Wilson
Arriving on Blu-Ray and DVD on 13th February, provocative and gruesome horror We Are the Flesh is the latest movie from director Emiliano Rocha Minter. Engulfing viewers in a nightmarish and surreal world, whereby two siblings find themselves manipulated by a terrifying stranger, it’s controversial Mexican cinema in every sense of the word.
It also follows a proud tradition of rich, boundary-pushing cinema to have emerged from the country. To honour the film’s release, here are some of Mexico’s finest.
Un Chien Andalou (1929)
Few images are seared onto viewers’ minds as vividly as the eyeball being sliced in Luis Bunuel’s groundbreaking surrealist classic (in reality it was a cow’s eye, not a human’s). But in truth the Spanish filmmaker’s trendsetting collaboration with Salvador Dali is filled to the brim with all other manner of striking imagery that left a lasting...
Arriving on Blu-Ray and DVD on 13th February, provocative and gruesome horror We Are the Flesh is the latest movie from director Emiliano Rocha Minter. Engulfing viewers in a nightmarish and surreal world, whereby two siblings find themselves manipulated by a terrifying stranger, it’s controversial Mexican cinema in every sense of the word.
It also follows a proud tradition of rich, boundary-pushing cinema to have emerged from the country. To honour the film’s release, here are some of Mexico’s finest.
Un Chien Andalou (1929)
Few images are seared onto viewers’ minds as vividly as the eyeball being sliced in Luis Bunuel’s groundbreaking surrealist classic (in reality it was a cow’s eye, not a human’s). But in truth the Spanish filmmaker’s trendsetting collaboration with Salvador Dali is filled to the brim with all other manner of striking imagery that left a lasting...
- 2/10/2017
- by Sean Wilson
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Debra Messing says she was pressured to do a nude scene on her 1995 movie “A Walk in the Clouds” and that she was subjected to a series of body humiliations on set. At the Makers conference in Palos Verdes this week, the actress recounted her time on the set of her first movie which also starred Keanue Reeves and was directed by Alfonso Arau. She began her story by saying that the “a– hat” director once told her that her “nose is ruining my movie.” “How quickly can we get a plastic surgeon in here?” she says he shouted after ending a scene.
- 2/9/2017
- by Beatrice Verhoeven
- The Wrap
Life is never going to be easy for females in Hollywood. It’s just that simple. While they should be paid equally, treated equally, and everything else equally there will always be those that simply don’t catch up with the times and are too closed off. That’s putting it nicely. The bottom line is that sexism still exists in Hollywood and it may be a long time before that ever changes. Normally I wouldn’t bring up a story about a director verbally abusing an actor because it happens all the time. We just don’t hear about it often. But I have
Debra Messing Took Some Harsh Words from Director Alfonso Arau in 1995...
Debra Messing Took Some Harsh Words from Director Alfonso Arau in 1995...
- 2/9/2017
- by Nat Berman
- TVovermind.com
Debra Messing recently recalled being allegedly belittled and insulted by a director on the set of her first movie, 1995's A Walk in the Clouds.
Speaking at the 2017 Makers conference earlier this week, Messing said she had been told there would be no nude scenes in the film she starred opposite Keanu Reeves. But once she got on set, she heard that there would be one, and she spoke with director Alfonso Arau about it.
Messing said Arau was angered by her questioning his decision and alleges he told her, "Your job is to get naked and...
Speaking at the 2017 Makers conference earlier this week, Messing said she had been told there would be no nude scenes in the film she starred opposite Keanu Reeves. But once she got on set, she heard that there would be one, and she spoke with director Alfonso Arau about it.
Messing said Arau was angered by her questioning his decision and alleges he told her, "Your job is to get naked and...
- 2/9/2017
- by THR Staff
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The film industry can be a mean, tough and unforgiving place. And Debra Messing has had her fair share of it. At this week’s Makers conference, which took place in Rancho Palos Verdes, California, the actress shared with fellow women in Hollywood some of her experiences in the industry. During her talk, she recalled an incident that happened very early in her career that would leave any woman in tears.
Read More: Shia Labeouf, Rooney Mara and More: 10 Hot Projects at Berlin’s European Film Market
According to Vulture, the actress said that in the set of 1995’s “A Walk in the Clouds,” which was her first movie, director Alfonso Arau interrupted the filming of a scene to make a really inappropriate comment about her appearance. “We started filming and the very famous director screamed ‘Cut’ and said, ‘How quickly can we get a plastic surgeon in here? Her nose is ruining my movie,...
Read More: Shia Labeouf, Rooney Mara and More: 10 Hot Projects at Berlin’s European Film Market
According to Vulture, the actress said that in the set of 1995’s “A Walk in the Clouds,” which was her first movie, director Alfonso Arau interrupted the filming of a scene to make a really inappropriate comment about her appearance. “We started filming and the very famous director screamed ‘Cut’ and said, ‘How quickly can we get a plastic surgeon in here? Her nose is ruining my movie,...
- 2/9/2017
- by Yoselin Acevedo
- Indiewire
Previous | Image 1 of 18 | NextOPENING Night: Rosemarie DeWitt of ‘La La Land.’
Chicago – The glamor and the action always takes place on the Red Carpet, and the 52nd Chicago International Film Festival had one virtually every night of their two week 2016 run. New and veteran celebrities walked the carpet, representing their films or being honored at the fest, and HollywoodChicago.com was there.
The following are the Red Carpet questions asked and answered by the participants.
Click “Next” and “Previous” to scan through the slideshow or jump directly to individual photos with the captioned links below. All photos © Joe Arce for HollywoodChicago.com.
Opening Night: Premiere of “La La Land”
Featured actor Rosemarie DeWitt and Director Damian Chazelle was in attendance on October 13th, 2016.
HollywoodChicago.com: What do you think is key to not acting self conscious in acting when you’re about to burst into song?
Rosemarie DeWitt: Well,...
Chicago – The glamor and the action always takes place on the Red Carpet, and the 52nd Chicago International Film Festival had one virtually every night of their two week 2016 run. New and veteran celebrities walked the carpet, representing their films or being honored at the fest, and HollywoodChicago.com was there.
The following are the Red Carpet questions asked and answered by the participants.
Click “Next” and “Previous” to scan through the slideshow or jump directly to individual photos with the captioned links below. All photos © Joe Arce for HollywoodChicago.com.
Opening Night: Premiere of “La La Land”
Featured actor Rosemarie DeWitt and Director Damian Chazelle was in attendance on October 13th, 2016.
HollywoodChicago.com: What do you think is key to not acting self conscious in acting when you’re about to burst into song?
Rosemarie DeWitt: Well,...
- 10/27/2016
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Emmanuel “Chivo” Lubezki is a brilliant cinematographer whose work has helped shape the landscape of modern cinematic photography. During his 32-year career, Lubezki has worked with such greats as Mike Nichols, Joel and Ethan Coen, Terrence Malick, and Michael Mann, as well as technology-defying directors such as Alfonso Cuarón and Alejandro González Iñárritu. He even worked alongside Martin Scorsese as a camera operator on The Rolling Stones documentary Shine a Light, alongside Robert Richardson.
Lubezki’s latest project reunites him with Iñárritu for a brooding, intense historical epic about fur trapper Hugo Glass. Although the movie itself receives a somewhat mixed reception, Lubezki’s photography alone is worth the price of admission, as we noted in our yearly cinematography wrap-up. Before checking out The Revenant when it opens wide this Friday, we’ve selected some of our favorites in his illustrious filmography, each exquisite in their own unique ways. Please enjoy below,...
Lubezki’s latest project reunites him with Iñárritu for a brooding, intense historical epic about fur trapper Hugo Glass. Although the movie itself receives a somewhat mixed reception, Lubezki’s photography alone is worth the price of admission, as we noted in our yearly cinematography wrap-up. Before checking out The Revenant when it opens wide this Friday, we’ve selected some of our favorites in his illustrious filmography, each exquisite in their own unique ways. Please enjoy below,...
- 1/6/2016
- by Tony Hinds
- The Film Stage
Sergio Arau: Filmmaker, musician, band leader, song writer and visual artist.
I met him recently at the terrific Loft Film Festival in Tucson Az along with his wonderful charming and smart wife Yareli Arizmendi.
To get this out of the way, his dad is the famous Director Alfonso Arau. In addition to directing "Like Water for Chocolate"/ "Como agua para chocolate" (1992), his directing credits include "A Walk in the Clouds" (1995) with Keanu Reeves and "Picking Up the Pieces" (2000) with Woody Allen.
Sergio the son was born in Mexico City. His wife -- they met on the set of "Like Water For Chocolate" -- is the amazing Yareli Arizmendi. They are partners in "life and film".
Their first production was a cabaret show in Mexico. "Penny Envy" was the name of it and it satirized the Us-Mexico "free trade agreement" of 1992. Yareli wrote and performed the monologues while Sergio wrote the songs, sang and played the music. The show played both in the Mexico and the United States through the Performance Art Network. The show was in universities in California, NYC and Boulder.
Sergio attended Cuec Film School from 1976 to 1980. There he directed short films, one of which went to the Film Festival in Havana. He graduated with a feature script about kids in San Luis Potosi who kidnap the Virgin of Guadalupe. He was going to make it but then in 1982 the Us $ vs the Mx Peso had a 20 times increase and his budget went away.
His "day job" during film school was as a political cartoonist for two papers, La Jornada and Uno Mas Uno.
He stopped playing music all together after the infamous mass government killings of students in 1968 when the Mexican government tried to stop all protest rock n roll, so the music went underground. In 1983 he formed the band, Botellita de Jerez.
In 1985 the band opened Rockotitlan which to this date is recognized as the breaking ground and breathing room for the 80's rock scene and important contemporary Mexican bands such as Cafe Tacvba and Caifanes amongst others. The club had two unalienable rules: Music played must be original and compositions must be in Spanish.
