Labia on Orange is staging the first edition of the Latino Film Festival to hit our screens. Festival Cine Latino will screen 7 critically acclaimed Spanish-language films over 7 days. It’s all a collaboration of the Embassies of Argentina, Ecuador, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Spain and Uruguay.
There’ll be a variety of genres to suit all tastes from Friday, 8 to Thursday 14 September. Films are in Spanish with English subtitles.
7 Embassies, 7 films
Embassy of Spain – SHEEP DO NOT MISS THE TRAIN. Las Ovejas no Pierden el Tren 2015, 99 mins
A comedy directed by Alvaro Fernandez Armero. Luisa and Alberto live in the countryside, but the idyllic rural life begins to show a less friendly face. Luisa is obsessed with having a second child, even if it means having the most apathetic sex imaginable. Alberto’s brother, a 45 year old low-time journalist is dating Natalia, a 25 year young enthusiast. And Luisa’s sister, Sara, meets Paco, a sports’ journalist who she hopes will lead her to the altar.
Embassy of Mexico – SPIELBERG GENERATION. Generacion Spielberg 2014, 110 mins
A drama written/directed by Gibran Bazan. Five intertwined stories. Two lovers spend 24 hours under the sheets, emulating Yoko Ono and John Lennon. A wealthy girl is trapped in an elevator with a messenger and an accountant, and falls for the latter. Writers get drunk in a van and reminisce about the 80s. A psychoanalyst attempts suicide in the bathroom, and an executive and mother hide in her closet to heal her broken heart with wine. All are related and communicate on their cellphones.
Embassy of Uruguay – THE POPE’S TOILET. El bano del Papa 2007, 93 mins
A multi-award winning comedy drama directed by Cesar Charlone and Enrique Fernandez. Official Selection for the Best Foreign Language Oscar. “An offbeat charmer,humorous, well-crafted tale with plenty of heart and a poignant message” about a small Uruguayan village near the Brazilian border preparing for the Pope’s 1988 visit. A contraband smuggler builds a public toilet in the hope that he can benefit financially from the thousands who are expected to pass through his village.
Embassy of Argentina – PAPERS IN THE WIND. Papeles en el Viento 2015, 98 mins
Based on the novel by Eduardo Sacheri, a feel-good comedy drama directed by Juan Taratuto. Winner of the Sur Award for Best Original Music by Ivan Wyszogrod. Trying to raise money in an ignoble world, three friends united in grief over the loss of a friend, and by their love for soccer, navigate their way through the murky waters of professional soccer, in the hope that they can recover the deceased’s investment in a once promising footballer.
Embassy of Panama – CHANCE, Chance 2010, 91 mins
A delicious morality tale directed by Abner Benaim.This hilarious comedy hit tells the story of two longsuffering housekeepers to an aristocratic family who seize an opportunity to take over the mansion.
They unwittingly stumble upon a family secret in this beguiling, no-holds-barred farce.
Embassy of Peru – COLISEUM, THE CHAMPIONS. Coliseo Los Campeones 2012, 93 mins
A dance drama directed by Alejandro Rossi Velasco. The Coliseum faces closure. Marcial hopes to save the situation by forming, and infusing a traditional group of dancers with his modern flare.
He enters the national dance pageant with the aim of winning the top prize. But the group’s biggest rivals are Marcial’s old troupe, the defending three-time champions.
Embassy of Ecuador – THE DIRTY GAME. El Juego Sucio 2016, 60 mins
A docu-drama directed by Nitsy Grau. The life of American journalist David Flag changes when he embarks on a trip to Ecuador to cover what could be the most important story of his career. Sent to the beautiful South American country by his mysterious boss and colleague Peter Beck, he seeks to find the truth in the Chevron matter. The characters and situations are fictitious, the information recorded on the arbitration between Chevron and Ecuador is real.
What: Latino Film Festival – arthouse movies
Where: Labia Theatre, Gardens, Cape Town
When: Friday, 8 – Thursday 14 September, 2017
Tickets: R35
Book: (021) 424 5927
Web: www.thelabia.co.za
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