December  22, 2008

14th Hispanic Film Festival increases awareness

Something to look forward to when the holidays are over: the 14th Annual Hispanic Film Festival on four consecutive Thursdays Jan. 15-Feb. 5.

The four movies featured this year are a gift to the Augustana community and the Quad-Cities, too, said Dr. Jeanneth Vasquez, the organizer.

"These films would not be otherwise viewed in the Quad-Cities," she said. "There is a rich film industry in Spain and the Latin American countries. We take great pleasure in introducing their masterpieces to the Augustana and community."

She said the festival films will challenge students -- most of whom have only seen American movies -- with political, social and economic issues that may be new to them.

"Our goal, aside from chance for students to get first-hand knowledge of the Hispanic culture, is to increase the community awareness and appreciation of Hispanic culture and art. These films give a very good picture of Hispanic life."

Vasquez said that although the festival is mainly intended to benefit students, it has many fans in the community. They start calling ahead of time to find out what films are coming, she added.

The films are in Spanish with English subtitles. Admission is free. Films will be shown in the Science Building auditorium at 7 p.m.

The films are:

January 15: La mujer de mi hermano (My Brother's Wife) 

A young woman grows restless after a decade of marriage in this sensual drama from Ricardo de Montreuil. Zoe's boredom causes her to pursue a romantic affair with her brother-in-law, a development that causes both adulterers to experience a charged sense of excitement. But their escapism is short-lived, as Zoe's husband discovers what's been going on behind his back. Based on the novel by Jaime Bayly.

Director: Ricardo de Montreuil, Mexico, 89 min. (Rated R for sexuality and language.)

January 22: Crónica de una fuga (Chronicle of an escape)

What happened in Argentina in late 1970s is a matter of great shame. It was a time of universal sorrow as many ordinary Argentinians were persecuted and killed by a roguish military regime which had absolute power. Argentinian director Adrian Caetano depicts some of these unimaginable sufferings in his award-winning film. He has based his film on four important protagonists who are imprisoned at a secret location on baseless charges.

Director: Adrián Caetano, Argentina, 103 min. (Rated R for brutality and torture, nudity and language)

January 29: Princesas

An Official Selection at Sundance 2006. Spanish filmmaker Fernando Leon de Aranoa (Los Lunes al Sol) wrote and directed this affecting film about two young prostitutes (played by Candela Pena and Micaela Nevarez) competing for customers on the streets of Madrid. Hit with hard times and sharing similar hopes for a better life, the two become inseparable confidantes. Followers of Almodovar will enjoy the film's feisty spirit.

Director: Fernando León de Aranoa, España, 109 min. (Rated R for strong adult themes and situations.)

February 5: Mar adentro (The Sea Inside)

Winner of the Best Foreign Language Film at the 2004 Academy Awards. Javier Bardem delivers a complex and deeply moving performance in this true story of a Spanish fisherman and poet who suffers a diving accident at the age of 26 and is left paralyzed and bedridden. Director Alejandro Amenabar picks up with Ramon at the age of 54, as his mounting frustration and weariness at his constrained life causes him to pursue euthanasia. The film "promotes dignity, love, and inspiration."

Director: Alejandro Aménabar, España, 125 min. (PG13)