He began in 1990 to make music videos of his songs. He did the concept, the visuals and music. He then began to direct for other groups and other genres.
In 1998 MTV awarded him best rock video award for the Cafe Tacvba version of "Alarmala de Tos" one of Sergio's original songs.
In 1992 he moved to San Diego and by 1994 was disconcerted by the the anti-immigrant sentiment whipped up by Governor Wilson's Proposition 187.
Yareli, as a way to deal with California's blind spot, came up with "A Day Without a Mexican." The idea that if California or the nation experienced one day without a single Latino, the reality of the valuable contribution and interdependence of all would sink in.
He and Yareli were financially backed in 1997 by the Fine Arts Center Museum of Chicago to secure the premiere of the short film "A Day Without a Mexican" in 1998.
At the Guadalajara Film Fest 1998, the short won the Audience Award. It was there that Alta Vista Films (producer of Iñarritu's "Amores Perros") approached the team to work on the feature-length version. Written by both, directed by Sergio and starring Yareli, the film, with a Us $2 million budget, was released in the U.S. May 14, 2004 and six months later in Mexico. It was Mexico's highest box office for that year. The film was Televisa's first distribution experience it in the U.S., where a limited release in California, Texas, Chicago yielded Us $4.5 million in theaters, and more than 500,000 DVD were sold.
Their teaser campaign consisted of a billboard in the heart of Hollywood that read: "On May 14 there will be no Mexicans in California." People reacted strongly to the message calling radio and TV stations. Viacom, owner of the billboard space, took it down after 3 hours fearing riots. As a result there was huge U.S. national press coverage including the Wall Street Journal featured story on page one and Dan Rather Evening news.
In 2007 he shot "Naco es Chido"/ "Kitsch is Cool", a Mexican "Spinal Tap" featuring his band, Botellita de Jerez. As a distribution strategy, he took the film on the road, screening it and following it up with a live concert with the band. This lasted for 3 years, 2010-2012.
He is currently working on the sequel: "Another Day Without a Mexican: This Time It's Personal."...
I met him recently at the terrific Loft Film Festival in Tucson Az along with his wonderful charming and smart wife Yareli Arizmendi.
To get this out of the way, his dad is the famous Director Alfonso Arau. In addition to directing "Like Water for Chocolate"/ "Como agua para chocolate" (1992), his directing credits include "A Walk in the Clouds" (1995) with Keanu Reeves and "Picking Up the Pieces" (2000) with Woody Allen.
Sergio the son was born in Mexico City. His wife -- they met on the set of "Like Water For Chocolate" -- is the amazing Yareli Arizmendi. They are partners in "life and film".
Their first production was a cabaret show in Mexico. "Penny Envy" was the name of it and it satirized the Us-Mexico "free trade agreement" of 1992. Yareli wrote and performed the monologues while Sergio wrote the songs, sang and played the music. The show played both in the Mexico and the United States through the Performance Art Network. The show was in universities in California, NYC and Boulder.
Sergio attended Cuec Film School from 1976 to 1980. There he directed short films, one of which went to the Film Festival in Havana. He graduated with a feature script about kids in San Luis Potosi who kidnap the Virgin of Guadalupe. He was going to make it but then in 1982 the Us $ vs the Mx Peso had a 20 times increase and his budget went away.
His "day job" during film school was as a political cartoonist for two papers, La Jornada and Uno Mas Uno.
He stopped playing music all together after the infamous mass government killings of students in 1968 when the Mexican government tried to stop all protest rock n roll, so the music went underground. In 1983 he formed the band, Botellita de Jerez.
In 1985 the band opened Rockotitlan which to this date is recognized as the breaking ground and breathing room for the 80's rock scene and important contemporary Mexican bands such as Cafe Tacvba and Caifanes amongst others. The club had two unalienable rules: Music played must be original and compositions must be in Spanish.
He began in 1990 to make music videos of his songs. He did the concept, the visuals and music. He then began to direct for other groups and other genres.
In 1998 MTV awarded him best rock video award for the Cafe Tacvba version of "Alarmala de Tos" one of Sergio's original songs.
In 1992 he moved to San Diego and by 1994 was disconcerted by the the anti-immigrant sentiment whipped up by Governor Wilson's Proposition 187.
Yareli, as a way to deal with California's blind spot, came up with "A Day Without a Mexican." The idea that if California or the nation experienced one day without a single Latino, the reality of the valuable contribution and interdependence of all would sink in.
He and Yareli were financially backed in 1997 by the Fine Arts Center Museum of Chicago to secure the premiere of the short film "A Day Without a Mexican" in 1998.
At the Guadalajara Film Fest 1998, the short won the Audience Award. It was there that Alta Vista Films (producer of Iñarritu's "Amores Perros") approached the team to work on the feature-length version. Written by both, directed by Sergio and starring Yareli, the film, with a Us $2 million budget, was released in the U.S. May 14, 2004 and six months later in Mexico. It was Mexico's highest box office for that year. The film was Televisa's first distribution experience it in the U.S., where a limited release in California, Texas, Chicago yielded Us $4.5 million in theaters, and more than 500,000 DVD were sold.
Their teaser campaign consisted of a billboard in the heart of Hollywood that read: "On May 14 there will be no Mexicans in California." People reacted strongly to the message calling radio and TV stations. Viacom, owner of the billboard space, took it down after 3 hours fearing riots. As a result there was huge U.S. national press coverage including the Wall Street Journal featured story on page one and Dan Rather Evening news.
In 2007 he shot "Naco es Chido"/ "Kitsch is Cool", a Mexican "Spinal Tap" featuring his band, Botellita de Jerez. As a distribution strategy, he took the film on the road, screening it and following it up with a live concert with the band. This lasted for 3 years, 2010-2012.
He is currently working on the sequel: "Another Day Without a Mexican: This Time It's Personal."...
- 1/5/2016
- by Peter Belsito
- Sydney's Buzz
The Tucson’s Loft Film Fest starts today and runs until Sunday October 25. The program will bring some of the best works from around the globe to Tucson, many of which will be have their local premier during the festival.
The acclaimed drama "Court," a quietly devastating portrait of political injustice involving an elderly folk singer facing persecution for his art, is India’s official Oscar entry for Best Foreign Language Film, as well as the winner of the Lion of the Future Award for director Chaitanya Tamhane at the Venice Film Festival. This is the film’s Tucson Premiere.
"Mustang" France’s official entry for the Best Foreign Language Oscar and winner of the Europa Cinemas Label award at the Cannes Directors’ Fortnight, is a haunting portrait of five young sisters struggling to come of age under highly unusual circumstances in a remote Turkish coastal village. The film makes its Arizona Premiere at The Loft Film Fest.
The Loft Film Fest 2015 will also showcase numerous top prize winners from major film festivals around the world, including Cannes, Sundance, Toronto, Venice and more.
The highly-anticipated new British drama "45 Years," directed by Andrew Haigh ("Weekend"), will have its Arizona Premiere at The Loft Film Fest. This riveting and melancholy tale of a long-married couple confronting a dark secret from their past, has generated major Oscar buzz and garnered the Best Actress and Best Actor awards at the 2015 Berlin International Film Festival for its celebrated stars, Charlotte Rampling ("Swimming Pool") and Tom Courtenay ("Doctor Zhivago").
The moving Italian drama "Mia Madre"from acclaimed filmmaker Nanni Moretti ("The Son’s Room"), stars Margherita Buy ( "Days and Clouds") and John Turturro ("O Brother, Where Are Thou?") and tells the story of a harried filmmaker juggling with production of her new film with caring for her dying mother. Winner of the prestigious Prize of the Ecumenical Jury at the Cannes Film Festival, the film will also have its Arizona Premiere at The Loft Film Fest.
"Taxi" the crowd-pleasing comedy/drama from Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi, ("The White Balloon") follows the filmmaker himself as he assumes the role of taxi driver for a number of diverse citizens in his home country, learning about their lives as he ferries them through the city. Winner of the Fipresci Prize at the Berlin International Film Festival,"Taxi" makes its Tucson Premiere at The Loft Film Fest.
Just a few of the other major international festival award winners hitting the screen at the Loft Film Fest include Pedro Costa’s "Horse Money" (winner of the Locarno International Film Festival award for Best Director); Sebastian Silva’s "Nasty Baby," starring Kristin Wiig (winner of the Teddy Award for Best Feature Film at the Berlin International Film Festival) and "In Transit," the final film from legendary documentary filmmaker Albert Maysles (winner of a Best Documentary Special Jury Mention at the Tribeca Film Festival).
Many more prize-winning features, documentaries and short films will light up the screen at The 2015 Loft Film Fest. In addition to acclaimed films, the fest brings an incredible line-up of filmmakers and special guests to Tucson! Rita Moreno ("West Side Story"), Alfonso Arau ( " Like Water for Chocolate.""Three Amigos"), Larry McMurtry & Diana Ossana (10th Anniversary Screening of "Brokeback Mountain"), Bobcat Goldthwait ("Call Me Lucky"), Michael Joplin (brother of Janis Joplin with the doc "Janis: Little Girl Blue"), Andrea B. Scott ("Florence, Az"), Francesco Clerici ("Hand Gestures"), Jessica Cox & Nick Spark ("Right-Footed") and Justin Johnson ("Double Digits") are among the guests who will be on hand to present films alongside critically-acclaimed films selected from prestigious festivals around the globe. For more information and to purchase tickets and passes, please visit: www.loftfilmfest.org.
The acclaimed drama "Court," a quietly devastating portrait of political injustice involving an elderly folk singer facing persecution for his art, is India’s official Oscar entry for Best Foreign Language Film, as well as the winner of the Lion of the Future Award for director Chaitanya Tamhane at the Venice Film Festival. This is the film’s Tucson Premiere.
