Latin America is rich with filmmakers. Watch the films of Alejandro Iñarritu: Babel is a brilliant exploration of global interconnection, and Biutiful is, well, beautiful. You've surely seen the works of Robert Rodriguez, whose El Mariachi is a cornerstone in the world of independent cinema. Luis Buñuel will melt your brain with classics like The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie and his collaboration with Salvador Dali, Un Chien Andalou. Guillermo del Toro is much beloved this year for Pacific Rim (overrated...) and Pan's Labyrinth is a stunning visual feast. Alfonso Cuaron made arguably the best Harry Potter movie (Prisoner of Azkaban) and his Children of Men is so beautiful it makes me cry (yeah).
These are all people you have probably heard of, but as with any foreign cinema, there are so many yet for us in America to discover – which is why you should head to the University of Louisville this weekend for the 20th Reel Latin America Film Festival. The festival features eight films from Mexico and South America, to be screened at the Floyd Theater in the Student Activities Center or the Ekstrom Library.
This year's festival includes offerings from Peru (Gods), Argentina (Cigarettes), Costa Rica (The Return), Colombia (The Towrope), and Ecuador (With My Heart in Yambo), to name a few, but most significantly, Guatemalan filmmaker Rodolfo Espinosa will be in attendance for a Q&A following the screening of his film The Russian Girl.
The festival is free and open to the public and takes place October 4 through 19. Complete details can be found at the University of Louisville website.
Image: Internet Movie Database
