 "Photo: Photo Courtesy of Ondamax Films")
Now in its 12th year through austin, Cine Las Americas finds itself with one of the largest selection of films yet. Maybe it’s a reflection of the growth of Latin America’s presence in the film industry, but this year Cine is able to offer Austin cinephiles eight consecutive days of films covering a wide array of topics. Many of the feature films selected this year deal with universal themes — love, breakups, loss, sex — through the refreshing perspective of directors spawning from various, and underrepresented, countries of the region.
Below are my picks for the films during this festival.
‘El Nido Vacio’
(‘The Empty Nest’)
Take “El Nido Vacio” as Argentina’s summer blockbuster, except forget about special effects, robots and Pixar. The poetic film tells the story of Leonardo, a writer in his fifties who, along with his wife Marta, finds himself desperately seeking new meaning in his life once their children leave home to go abroad. Throughout the film, Leonardo struggles with his fascination with a young dentist he finds irresistible while Marta, in an effort to rejuvenate her life, enrolls in night school and finds company in the young students of the university. With light touches of humor throughout the film and even lapses of Leonardo’s fantasies, it is impossible not to remain enticed as it progresses. Daniel Burman, 34 years old and already an award-winning director, presents a beautifully executed film and receives stellar performances from both Cecilia Roth (one of the most renowned female actresses of Latin America) and Oscar Martinez. “El Nido Vacío” is the perfect film to end the weekend with.
El Nido Vacio
Sunday, 8 p.m.
Regal Metropolitan
‘Cinco dias sin Nora’
In this heartbreaking and comedic drama, Mexican director Mariana Chenillo brings to us in her first feature film the story of a family reunited for Passover by a difficult situation.
Nora, who has battled with suicidal tendencies through out her life, commits suicide one day before everyone is set to arrive. As people begin to show up and complications with her funeral arise, Nora’s ex-husband Jose begins to uncover peculiar details about her life and strange coincidences surrounding her untimely demise. More importantly, in reminiscing about his failed relationship with Nora, Jose is able to leave behind grudges that had been the source of resentment toward his now dead wife for more than 20 years.
In all, “Cinco dias sin Nora” is a touching film about love, regret and forgiveness. A glimpse into a Jewish community in Mexico, the film is co-sponsored by the Austin Jewish Film Festival. Chenillo will be attending the festival for a Q&A session after the film’s screening.
Cinco dias sin Nora
Saturday, 8 p.m.
Regal Metropolitan
‘Gasolina’
This film from the young Guatemalan director Julio Hernández Cordón could do us all a favor and get rid of, once and for all, the quick association of Latin America with Daddy Yankee’s overplayed disaster of a song. Set in Guatemala City, “Gasolina” follows three close friends whose lives inside a gated suburban community revolve around stealing gasoline from their neighbors’ cars and finding amusement in provoking their superiors. Shot mostly at night, the film is quiet and distant as it tries not to intrude in the adolescents’ devilry and joyrides around town. But in a shockingly abrupt turn of events, the validity and nonchalance of their actions are tested. The film offers an insightful and sincere portrayal of the Guatemalan middle-class youth culture and slang that is rarely, if ever, seen on the big screen in the United States.
Gasolina
Friday, 10 p.m.
Regal Metropolitan
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