"Mustang" France’s official entry for the Best Foreign Language Oscar and winner of the Europa Cinemas Label award at the Cannes Directors’ Fortnight, is a haunting portrait of five young sisters struggling to come of age under highly unusual circumstances in a remote Turkish coastal village. The film makes its Arizona Premiere at The Loft Film Fest.
The Loft Film Fest 2015 will also showcase numerous top prize winners from major film festivals around the world, including Cannes, Sundance, Toronto, Venice and more.
The highly-anticipated new British drama "45 Years," directed by Andrew Haigh ("Weekend"), will have its Arizona Premiere at The Loft Film Fest. This riveting and melancholy tale of a long-married couple confronting a dark secret from their past, has generated major Oscar buzz and garnered the Best Actress and Best Actor awards at the 2015 Berlin International Film Festival for its celebrated stars, Charlotte Rampling ("Swimming Pool") and Tom Courtenay ("Doctor Zhivago").
The moving Italian drama "Mia Madre"from acclaimed filmmaker Nanni Moretti ("The Son’s Room"), stars Margherita Buy ( "Days and Clouds") and John Turturro ("O Brother, Where Are Thou?") and tells the story of a harried filmmaker juggling with production of her new film with caring for her dying mother. Winner of the prestigious Prize of the Ecumenical Jury at the Cannes Film Festival, the film will also have its Arizona Premiere at The Loft Film Fest.
"Taxi" the crowd-pleasing comedy/drama from Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi, ("The White Balloon") follows the filmmaker himself as he assumes the role of taxi driver for a number of diverse citizens in his home country, learning about their lives as he ferries them through the city. Winner of the Fipresci Prize at the Berlin International Film Festival,"Taxi" makes its Tucson Premiere at The Loft Film Fest.
Just a few of the other major international festival award winners hitting the screen at the Loft Film Fest include Pedro Costa’s "Horse Money" (winner of the Locarno International Film Festival award for Best Director); Sebastian Silva’s "Nasty Baby," starring Kristin Wiig (winner of the Teddy Award for Best Feature Film at the Berlin International Film Festival) and "In Transit," the final film from legendary documentary filmmaker Albert Maysles (winner of a Best Documentary Special Jury Mention at the Tribeca Film Festival).
Many more prize-winning features, documentaries and short films will light up the screen at The 2015 Loft Film Fest. In addition to acclaimed films, the fest brings an incredible line-up of filmmakers and special guests to Tucson! Rita Moreno ("West Side Story"), Alfonso Arau ( " Like Water for Chocolate.""Three Amigos"), Larry McMurtry & Diana Ossana (10th Anniversary Screening of "Brokeback Mountain"), Bobcat Goldthwait ("Call Me Lucky"), Michael Joplin (brother of Janis Joplin with the doc "Janis: Little Girl Blue"), Andrea B. Scott ("Florence, Az"), Francesco Clerici ("Hand Gestures"), Jessica Cox & Nick Spark ("Right-Footed") and Justin Johnson ("Double Digits") are among the guests who will be on hand to present films alongside critically-acclaimed films selected from prestigious festivals around the globe. For more information and to purchase tickets and passes, please visit: www.loftfilmfest.org.
- 10/21/2015
- by Peter Belsito
- Sydney's Buzz
Iconic actress Rita Moreno ("West Side Story"), internationally-renowned filmmaker/actor Alfonso Arau ("Like Water for Chocolate") and Oscar-winning screenwriters Larry McMurtry and Diana Ossana ("Brokeback Mountain"), will be the special guests this October at the 6th annual Loft Film Fest to take place at The Loft Cinema in Tucson, Arizona.
The festival will feature an incredible array of legendary, award-winning performers, filmmakers and screenwriters, as well as a stellar program of critically-acclaimed films selected from prestigious festivals around the globe, including Cannes, Sundance, Toronto, Venice.
The film selection includes the documentary "Hitchcock/Truffaut," which will premiere at Tiff, the Sundance comedy hit "Entertainment" (starring Michael Cera and John C. Reilly), and the latest film from celebrated Iranian director Jafar Panahi, "Taxi" (winner of the Golden Bear at Berlin).
The festival will also host “under the stars” screenings of Hollywood classics like "Three Amigos" (starring Alfonso Arau) and Hitchcock’s "Psycho" in the Loft parking lot, presented on The Loft’s new, state-of-the-art outdoor screen and projection system. On opening night, October 21, the festival will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the classic comedy "Back to the Future" with a special "Back to the Future Day" double feature of the first two films in the trilogy. Live '50s music, themed-food, and other surprises will make the evening even more memorable.
The Guests
Rita Moreno is a legendary star of stage, screen and television, and is one of only 12 performers in history to be classified as an Egot winner (winner of an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony). She is one of only four women to have achieved this landmark status, as well as the first Hispanic performer to be thusly honored. Over the course of her groundbreaking career, Ms. Moreno has starred in such iconic classics as "Singin’ in the Rain," "The King and I" and "West Side Story" (for which she won the 1962 Best Supporting Actress Academy Award), performed on Broadway in hits like "The Last of the Red Hot Lovers" and "The Ritz" (for which she won the 1975 Tony Award for Best Featured Actress), appeared on such successful television shows as "Oz, The Electric Company" and "The Muppet Show" (for which she was awarded a 1977 Emmy), recorded albums (including her Grammy-winning 1973 album for children, "The Electric Company") and written a New York Times best-selling memoir, 2014’s Rita Moreno: A Memoir. She has also been awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Screen Actors Guild Lifetime Achievement Award, and in December, 2015, she will receive a prestigious Kennedy Center Honor. Ms. Moreno will appear at The Loft Film Fest for a tribute that will include a career highlight reel, an onstage Q&A, the presentation of a 2015 Loft Lifetime Achievement Award and a screening of "West Side Story."
Alfonso Arau, one of the legends of Mexican cinema, is the internationally-renowned director of such acclaimed films as " Zapata: The Dream of a Hero," "A Walk in the Clouds" and the arthouse smash, "Like Water for Chocolate" (winner of the 1992 Ariel Awards for Best Picture and Best Director). Over the course of his distinguished career, he has also made numerous memorable appearances as an actor in such classics as "The Wild Bunch," "El Topo" and the Tucson-shot comedy "Three Amigos" (in the unforgettable role of El Guapo). At The Loft Film Fest, Mr. Arau will also receive a tribute that will include a career highlight reel, an onstage Q&A, presentation of a 2015 Lofty Lifetime Achievement Award and a screening of "Like Water for Chocolate." Filmmaker/artist/actress Yareli Arizmendi (star of "Like Water for Chocolate") and filmmaker/artist/actor Sergio Arau ("Day without a Mexicans"), the son of Mr. Arau, will also appear at this event. The Loft Film Fest will also present an “under the stars” screening of "Three Amigos" on the Loft’s new outdoor screen in the parking lot.
Larry McMurtry and Diana Ossana are the Academy Award-winning co-screenwriters and co-producers of the groundbreaking hit film, "Brokeback Mountain." Mr. Murtry is a prolific, Pulitzer Prize-winning author (for the best-selling novel Lonesome Dove) and the Oscar-nominated screenwriter of "The Last Picture Show" (based on his novel). Ms. Ossana is an acclaimed writer and Oscar-nominated producer (for "Brokeback Mountain"). The Loft Film Fest will present a special 10thanniversary screening of "Brokeback Mountain," and Mr. McMurtry and Ms. Ossana will participate in an onstage Q&A to discuss the film’s lasting impact and legacy.
The Films
"Hitchcock/Truffaut," a new documentary by Kent Jones, uses the 1962 meeting between the two legendary directors, Alfred Hitchcock and Francois Truffaut, as a jumping off point for an exploration of the endlessly fascinating work of Hitchcock, the Master of Suspense. After premiering at Cannes earlier this year, the film will have its Arizona Premiere at The Loft Film Fest, following its North American premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in September. The Loft Film Fest will also present an “under the stars” screening of Hitchcock’s classic 1960 scare-fest, "Psycho," in the parking lot on The Loft’s beautiful new outdoor screen!
"Entertainment," a hilarious new dark comedy from Rick Alverson, follows the misadventures of an aging, broken-down comedian playing a string of disastrous shows in the Mojave Desert while en route to meet his estranged daughter. Starring Michael Cera, John C. Reilly and Gregg Turkington (aka comedian Neil Hamburger), "Entertainment" makes its Tucson debut at The Loft Film Fest following successful screenings at Sundance and SXSW.
"Taxi," the new film from celebrated Iranian director Jafar Panahi ("Offside," "The White Balloon"), features Panahi himself starring as a taxi driver in Tehran whose conversations with the diverse passengers he picks up are hilarious, enlightening and heartbreaking. Winner of the Golden Bear and the Fipresci Prize at this year’s Berlin International Film Festival, Taxi will be making its Arizona debut at The Loft Film Fest.
The festival will feature an incredible array of legendary, award-winning performers, filmmakers and screenwriters, as well as a stellar program of critically-acclaimed films selected from prestigious festivals around the globe, including Cannes, Sundance, Toronto, Venice.
The film selection includes the documentary "Hitchcock/Truffaut," which will premiere at Tiff, the Sundance comedy hit "Entertainment" (starring Michael Cera and John C. Reilly), and the latest film from celebrated Iranian director Jafar Panahi, "Taxi" (winner of the Golden Bear at Berlin).
The festival will also host “under the stars” screenings of Hollywood classics like "Three Amigos" (starring Alfonso Arau) and Hitchcock’s "Psycho" in the Loft parking lot, presented on The Loft’s new, state-of-the-art outdoor screen and projection system. On opening night, October 21, the festival will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the classic comedy "Back to the Future" with a special "Back to the Future Day" double feature of the first two films in the trilogy. Live '50s music, themed-food, and other surprises will make the evening even more memorable.
