Even during a global financial crisis, Latin America's film industry is expected to prosper, according to the policy journal Americas Quarterly. More and more filmmakers are realizing the potential of shooting in Latin America for its tempting tax incentives and generally lower production costs. Latin American filmmakers also see an opportunity to lure foreign investors to help boost local films.The growing buzz can only help bring these films to wider audiences.
The Cine Las Americas International Film Festival in Austin, Texas has been introducing audiences to Latin American films for years, and the recently completed 2009 festival featured Chile as its guest country. The festival screened nine feature length films from Chile's post-dictatorship era and ten from Chile's neighboring country Argentina.
Here's a glimpse of three must-see South American films featured in one of the United States' leading Latin American film festivals.
El Chacotero Sentimental or The Sentimental Teaser (Chile, 1999)
Directed by Cristián Galaz, Starring Roberto Artiogoitía, Tamara Acosta, Pablo Macaya, Daniel Muñoz, Lorene Prieto and Ximena Rivas
A captivating film based on true stories of callers who shared their personal experiences on-air for a popular Chilean radio show. Three humorous, emotional and heartwarming stories about love, family and marriage are weaved together to create one of Chile's most-watched films.The eccentric but much-loved radio host, Rumpy, guides callers through the emotional ups and downs.
El Chacotero Sentimental has won numerous international awards including the audience award at the Chicago Latino Film Festival, Toulouse Latin America Film Festival, and Viña del Mar.
Unidad 25 or Unit 25 (Argentina, 2008)
Directed by Alejo Hoijman
A powerful documentary inside Latin America's only church-prison. Director Alejo Hoijman's unique documentary style feels more like a feature film since he does away with the traditional interviews seen in most documentaries. He aims at trying to tell a prisoner's personal story only through his actions and conversations with others.
The documentary follows a non-believing prisoner who ends up at Unit 25 at the request of his family members. He goes through a spiritual transition and eventually becomes an Evangelical prisoner.
Taxi Para Tres or A Taxi for Three (Chile, 2001)
Directed by Orlando Lubbert, Starring Alejandro Trejo, Daniel Muñoz, Fernando Gomez, Elsa Poblete, Denitze Lecaros, Cristián Quezada, Ivonne Becerra
When two thieves jump into the backseat of Ulises' taxicab and hold him up, Ulises decides that joining the bad guys may be the only way out of poverty. This black comedy tells the story of how he desperately needs to pay off his old taxicab and falls into the temptation of making easy money.
The plot gets complicated when things don't go the gang's way - the police are after them and the thieves have befriended the taxi driver's family. When Ulises realizes the situation has gone too far and he has put his family in danger, he decides to cut off the relationship with the thieves in a surprising and dramatic way.
Nancy Flores - My freelance work, which ranges from writing articles, producing and editing online video and shooting photos, focuses on Mexican travel, ...
