Welcome to the 1st London Latino Film Festival!
Welcome, the 1st London Latino Film Festival brings a selection of vibrant films from Latin America. The festival will screen two Venezuelan films, 'Postales de Leningrado' winner of two festival awards & the film 'Maroa' with the great performance from the young 11 year old Yorlis Dominguez, who highlights this hard-hitting melodrama. We also have the Cuban award winning film 'Havana Blues' and the award winning Argentinean film 'No Mires para Abajo' directed by the prestigious film director Eliseo Subiela.
The festival will be awarding the 'Blue Glass Award' to the best film chosen by the public attending the festival. One of the aims of the London Latino Film Festival is to promote films from Latin America and gain interest from film distributors and television channels in the UK. We also strive to bring awareness of the richness and diversity of the Latin American culture through films to London and other cities in the United Kingdom.
Los esperamos!!!
Sergio Leon, Director
Postales de Leningrado
6.30pm / Running Time: 90 Minutes / English Subtitles
Director: Mariana Rondon
Country: Venezuela
During the leftist uprising in the 1960s in Venezuela, a young guerrilla-girl, living in secrecy, gives birth to her first daughter during Mother's Day. Her pictures appear on the newspaper so they have to run away. Hidden places, false disguises and names are the daily life of THE GIRL, the narrator of the story. Alongside her cousin, they re-live the adventures of their guerrilla parents, building up a labyrinth with super-heroes and strategies, in which nobody knows where the reality (or madness) begins. However, this children's game does not hide the deaths, tortures, denunciations and treason within the guerrillas. They know that their parents might never comeback and therefore, they'll only receive Postcards from Leningrad.
Warning: Film contains a scene of a pigs butchery
La Suerte Esta Echada
8.15pm / Running Time: 97 Minutes / English Subtitles
Director: Sebastian Borensztein
Country: Argentina
Sebastian Borensztein's comedy The Die Is Cast stars Marcelo Mazzarello and Gaston Pauls as half-brothers. As the film opens each of them becomes unemployed. Believing he is the subject of a curse, the theatrical Felipe (Mazzarello) heads to his father's deathbed where he and his half brother decide to grant their father's wish. After dad asks to try cocaine, the men head out attempting to score the goods while overcoming the curse. This comedy examines the luck, fate and affection of two half-brothers, very different and separated during several years, but reunited because of their father, as a result of a very special circumstance.
El Regalo
6.30pm / Running Time: 108 Minutes / English Subtitles
Director: Cristian Galaz / Andrea Ugalde
Country: Chile
This romantic comedy of hilarious entanglements and refreshing characters takes you on an unforgettable voyage. Widower and recent retiree, Francisco (Nelson Villagra) has two best friends, Pacheco and Tito. In an effort to help Francisco through life’s difficult transitions, his friends give him the gift of a trip to the hot springs of Chillan in Chile. To spice things up, they invite Francisco’s high school sweetheart, Lucy. But things don't always turn out as planned and this trip will yield unexpected situations, new friends and surprises that will change their lives forever.
No Mires Para Abajo
8.30pm / Running Time: 85 Minutes / English Subtitles
Director: Eliseo Subiela
Country: Argentina
When his father dies, Eloy abandons the family masonry business to embark on a journey of growth and contemplation in a hostile world. Along the way, he meets Elvira, who initiates him into Tantric practices that open his mind, body and spirit to unexplored realms of reality. Winner of Best Picture at the 2008 Latin American Film Festival, Best Latin American Film at the 2008 Montreal World Film Festival.
La Libreria
1.00pm / Running Time: 15 Minutes / English Subtitles / Short
Director: Hernan Jabes
Country: Venezuela
A man falls in love with a women working at a bookshop and his life will change forever.
Victimas De La Democracia
1.30pm / Running Time: 42 Minutes / English Subtitles / Documentary
Director: Stella Jacobs
Country: Venezuela
One of the first documentaries produced by La Villa del Cine in Venezuela, to preserve the historic memory of those who lost their lives fighting for the Venezuelan people and their Revolution.
Tarjeta Roja
2.30pm / Running Time: 15 Minutes / English Subtitles / Documentary
Director: Rodolfo Muñoz
Country: Ecuador
A documentary that tackles the issues surrounding black football players in Ecuador and the discrimination and racism they suffer. It features Agustín Delgado, one of the country's most famous players, and his reflections on sport, culture and power.
Havana Blues
5.00pm / Running Time: 115 Minutes / English Subtitles
Director: Benito Zambrano
Country: Cuba, España
Two young Cuban musicians, Ruy and Tito share the same dream: to become famous and finally leave Havana. Ruy lives with Caridad and their two children. Although they still love each other, their relationship seems close to an end. Tito is on is own living with his grandmother. While in rehearsal for their first big concert. They learn that two Spanish producers Martha and Lorenzo are in Cuba looking for new talents. Facing what might be the chance of a lifetime, they will have to conquer "the Spanish".
Por La Libre
7.15pm / Running Time: 96 Minutes / English Subtitles
Director: Juan Carlos de Llaca
Country: Mexico
The story begins in a lovely Mexico City home where family members feud and fuss continuously. After the grandfather's sudden death during a heated dinner table outburst with his selfish adult son, Rodrigo, two grandsons kidnap the old man's ashes and head to Acapulco in a "stolen" car so as to dispose of them according to their beloved grandfather's request. Their journey is funny and full of adolescent shenanigans. In Acapulco, a secret is discovered about the grandfather that gives the story a wonderful twist.
Maroa
9.00pm / Running Time: 102 Minutes / English Subtitles
Director: Solveig Hoogesteijn
Country: Venezuela
Eleven-year-old petty criminal Maroa lives with her violent grandmother Brigida in Caracas. After her boyfriend Carlos is involved in a shooting, Maroa is arrested and sent to a school where Joaquin conducts the youth orchestra, and he asks the naturally talented Maroa to join. Days now revolve around the classes that Joaquin, the shy and unconventional teacher, gives her. He is immediately interested in this talented young girl, who lacks all notion of discipline. Joaquin, the only person to offer hope in the midst of her rejection, finds that through Maroa, his world has also changed forever.
Venue & Tickets
Bolivar Hall
56 Grafton Way, London W1T 5DL
Where? See the map...
Nearest tube station: Warren Street
Tickets sold at the door.
Sponsors
View our sponsors here. If you're interested in sponsoring a Latino Film Festival please email sponsor@latinofilmfestival.co.uk