The Guests
Rita Moreno is a legendary star of stage, screen and television, and is one of only 12 performers in history to be classified as an Egot winner (winner of an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony). She is one of only four women to have achieved this landmark status, as well as the first Hispanic performer to be thusly honored. Over the course of her groundbreaking career, Ms. Moreno has starred in such iconic classics as "Singin’ in the Rain," "The King and I" and "West Side Story" (for which she won the 1962 Best Supporting Actress Academy Award), performed on Broadway in hits like "The Last of the Red Hot Lovers" and "The Ritz" (for which she won the 1975 Tony Award for Best Featured Actress), appeared on such successful television shows as "Oz, The Electric Company" and "The Muppet Show" (for which she was awarded a 1977 Emmy), recorded albums (including her Grammy-winning 1973 album for children, "The Electric Company") and written a New York Times best-selling memoir, 2014’s Rita Moreno: A Memoir. She has also been awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Screen Actors Guild Lifetime Achievement Award, and in December, 2015, she will receive a prestigious Kennedy Center Honor. Ms. Moreno will appear at The Loft Film Fest for a tribute that will include a career highlight reel, an onstage Q&A, the presentation of a 2015 Loft Lifetime Achievement Award and a screening of "West Side Story."
Alfonso Arau, one of the legends of Mexican cinema, is the internationally-renowned director of such acclaimed films as " Zapata: The Dream of a Hero," "A Walk in the Clouds" and the arthouse smash, "Like Water for Chocolate" (winner of the 1992 Ariel Awards for Best Picture and Best Director). Over the course of his distinguished career, he has also made numerous memorable appearances as an actor in such classics as "The Wild Bunch," "El Topo" and the Tucson-shot comedy "Three Amigos" (in the unforgettable role of El Guapo). At The Loft Film Fest, Mr. Arau will also receive a tribute that will include a career highlight reel, an onstage Q&A, presentation of a 2015 Lofty Lifetime Achievement Award and a screening of "Like Water for Chocolate." Filmmaker/artist/actress Yareli Arizmendi (star of "Like Water for Chocolate") and filmmaker/artist/actor Sergio Arau ("Day without a Mexicans"), the son of Mr. Arau, will also appear at this event. The Loft Film Fest will also present an “under the stars” screening of "Three Amigos" on the Loft’s new outdoor screen in the parking lot.
Larry McMurtry and Diana Ossana are the Academy Award-winning co-screenwriters and co-producers of the groundbreaking hit film, "Brokeback Mountain." Mr. Murtry is a prolific, Pulitzer Prize-winning author (for the best-selling novel Lonesome Dove) and the Oscar-nominated screenwriter of "The Last Picture Show" (based on his novel). Ms. Ossana is an acclaimed writer and Oscar-nominated producer (for "Brokeback Mountain"). The Loft Film Fest will present a special 10thanniversary screening of "Brokeback Mountain," and Mr. McMurtry and Ms. Ossana will participate in an onstage Q&A to discuss the film’s lasting impact and legacy.
The Films
"Hitchcock/Truffaut," a new documentary by Kent Jones, uses the 1962 meeting between the two legendary directors, Alfred Hitchcock and Francois Truffaut, as a jumping off point for an exploration of the endlessly fascinating work of Hitchcock, the Master of Suspense. After premiering at Cannes earlier this year, the film will have its Arizona Premiere at The Loft Film Fest, following its North American premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in September. The Loft Film Fest will also present an “under the stars” screening of Hitchcock’s classic 1960 scare-fest, "Psycho," in the parking lot on The Loft’s beautiful new outdoor screen!
"Entertainment," a hilarious new dark comedy from Rick Alverson, follows the misadventures of an aging, broken-down comedian playing a string of disastrous shows in the Mojave Desert while en route to meet his estranged daughter. Starring Michael Cera, John C. Reilly and Gregg Turkington (aka comedian Neil Hamburger), "Entertainment" makes its Tucson debut at The Loft Film Fest following successful screenings at Sundance and SXSW.
"Taxi," the new film from celebrated Iranian director Jafar Panahi ("Offside," "The White Balloon"), features Panahi himself starring as a taxi driver in Tehran whose conversations with the diverse passengers he picks up are hilarious, enlightening and heartbreaking. Winner of the Golden Bear and the Fipresci Prize at this year’s Berlin International Film Festival, Taxi will be making its Arizona debut at The Loft Film Fest.
- 8/19/2015
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
Ficg in La Lineup Includes U.S. and L.A. Premieres of Some the Best Latin American Films of the Year
The Guadalajara International Film Festival in Los Angeles (Ficg in La) - presented by the University of Guadalajara Foundation in USA and Conaculta has announced its lineup. "Messi" directed by Álex de la Iglesia, will be the Opening Night film for the 2015 Festival. This documentary portrays today’s greatest soccer player who at age 11 ran the risk of seeing his career ending before it started. With informal interviews, re-enactments, and spectacular footage of Messi’s legendary exploits, this film tells the incredible, true story of his rise to glory.
The 2015 Ficg in La, which returns to the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood for its fifth year and runs from Thursday, August 27 to Sunday, August 30, brings the best of contemporary Mexican and Latin American cinema to Los Angeles, and is an extension of the Guadalajara International Film Festival.
Featuring outstanding and award-winning titles from FICG30, which ran from March 6-15, 2015 in Guadalajara, Ficg in La will offer the premiere of other titles that have emerged in the world of cinema throughout the year to great critical acclaim.
The aim of the festival is to increase access and visibility of Mexican and Latin American cinema in the U.S., facilitating the exchange of ideas through stories and issues of cultural and social relevance, create a space for collaboration between filmmakers, and strengthen relations between the film industry in Mexico and the U.S.
Ficg in La includes film screenings followed by Q&As with filmmakers and talent, as well as galas, panels and special award recognitions to Latin American and U.S. Latino artists.
“Ficg in La 2015 represents the culmination of five years of continuous dedication and passion to further the Latino arts and cinema in the U.S. What was once a tiny three-day showcase of Latino and Ibero-American cinema, is now a lively, eventful film festival, filled with industry events, work-in-progress competitions, family-oriented programs and panel discussions. Los Angeles is the perfect backdrop for Ficg in La to thrive, as it is a patchwork of so many different cultures and communities from across Latin America; however, we hope that our audience is as diverse as the city itself, because many of these stories universally relate to communities of all backgrounds,” said Hebe Tabachnik, Director and Producer of Ficg in La.
“In five years, the Guadalajara International Film Festival in Los Angeles (Ficg in La), has aimed to promote the Mexican and Latin American cinema so that people from elsewhere can enjoy and appreciate the great productions that have been made in Ibero-America; and likewise we have done everything possible to make filmmakers from the Us and Canada get interested in addressing Latino themes and help them honing their skills to provide stronger ground for their projects,”said Iván Trujillo Bolio, Director of Ficg.
Among the celebrities who have accompanied us in previous editions are: Carlos Cuarón, Edward James Olmos, Sergio Arau, Diana Bracho, Alfonso Arau, Kate del Castillo, Martha Higareda, Beto Cuevas, Irene Azuela, Dulce Maria, Carmen Salinas and Jay Hernandez.
Read More: LatinoBuzz: Duo Ben Odell and Eugenio Derbez of 3Pas Studios
Eugenio Derbez will receive the Tree of Life award in representation of the Derbez dynasty. Oscar winner Eugenio Caballero (Best Art Direction, "Pan's Labyrinth"), Ofelia Medina (Mexican actress), Josep Parera (Entertainment Editor La Opinion) and Lpb (Latino Public Broadcasting) will also receive the festival’s Tree of Life Award for their contributions to Mexican, Latino and Ibero-American culture. Previous recipients include Demián Bichir (actor), Juan Carlos Arciniegas (CNN en Espanol), Fernando Luján (actor), Rubén Luengas (journalist), Gabriel Beristain (Director of Photography) and Emilio Kauderer (Music Composer).
Ficg in La continues to support Latino and Ibero-American films with Guadalajara Construye in Los Angeles 2 and DocuLab.2 Los Angeles by selecting six projects from filmmakers seeking post-production funds. The films will be screened for jury members, sponsors and film industry professionals. The winners will be announced on Friday August 28.
In addition, the winning projects in each competition will automatically qualify to be considered for Guadalajara Construye 10 or DocuLab.8 Guadalajara, or for the Ibero-American Competitions of the next edition of the Guadalajara International Film Festival (FICG31) – March 4 - 13, 2016.
To reaffirm the social mission of Ficg and the University of Guadalajara Foundation in USA, Ficg in La will donate again all of its proceeds to a charitable cause. We will announce soon the recipient of this year’s fundraising effort.
13 Feature and documentary films and 12 short films will be showcased in this year’s festival
Opening Night Gala – August 28, 2015
"Messi" Dir. Álex de la Iglesia (Spain, 2014, L.A. Premiere)
Closing Night Gala – August 30, 2015
"Ciudad Delirio," Dir. Chus Gutiérrez (Colombia, 2014, 100 min., L.A. Premiere)
Special Events:
• Kids Gala: "El Jeremías" (Jeremy) Dir. Anwar Safa (Mexico, 2015, Us Premiere)
• Maguey (Lgbt) Gala: "Made in Bangkok" Dir. Flavio Florencio (México – Alemania, 2015, Us Premiere)
• Art, Health & Healing Special Screening: "Juanicas"
Dir. Karina García Casanova (Mexico – Canada, 2015, Us Premiere)
and "La Teta de Botero," Dir. Humberto Busto, Mexico (short film)
• Human Rights Special Screening: "La Prenda" (The Pawn)
Dir. Jean-Cosme Delaloye (Guatemala – Suiza, 2014, Sneak Preview) in Association with the Mill Valley Film Festival.
• Free Screening: "La Once" (Tea Time) –Dir. Maite Alberti (Chile, 2014)
Other Feature Films
"El Patrón, Radiografía de un Crimen" (The Boss, Anatomy Of A Crime)
Dir. Sebastián Schindel (Argentina, 2014, L.A. Premiere)
HBO Latino presents – Heroes Cotidianos – “El cometa”
Dir. Alejandra Sánchez (Mexico, 2014, Sneak Preview)
"Ixcanul" Dir. Jayro Bustamante (Guatemala - France, 2015, Sneak Preview)
"Loreak" (Flowers) Dir. Jon Garaño, José Mari Goenaga (Spain, 2014, L.A. Premiere)
"Pocha" (Manifest Destiny) Dir. Michael Dwyer (USA – Mexico, 2015)
"Que Viva la Música" (Liveforever)
Dir. Carlos Moreno (Colombia -Mexico, 2015, L.A Premiere)
Short Films
Mexican Animated Shorts Showcase & Panel (in chronological order)
"Como preparar un sandwich" (How to Prepare a Sandwich) Dir. Rigo Mora
"Hasta Los Huesos" (Down to the Bones) Dir. René Castillo
"Jacinta" Dir. Karla Castañeda
"Jaulas" (Cages) Dir. Juan José Medina
"Prita Noire" (Black Doll) Dir. Sofía Carrillo
"La Casa Triste" (The Sad House) Dir. Sofia Carrillo
"La Noria" ( The Waterwheel) Dir. Karla Castaneda
"Lluvia en los Ojos" (Rain in the Eyes) Dir. Rita Basulto
"Zimbo" (Zimbo) Dir. Rita Basulto & Juan Jose Medina
Shorts Before Features
"Ella" (Her) Dir. Ximena Urrutia (Mexico, 2014, 23 min)
"Mestizo," Dir. Talon Gonzalez (USA, 2014, 10 min.)
"La Teta de Botero," Dir. Humberto Busto (Mexico, 2015, 18 min., Us Premiere)
The screening of the selected work-in-progress films will be for industry accredited to the festival. These screenings are not open to the general public or member of the press.
Guadalajara Construye in Los Angeles 2
• "Angelica," Dir. Marisol Gómez-Mouakad, Puerto Rico/USA
• "Dementia" (Demencia), Dir. Jose Luís Valenzuela, Mexico/USA
• "Lupe under the Sun" (Lupe bajo el sol), Dir. Rodrigo Reyes, Mexico/USA
DocuLab.2 Los Angeles
• "No Dresscode Required" (Etiqueta no rigurosa), Dir. Cristina Herrera Borquez, Mexico/USA
• "Looking at the Stars" (Ol" ando pras estrelas), Dir. Alexandre Peralta, Nicaragua/Brazil/USA
• "Omar & Gloria" (Omar y Gloria), Dir. Jimmy Cohen, Mexico/Canada
Ficg in La is presented by the University of Guadalajara Foundation in USA and Conaculta, with Principal Sponsors the University of Guadalajara, the Guadalajara International Film Festival, the Institute of Cinema Mexico (Imcine), Univision and La Opinion.
The 2015 Ficg in La, which returns to the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood for its fifth year and runs from Thursday, August 27 to Sunday, August 30, brings the best of contemporary Mexican and Latin American cinema to Los Angeles, and is an extension of the Guadalajara International Film Festival.
Featuring outstanding and award-winning titles from FICG30, which ran from March 6-15, 2015 in Guadalajara, Ficg in La will offer the premiere of other titles that have emerged in the world of cinema throughout the year to great critical acclaim.
The aim of the festival is to increase access and visibility of Mexican and Latin American cinema in the U.S., facilitating the exchange of ideas through stories and issues of cultural and social relevance, create a space for collaboration between filmmakers, and strengthen relations between the film industry in Mexico and the U.S.
Ficg in La includes film screenings followed by Q&As with filmmakers and talent, as well as galas, panels and special award recognitions to Latin American and U.S. Latino artists.
“Ficg in La 2015 represents the culmination of five years of continuous dedication and passion to further the Latino arts and cinema in the U.S. What was once a tiny three-day showcase of Latino and Ibero-American cinema, is now a lively, eventful film festival, filled with industry events, work-in-progress competitions, family-oriented programs and panel discussions. Los Angeles is the perfect backdrop for Ficg in La to thrive, as it is a patchwork of so many different cultures and communities from across Latin America; however, we hope that our audience is as diverse as the city itself, because many of these stories universally relate to communities of all backgrounds,” said Hebe Tabachnik, Director and Producer of Ficg in La.
“In five years, the Guadalajara International Film Festival in Los Angeles (Ficg in La), has aimed to promote the Mexican and Latin American cinema so that people from elsewhere can enjoy and appreciate the great productions that have been made in Ibero-America; and likewise we have done everything possible to make filmmakers from the Us and Canada get interested in addressing Latino themes and help them honing their skills to provide stronger ground for their projects,”said Iván Trujillo Bolio, Director of Ficg.
Among the celebrities who have accompanied us in previous editions are: Carlos Cuarón, Edward James Olmos, Sergio Arau, Diana Bracho, Alfonso Arau, Kate del Castillo, Martha Higareda, Beto Cuevas, Irene Azuela, Dulce Maria, Carmen Salinas and Jay Hernandez.
Read More: LatinoBuzz: Duo Ben Odell and Eugenio Derbez of 3Pas Studios
Eugenio Derbez will receive the Tree of Life award in representation of the Derbez dynasty. Oscar winner Eugenio Caballero (Best Art Direction, "Pan's Labyrinth"), Ofelia Medina (Mexican actress), Josep Parera (Entertainment Editor La Opinion) and Lpb (Latino Public Broadcasting) will also receive the festival’s Tree of Life Award for their contributions to Mexican, Latino and Ibero-American culture. Previous recipients include Demián Bichir (actor), Juan Carlos Arciniegas (CNN en Espanol), Fernando Luján (actor), Rubén Luengas (journalist), Gabriel Beristain (Director of Photography) and Emilio Kauderer (Music Composer).
Ficg in La continues to support Latino and Ibero-American films with Guadalajara Construye in Los Angeles 2 and DocuLab.2 Los Angeles by selecting six projects from filmmakers seeking post-production funds. The films will be screened for jury members, sponsors and film industry professionals. The winners will be announced on Friday August 28.
In addition, the winning projects in each competition will automatically qualify to be considered for Guadalajara Construye 10 or DocuLab.8 Guadalajara, or for the Ibero-American Competitions of the next edition of the Guadalajara International Film Festival (FICG31) – March 4 - 13, 2016.
To reaffirm the social mission of Ficg and the University of Guadalajara Foundation in USA, Ficg in La will donate again all of its proceeds to a charitable cause. We will announce soon the recipient of this year’s fundraising effort.
13 Feature and documentary films and 12 short films will be showcased in this year’s festival
Opening Night Gala – August 28, 2015
"Messi" Dir. Álex de la Iglesia (Spain, 2014, L.A. Premiere)
Closing Night Gala – August 30, 2015
"Ciudad Delirio," Dir. Chus Gutiérrez (Colombia, 2014, 100 min., L.A. Premiere)
Special Events:
• Kids Gala: "El Jeremías" (Jeremy) Dir. Anwar Safa (Mexico, 2015, Us Premiere)
• Maguey (Lgbt) Gala: "Made in Bangkok" Dir. Flavio Florencio (México – Alemania, 2015, Us Premiere)
• Art, Health & Healing Special Screening: "Juanicas"
Dir. Karina García Casanova (Mexico – Canada, 2015, Us Premiere)
and "La Teta de Botero," Dir. Humberto Busto, Mexico (short film)
• Human Rights Special Screening: "La Prenda" (The Pawn)
Dir. Jean-Cosme Delaloye (Guatemala – Suiza, 2014, Sneak Preview) in Association with the Mill Valley Film Festival.
• Free Screening: "La Once" (Tea Time) –Dir. Maite Alberti (Chile, 2014)
Other Feature Films
"El Patrón, Radiografía de un Crimen" (The Boss, Anatomy Of A Crime)
Dir. Sebastián Schindel (Argentina, 2014, L.A. Premiere)
HBO Latino presents – Heroes Cotidianos – “El cometa”
Dir. Alejandra Sánchez (Mexico, 2014, Sneak Preview)
"Ixcanul" Dir. Jayro Bustamante (Guatemala - France, 2015, Sneak Preview)
"Loreak" (Flowers) Dir. Jon Garaño, José Mari Goenaga (Spain, 2014, L.A. Premiere)
"Pocha" (Manifest Destiny) Dir. Michael Dwyer (USA – Mexico, 2015)
"Que Viva la Música" (Liveforever)
Dir. Carlos Moreno (Colombia -Mexico, 2015, L.A Premiere)
Short Films
Mexican Animated Shorts Showcase & Panel (in chronological order)
"Como preparar un sandwich" (How to Prepare a Sandwich) Dir. Rigo Mora
"Hasta Los Huesos" (Down to the Bones) Dir. René Castillo
"Jacinta" Dir. Karla Castañeda
"Jaulas" (Cages) Dir. Juan José Medina
"Prita Noire" (Black Doll) Dir. Sofía Carrillo
"La Casa Triste" (The Sad House) Dir. Sofia Carrillo
"La Noria" ( The Waterwheel) Dir. Karla Castaneda
"Lluvia en los Ojos" (Rain in the Eyes) Dir. Rita Basulto
"Zimbo" (Zimbo) Dir. Rita Basulto & Juan Jose Medina
Shorts Before Features
"Ella" (Her) Dir. Ximena Urrutia (Mexico, 2014, 23 min)
"Mestizo," Dir. Talon Gonzalez (USA, 2014, 10 min.)
"La Teta de Botero," Dir. Humberto Busto (Mexico, 2015, 18 min., Us Premiere)
The screening of the selected work-in-progress films will be for industry accredited to the festival. These screenings are not open to the general public or member of the press.
Guadalajara Construye in Los Angeles 2
• "Angelica," Dir. Marisol Gómez-Mouakad, Puerto Rico/USA
• "Dementia" (Demencia), Dir. Jose Luís Valenzuela, Mexico/USA
• "Lupe under the Sun" (Lupe bajo el sol), Dir. Rodrigo Reyes, Mexico/USA
DocuLab.2 Los Angeles
• "No Dresscode Required" (Etiqueta no rigurosa), Dir. Cristina Herrera Borquez, Mexico/USA
• "Looking at the Stars" (Ol" ando pras estrelas), Dir. Alexandre Peralta, Nicaragua/Brazil/USA
• "Omar & Gloria" (Omar y Gloria), Dir. Jimmy Cohen, Mexico/Canada
Ficg in La is presented by the University of Guadalajara Foundation in USA and Conaculta, with Principal Sponsors the University of Guadalajara, the Guadalajara International Film Festival, the Institute of Cinema Mexico (Imcine), Univision and La Opinion.
- 8/13/2015
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
Dramas from Jayro Bustamante and Gabriel Ripstein take top prizes in Mexico.
Fresh from its won at the Berlinale last month, Ixcanul (Ixcanul Volcano), the feature debut of Guatemalan writer-director Jayro Bustamente, won best Ibero-American picture and best director at the 30th Guadalajara International Film Festival on Saturday (March 14).
The docu-drama, which won the Alfred Bauer Prize in Berlin, features mainly non-actors and centes on the poor residents who live on the slopes of an active volcano in Guatemala
Gabriel Ripstein’s arms trafficking drama 600 Miles, starring Tim as an Atf agent who is kidnapped by a Mexican gun runner, won best Mexican film in Guadalajara. It also picked up a prize at Berlin in February, winning best first feature for Ripstein.
Mexican debutant Celso Garcia’s drama-comedy road movie The Yellow Thin Line (La delgada linea amarilla) won the special jury prize, screenplay and audience awards). The film was executive produced by Guillermo del Toro.
Competing...
Fresh from its won at the Berlinale last month, Ixcanul (Ixcanul Volcano), the feature debut of Guatemalan writer-director Jayro Bustamente, won best Ibero-American picture and best director at the 30th Guadalajara International Film Festival on Saturday (March 14).
The docu-drama, which won the Alfred Bauer Prize in Berlin, features mainly non-actors and centes on the poor residents who live on the slopes of an active volcano in Guatemala
Gabriel Ripstein’s arms trafficking drama 600 Miles, starring Tim as an Atf agent who is kidnapped by a Mexican gun runner, won best Mexican film in Guadalajara. It also picked up a prize at Berlin in February, winning best first feature for Ripstein.
Mexican debutant Celso Garcia’s drama-comedy road movie The Yellow Thin Line (La delgada linea amarilla) won the special jury prize, screenplay and audience awards). The film was executive produced by Guillermo del Toro.
Competing...
- 3/16/2015
- by alexisgrivas@yahoo.com (Alexis Grivas)
- ScreenDaily
Pioneering woman director Lois Weber socially conscious drama 'Shoes' among Library of Congress' Packard Theater movies (photo: Mary MacLaren in 'Shoes') In February 2015, National Film Registry titles will be showcased at the Library of Congress' Packard Campus Theater – aka the Packard Campus for Audio Visual Conservation – in Culpeper, Virginia. These range from pioneering woman director Lois Weber's socially conscious 1916 drama Shoes to Robert Zemeckis' 1985 blockbuster Back to the Future. Another Packard Theater highlight next month is Sam Peckinpah's ultra-violent Western The Wild Bunch (1969), starring William Holden and Ernest Borgnine. Also, Howard Hawks' "anti-High Noon" Western Rio Bravo (1959), toplining John Wayne and Dean Martin. And George Cukor's costly remake of A Star Is Born (1954), featuring Academy Award nominees Judy Garland and James Mason in the old Janet Gaynor and Fredric March roles. There's more: Jeff Bridges delivers a colorful performance in...
- 1/24/2015
- by Andre Soares
- Alt Film Guide
They didn’t make our final Top 100 cut, but here is a list of foreign film titles that are on our radar for 2015. We being with…
200. Remember – Dir. Atom Egoyan
199. Suffragette – Dir. Sarah Gavron
198. Kills on Wheels – Dir. Attila Till
197. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: The Green Legend – Dir. Yuen Woo-ping
196. The Go-Between – Dir. Pete Travis
195. Peur de Rien Dir. Danielle Arbid
194. Regular Boy – Dir. Michele Civetta
193. Flaskepost – Dir. Nikolaj Arcel
192. The Lady in the Van – Dir. Nicolas Hytner
191. Zoom – Dir. Pedro Morelli
190. Away from the Sea – Dir. Imanol Uribe
189. Tulip Fever – Dir. Justin Chadwick
188. Ulrike’s Brain – Dir. Bruce La Bruce
187. Tsunami – Dir. Jacques Deschamps
186. And Your Sister? – Dir. Marion Vernoux
185. There Was Las Vegas – Dir. Alexandre Castas
184. Prejudice – Dir. Antoine Cuypers
183. Stepne – Dir. Maryna Vroda
182. Irreplaceable – Dir. Olivier Masset-Depasse
181. Histoire de Judas Iscariot – Dir. Rabah Ameur-Zaimeche
180. The First, the Last – Dir. Bouli Lanners
179. Selection Officielle – Dir. Jacques Richard
178. Desierto – Dir.
200. Remember – Dir. Atom Egoyan
199. Suffragette – Dir. Sarah Gavron
198. Kills on Wheels – Dir. Attila Till
197. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: The Green Legend – Dir. Yuen Woo-ping
196. The Go-Between – Dir. Pete Travis
195. Peur de Rien Dir. Danielle Arbid
194. Regular Boy – Dir. Michele Civetta
193. Flaskepost – Dir. Nikolaj Arcel
192. The Lady in the Van – Dir. Nicolas Hytner
191. Zoom – Dir. Pedro Morelli
190. Away from the Sea – Dir. Imanol Uribe
189. Tulip Fever – Dir. Justin Chadwick
188. Ulrike’s Brain – Dir. Bruce La Bruce
187. Tsunami – Dir. Jacques Deschamps
186. And Your Sister? – Dir. Marion Vernoux
185. There Was Las Vegas – Dir. Alexandre Castas
184. Prejudice – Dir. Antoine Cuypers
183. Stepne – Dir. Maryna Vroda
182. Irreplaceable – Dir. Olivier Masset-Depasse
181. Histoire de Judas Iscariot – Dir. Rabah Ameur-Zaimeche
180. The First, the Last – Dir. Bouli Lanners
179. Selection Officielle – Dir. Jacques Richard
178. Desierto – Dir.
- 1/5/2015
- by Nicholas Bell
- IONCINEMA.com
Exclusive: Germany-set drama and TV mini-series in works.
Like Water Like Chocolate director Alfonso Arau is in development with Bagdad Café writer Chris Doherty on 1930’s-set drama The Crime of Love, about an illicit love affair between two German officers in Nazi Germany.
Carsten Lorenz is on board to produce the project, which is being exced by Mark Holdon with Arri Worldwide in talks to handle sales.
“I was looking for a great love story,” Arau told Screen. “Germany in the 1930s was such an interesting and intense period in history that I knew I wanted to set this love story at that time.”
“This project, like the greatest romance of all, Romeo and Juliet, is about real love in a world where such love is prohibited.”
Arau’s hit romance-drama Like Water for Chocolate was nominated for a BAFTA in 1994.
Latest directorial effort L’imbroglio nel lenzuolo (2010) starred Maria Grazia Cucinotta and Geraldine Chaplin.
Arau and exec...
Like Water Like Chocolate director Alfonso Arau is in development with Bagdad Café writer Chris Doherty on 1930’s-set drama The Crime of Love, about an illicit love affair between two German officers in Nazi Germany.
Carsten Lorenz is on board to produce the project, which is being exced by Mark Holdon with Arri Worldwide in talks to handle sales.
“I was looking for a great love story,” Arau told Screen. “Germany in the 1930s was such an interesting and intense period in history that I knew I wanted to set this love story at that time.”
“This project, like the greatest romance of all, Romeo and Juliet, is about real love in a world where such love is prohibited.”
Arau’s hit romance-drama Like Water for Chocolate was nominated for a BAFTA in 1994.
Latest directorial effort L’imbroglio nel lenzuolo (2010) starred Maria Grazia Cucinotta and Geraldine Chaplin.
Arau and exec...
- 11/9/2014
- by andreas.wiseman@screendaily.com (Andreas Wiseman)
- ScreenDaily
The closing/awards ceremony of Feratum 2014 took place on Saturday, October 4 at the Cenobio Paniagua theater. Both Juan Mora Catlett and Alfonso Arau were honored during the event, before one member of the jury took the stage to announce the award winning films. There were much more award categories than last year, including such strange additions as "Slasher Award" and "Feratum Creature." The Chilean zombie flick Videoclub took home the night's most important award, the bronze Nosferatum, for being the best international film according to the respective jury. Another Chilean effort, Perfidy, was honored as best horror film, while Bradley King's Time Lapse won the best science fiction film award. The Mexican competition was widely dominated by two feature length films (Paciente 27 and Zona...
[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...
[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...
- 10/5/2014
- Screen Anarchy
The Mexican Newer Wave
By Raymond Benson
At the turn of the Millennium, several film directors from Mexico were gaining attention and acclaim—guys like Alfonso Arau, Alejandro Gonzales Iñárritu, Guillermo del Toro, and this year’s Oscar-winner as Best Director, Alfonso Cuarón (for Gravity). Cuarón’s career trajectory has been, for me, the most interesting of the bunch. He broke into the international scene with the 2001 coming-of-age drama, Y Tu Mamá También, and followed that with, of all things, the megahit Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, which, I argue, is the best of all eight Harry Potter movies. The terrific dystopian thriller Children of Men followed that, and then came Gravity.
Other than the superb handling of each specific film’s material, there isn’t much similarity between these pictures, and yet it’s apparent that Cuarón brings an auteur sensibility to his work. This is most...
By Raymond Benson
At the turn of the Millennium, several film directors from Mexico were gaining attention and acclaim—guys like Alfonso Arau, Alejandro Gonzales Iñárritu, Guillermo del Toro, and this year’s Oscar-winner as Best Director, Alfonso Cuarón (for Gravity). Cuarón’s career trajectory has been, for me, the most interesting of the bunch. He broke into the international scene with the 2001 coming-of-age drama, Y Tu Mamá También, and followed that with, of all things, the megahit Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, which, I argue, is the best of all eight Harry Potter movies. The terrific dystopian thriller Children of Men followed that, and then came Gravity.
Other than the superb handling of each specific film’s material, there isn’t much similarity between these pictures, and yet it’s apparent that Cuarón brings an auteur sensibility to his work. This is most...
- 8/24/2014
- by nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro)
- Cinemaretro.com
Yesterday the Guadalajara International Film Festival in Los Angeles - Ficg in La - presented by the University of Guadalajara Foundation in USA and Conaculta, with Principal Sponsors University of Guadalajara, the Guadalajara International Film Festival, the Institute of Cinema Mexico (Imcine) and Univision, announced its lineup. "The Hours with You" (Las Horas Contigo) directed by Catalina Aguilar Mastretta, will be the Opening Night film for the 2014 Festival. The film stars Cassandra Ciangherotti, María Rojo, Isela Vega, Arcelia Ramírez and Julio Bracho.
The 2014 Ficg in La, which returns to the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood for its fourth year and runs from Thursday, September 4 to Sunday, September 7, brings the best of contemporary Mexican and Latin American cinema to Los Angeles, and is an extension of the Guadalajara International Film Festival.
Featuring outstanding and award-winning titles from FICG29, which ran from March 21-29, 2014 in Guadalajara, Ficg in La will offer the premiere of other titles that have emerged in the world of cinema throughout the year to great critical acclaim.
The aim of the festival is to increase access and visibility of Mexican and Latin American cinema in the U.S., facilitating the exchange of ideas through stories and issues of cultural and social relevance, create a space for collaboration between filmmakers, and strengthen relations between the film industry in Mexico and the U.S.
Ficg in La includes film screenings followed by Q&As with filmmakers and talent, as well as galas and special award recognitions to Latin American and U.S. Latino artists.
“This year, we are truly proud to bring two artistic programs to Ficg in La that supports emerging independent filmmakers, in effect, fulfilling part of our mission to nourish and sustain emerging talent across international film industries. Many of the films in this year's showcase reveal the cross-cultural collaborations currently taking place between film industries in Latin America, the Us, and Canada. These collaborations have resulted in the creation of groundbreaking, authentic, multicultural stories that move seamlessly across national and cultural boundaries." said Hebe Tabachnik, Director and Producer of Ficg in La.
“We are constantly finding ways for Ibero-American filmmakers to promote their films and share their experiences with moviemakers from all over the world. Now that we have reached our fourth year, we realized that we have become one of the leading platforms for Latino cinematography to enter the United States market,” said Iván Trujillo, Festival Director of Ficg.
Among the celebrities that have accompanied us in previous editions are: Carlos Cuarón, Edward James Olmos, Sergio Arau, Diana Bracho, Alfonso Arau, Kate del Castillo, Martha Higareda, Beto Cuevas, Irene Azuela, Dulce Maria, Carmen Salinas and Jay Hernandez.
Oscar nominee Demian Bichir , Nalip (The National Association of Latino Independent Producers), Ruben Luengas (journalist) and Gabriela Teissier (anchor woman) from Univision Radio and TV will receive the festival’s Tree of Life Award for their contributions to Mexican, Latino and Ibero American culture. Previous recipients include Ambulante, Juan Carlos Arciniegas (CNN en Espanol), Fernando Luján (actor), Gabriel Beristain (Director of Photography) and Emilio Kauderer (Music Composer).
Ficg in La continues to support Latino and Ibero-American films with Guadalajara Construye in Los Angeles 1 and DocuLab.1 Los Angeles by selecting six projects from filmmakers seeking post-production funds. The films will be screened for jury members, sponsors and film industry professionals. The winners will be announced on Opening Night.
In addition, the winning projects in each competition will automatically qualify to be considered for Guadalajara Construye 9 or DocuLab.7 Guadalajara, or for the Ibero-American Competitions of the next edition of the Guadalajara International Film Festival (FICG30) – March 6 - 15, 2015.
To reaffirm the social mission of Ficg and the University of Guadalajara Foundation in USA, Ficg in La will donate again all of its proceeds to a charitable cause. We will announce soon the recipient of this year’s fundraising effort.
10 Feature and documentary films and six short films will be showcased in this year’s festival
Opening Night Gala – September 5, 2014
• "The Hours with You" (Las Horas Contigo), Dir. Catalina Aguilar Mastretta, Mexico. Us Premiere
Closing Night Gala – September 7, 2014
• "One for the Road" (En el Ultimo Trago), Dir. Jack Zagha Kababie, Mexico. Us Premiere
Feature Films
• "Echo of the Mountain" (Eco de la Montaña), Dir. Nicolás Echevarría, Mexico. Us Premiere (documentary)
• "Grazing the Sky" (A Ras del Cielo), Dir. Horacio Alcala, Spain/ Mexico/ Portugal. L.A. Premiere (documentary)
• "Ignasi M.," Dir. Ventura Pons, Spain. L.A. Premiere (documentary)
• "Los Ángeles," Dir. Damian John Harper USA/Mexico.
• "The Mute" (El Mudo), Dir. Daniel Vega Vidal & Diego Vega Vidal, Peru. L.A. Premiere
• "Natural Sciences" (Ciencias naturales), Dir. Matías Lucchesi, Argentina.
• "Paraíso," Dir. Mariana Chenillo. Mexico. L.A Premiere
• "A Wolf at the Door" (O Lobo atras da Porta), Dir. Fernando Coimbra, Brazil. L.A. Premiere
Short Films
• "Diego," Dir. Sara Seligman, Mexico/Germany. (live action Drama)
• "A Family Day" (Un día en Familia), Dir. Pedro Zulu González, Mexico. (animation)
• "Minerita," Dir. Raúl de la Fuente, Spain (documentary)
• "Pickman's Model" (El modelo de Pickman), Dir. Pablo Ángeles Zuman, Mexico. Us Premiere (animation)
• "The Queen" (La Reina), Dir. Manuel Abramovich, Argentina (documentary)
• "Yearbook," Dir. Bernardo Britto, USA. (animation)
The screening of the selected work-in-progress films will be for industry accredited to the festival. These screenings are not open to the general public or member of the press.
Guadalajara Construye in Los Angeles 1
• "Blue Lips," Dir. Daniela De Carlo, Julieta Lima, Gustavo Lipsztein, Antonello Novellino, Nacho Ruipérez and Nobu Shima USA/Argentina/ Brazil/ Spain
• "Whisper of the Forest" (Gritos del Bosque), Dir. Jorge Olguín, Chile/USA
• Pocha, Dir. Michael Dwyer, Mexico/USA
DocuLab.1 Los Angeles
• "Gaucho del Norte," Dir. Andres Caballero, Sofia Khan Argentina/USA
• "Hotel de Paso," Dir. Paulina Sánchez Mexico/USA
• "Juanicas," Dir. Karina Garcia Casanova, Mexico/Canada
Ficg in La is presented by the University of Guadalajara Foundation in the United States and Conaculta, and Principal Sponsors, the University of Guadalajara, the Guadalajara International Film Festival, the Institute of Cinema Mexico (Imcine) and Univision, and Supporting Sponsors Cultura Udg, University of Guadalajara Foundation in Los Angeles, LeaLa, Channel 31.2 and the Consulate General of Mexico in Los Angeles.
About Ficg
The Guadalajara International Film Festival was founded by Guillermo del Toro and other Mexican filmmakers in 1986, and will celebrate its 30th edition March 6-15, 2015.
Ficg is the lead film festival in Latin America. It is a forum for the training, education, and creative exchange among industry professionals, film critics, and film students from all over Ibero-America.
About the University of Guadalajara – Mexico
The University of Guadalajara is a member of the University Network in the State of Jalisco, and it is the second oldest university in Mexico. The University of Guadalajara is committed to the betterment of society through higher education. It supports scientific and technological research that makes important contributions to a sustainable and inclusive society, respecting cultural diversity and honoring the principles of social justice, democracy, coexistence, and prosperity for all. The University is renowned in Mexico and abroad as a leader in the transformation of society through innovative means of social development and dissemination of knowledge.
About the Foundation of the University of Guadalajara in the U.S.
The University of Guadalajara Foundation in the United States of America (Udg Foundation-usa) is an extension of Fundación Universidad de Guadalajara, A.C., and is made up of a number of prominent academic and social leaders. The Foundation works to attain private support from individuals, foundations and corporations in order to fulfill the mission and vision of the University of Guadalajara in Los Angeles.
U.S. Udg Foundation seeks to improve the quality of life and social integration of migrants and Hispanic nationals by increasing their access to education and enhancing their sense of belonging and identification with their environment by developing their skills and capabilities through educational services and relevant social research.
The 2014 Ficg in La, which returns to the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood for its fourth year and runs from Thursday, September 4 to Sunday, September 7, brings the best of contemporary Mexican and Latin American cinema to Los Angeles, and is an extension of the Guadalajara International Film Festival.
Featuring outstanding and award-winning titles from FICG29, which ran from March 21-29, 2014 in Guadalajara, Ficg in La will offer the premiere of other titles that have emerged in the world of cinema throughout the year to great critical acclaim.
The aim of the festival is to increase access and visibility of Mexican and Latin American cinema in the U.S., facilitating the exchange of ideas through stories and issues of cultural and social relevance, create a space for collaboration between filmmakers, and strengthen relations between the film industry in Mexico and the U.S.
Ficg in La includes film screenings followed by Q&As with filmmakers and talent, as well as galas and special award recognitions to Latin American and U.S. Latino artists.
“This year, we are truly proud to bring two artistic programs to Ficg in La that supports emerging independent filmmakers, in effect, fulfilling part of our mission to nourish and sustain emerging talent across international film industries. Many of the films in this year's showcase reveal the cross-cultural collaborations currently taking place between film industries in Latin America, the Us, and Canada. These collaborations have resulted in the creation of groundbreaking, authentic, multicultural stories that move seamlessly across national and cultural boundaries." said Hebe Tabachnik, Director and Producer of Ficg in La.
“We are constantly finding ways for Ibero-American filmmakers to promote their films and share their experiences with moviemakers from all over the world. Now that we have reached our fourth year, we realized that we have become one of the leading platforms for Latino cinematography to enter the United States market,” said Iván Trujillo, Festival Director of Ficg.
Among the celebrities that have accompanied us in previous editions are: Carlos Cuarón, Edward James Olmos, Sergio Arau, Diana Bracho, Alfonso Arau, Kate del Castillo, Martha Higareda, Beto Cuevas, Irene Azuela, Dulce Maria, Carmen Salinas and Jay Hernandez.
Oscar nominee Demian Bichir , Nalip (The National Association of Latino Independent Producers), Ruben Luengas (journalist) and Gabriela Teissier (anchor woman) from Univision Radio and TV will receive the festival’s Tree of Life Award for their contributions to Mexican, Latino and Ibero American culture. Previous recipients include Ambulante, Juan Carlos Arciniegas (CNN en Espanol), Fernando Luján (actor), Gabriel Beristain (Director of Photography) and Emilio Kauderer (Music Composer).
Ficg in La continues to support Latino and Ibero-American films with Guadalajara Construye in Los Angeles 1 and DocuLab.1 Los Angeles by selecting six projects from filmmakers seeking post-production funds. The films will be screened for jury members, sponsors and film industry professionals. The winners will be announced on Opening Night.
In addition, the winning projects in each competition will automatically qualify to be considered for Guadalajara Construye 9 or DocuLab.7 Guadalajara, or for the Ibero-American Competitions of the next edition of the Guadalajara International Film Festival (FICG30) – March 6 - 15, 2015.
To reaffirm the social mission of Ficg and the University of Guadalajara Foundation in USA, Ficg in La will donate again all of its proceeds to a charitable cause. We will announce soon the recipient of this year’s fundraising effort.
10 Feature and documentary films and six short films will be showcased in this year’s festival
Opening Night Gala – September 5, 2014
• "The Hours with You" (Las Horas Contigo), Dir. Catalina Aguilar Mastretta, Mexico. Us Premiere
Closing Night Gala – September 7, 2014
• "One for the Road" (En el Ultimo Trago), Dir. Jack Zagha Kababie, Mexico. Us Premiere
Feature Films
• "Echo of the Mountain" (Eco de la Montaña), Dir. Nicolás Echevarría, Mexico. Us Premiere (documentary)
• "Grazing the Sky" (A Ras del Cielo), Dir. Horacio Alcala, Spain/ Mexico/ Portugal. L.A. Premiere (documentary)
• "Ignasi M.," Dir. Ventura Pons, Spain. L.A. Premiere (documentary)
• "Los Ángeles," Dir. Damian John Harper USA/Mexico.
• "The Mute" (El Mudo), Dir. Daniel Vega Vidal & Diego Vega Vidal, Peru. L.A. Premiere
• "Natural Sciences" (Ciencias naturales), Dir. Matías Lucchesi, Argentina.
• "Paraíso," Dir. Mariana Chenillo. Mexico. L.A Premiere
• "A Wolf at the Door" (O Lobo atras da Porta), Dir. Fernando Coimbra, Brazil. L.A. Premiere
Short Films
• "Diego," Dir. Sara Seligman, Mexico/Germany. (live action Drama)
• "A Family Day" (Un día en Familia), Dir. Pedro Zulu González, Mexico. (animation)
• "Minerita," Dir. Raúl de la Fuente, Spain (documentary)
• "Pickman's Model" (El modelo de Pickman), Dir. Pablo Ángeles Zuman, Mexico. Us Premiere (animation)
• "The Queen" (La Reina), Dir. Manuel Abramovich, Argentina (documentary)
• "Yearbook," Dir. Bernardo Britto, USA. (animation)
The screening of the selected work-in-progress films will be for industry accredited to the festival. These screenings are not open to the general public or member of the press.
Guadalajara Construye in Los Angeles 1
• "Blue Lips," Dir. Daniela De Carlo, Julieta Lima, Gustavo Lipsztein, Antonello Novellino, Nacho Ruipérez and Nobu Shima USA/Argentina/ Brazil/ Spain
• "Whisper of the Forest" (Gritos del Bosque), Dir. Jorge Olguín, Chile/USA
• Pocha, Dir. Michael Dwyer, Mexico/USA
DocuLab.1 Los Angeles
• "Gaucho del Norte," Dir. Andres Caballero, Sofia Khan Argentina/USA
• "Hotel de Paso," Dir. Paulina Sánchez Mexico/USA
• "Juanicas," Dir. Karina Garcia Casanova, Mexico/Canada
Ficg in La is presented by the University of Guadalajara Foundation in the United States and Conaculta, and Principal Sponsors, the University of Guadalajara, the Guadalajara International Film Festival, the Institute of Cinema Mexico (Imcine) and Univision, and Supporting Sponsors Cultura Udg, University of Guadalajara Foundation in Los Angeles, LeaLa, Channel 31.2 and the Consulate General of Mexico in Los Angeles.
About Ficg
The Guadalajara International Film Festival was founded by Guillermo del Toro and other Mexican filmmakers in 1986, and will celebrate its 30th edition March 6-15, 2015.
Ficg is the lead film festival in Latin America. It is a forum for the training, education, and creative exchange among industry professionals, film critics, and film students from all over Ibero-America.
About the University of Guadalajara – Mexico
The University of Guadalajara is a member of the University Network in the State of Jalisco, and it is the second oldest university in Mexico. The University of Guadalajara is committed to the betterment of society through higher education. It supports scientific and technological research that makes important contributions to a sustainable and inclusive society, respecting cultural diversity and honoring the principles of social justice, democracy, coexistence, and prosperity for all. The University is renowned in Mexico and abroad as a leader in the transformation of society through innovative means of social development and dissemination of knowledge.
About the Foundation of the University of Guadalajara in the U.S.
The University of Guadalajara Foundation in the United States of America (Udg Foundation-usa) is an extension of Fundación Universidad de Guadalajara, A.C., and is made up of a number of prominent academic and social leaders. The Foundation works to attain private support from individuals, foundations and corporations in order to fulfill the mission and vision of the University of Guadalajara in Los Angeles.
U.S. Udg Foundation seeks to improve the quality of life and social integration of migrants and Hispanic nationals by increasing their access to education and enhancing their sense of belonging and identification with their environment by developing their skills and capabilities through educational services and relevant social research.
- 8/20/2014
- by Carlos Aguilar
- Sydney's Buzz
Between the 28 April and 5 May, El Mariachi himself Carlos Gallardo will be running a series of one day masterclasses across the UK to “inspire the young filmmakers.” To coincide with these events HeyUGuys had the privilege to speak with the iconic actor and producer. Talking with Gallardo, his voice beats with a passionate rhythm, of someone whose passion for cinema and filmmaking has only matured with age.
When we caught up with him he spoke about discovering his cinematic and creative inspiration, his collaborative relationship with Robert Rodriguez, the challenges faced and conquered, and offered us an insight into what he hopes to share with the aspiring filmmakers attending his masterclasses.
Why a creative career? Was there that one inspirational moment?
It all started when I was six years old in Acapulco, Mexico. We were a couple of kids who were left with a nanny when our parents went out.
When we caught up with him he spoke about discovering his cinematic and creative inspiration, his collaborative relationship with Robert Rodriguez, the challenges faced and conquered, and offered us an insight into what he hopes to share with the aspiring filmmakers attending his masterclasses.
Why a creative career? Was there that one inspirational moment?
It all started when I was six years old in Acapulco, Mexico. We were a couple of kids who were left with a nanny when our parents went out.
- 4/28/2014
- by Paul Risker
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Zero Motivation, a dark comedy about the lives of Israeli female soldiers, was named the top film at the 13th Tribeca Film Festival. Writer/director Tayla Lavie accepted the Founders Award for Best Narrative Feature, as well as the Nora Ephron Prize, which goes to the female filmmaker who best embodies Ephron’s spirit and vision. “In her unique and ambitious first feature, deftly handled such difficult themes as the military, sexism, love, ambition, and friendship,” the jury noted. “This filmmaker also pulled off the awesome feat of managing multiple characters and storylines. In what was definitely the most hilarious...
- 4/25/2014
- by Jeff Labrecque
- EW - Inside Movies
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