HMFF, the National traveling festival, showcasing the best of recent Mexican Cinema, arrives in Los Angeles, playing at Hollywood’s historic Ricardo Montalban Theatre May 19th-25th.
For the third year, founder-director Samuel Douek celebrates the rich diversity of Mexican film. He has a lot to choose from, as the Mexican Film Industry is enjoying a renaissance, celebrated in film festivals.
Mexico, a place like the movies! (¡México está de película!) is the theme of the 2011 edition of HMFF, presenting the contrasting multiple faces and the reality of Mexico, from the landscapes and history to the human experience in terms of class, economic status, sexual diversity, age and dreams.
The Opening Night Screening, with its now legendary red carpet filled with Hollywood and Mexican film stars, features the USA Premiere of Álvaro Curiél’s “Acorazado.” Winner of the Morelia Film Festival Audience Award, the witty film shows the odyssey of unemployed Silverio Palacios who leaves Mexico in search of the American Dream. Convinced that it’s nearly impossible to cross the border like everyone else, Silverio impersonates a Cuban refugee and sails to Miami on a handmade raft! To his surprise, instead of reaching Miami, he lands in Cuba but the island is not ready for the witty and crafty Mexican. Starring Silverio Palacios and Laura de la Luz.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Acorazado USA PREMIERE DIR- Alvaro Curiel (MEXICO 2010, 97 MIN, 35MM) CAST: Silverio Palacios, Laura de la Luz. Q & A with talent. Screens 7:30 PM Opening Night Gala and Red Carpet. Convinced that it’s completely inefficient to cross the border to become one of millions of Mexican fugitives, Silverio Palacios transforms his old abandoned taxi into a raft to sail to Miami in search of the American Dream. A passionate speaker of senseless speeches, Silverio prepares the most important one yet, as he’ll try to convince the American Government to receive a political refugee, fleeing from Communism and risking
his life in search of freedom and a better opportunity. A turn of events transforms Alacrán’s dream into a new reality. Silverio improvises a desperate speech in front of a Cuban Government who watches the arrival of the first Mexican fleeing the Capital System to seek refuge in the last socialist country in the continent, as very unlikely.
Friday, May 20, 2011
“Introducing Laura” (Te presento a Laura) LA PREMIERE
DIR- Fez Noriega (MEXICO 2010, 90 MIN, 35mm)
CAST: Martha Higareda, Kuno Becker. Q & A with talent
Laura lives in the largest city in the world, and yet she feels alone. At 23 she knows the exact date she will die – the 30th of April. In an effort to figure out what she wants to do until then, she joins a group of optimists. With their help, she makes a list of things she wants to do. Her first thing on her list is a tall order: to save a life. Starring Kuno Becker (“Goal”), Martha Higareda (“Amar te duele”) and Academy Award nominated Actress Adriana Barraza (“Babel”). Screens Fri May 20 7:00 PM and Sun, May 22, 2:00 PM
“Presumed Guilty” (Presunto Culpable) DIR- Roberto Hernández, Geoffrey Smith (MEXICO 2010, 86MIN, DigiBeta) Winner Los Angeles Film Festival, San Francisco Film Festival, Morelia, Guadalajara, London, Madrid. Screens Fri, May 20 9:30 PM and Mon, May 23, 7:00 PM
In December of 2005 José Antonio Zuñiga Rodríguez was snatched off the street in Mexico City by police, brutally interrogated for a crime he had nothing to do with, and finally sentenced to 20 years in prison for the murder of a man he never met. With unprecedented access to the prison and court systems, lawyers Roberto Hernandez and Layda Negrete capture all the mind- boggling and infuriating elements of Zuñiga’s retrial, as he attempts to prove his innocence in the face of reckless administrators, dishonest investigators and an abominable justice system in which every suspect is presumed guilty.
Saturday, MAY 21, 2011
Tin Tan DIR- Francesco Taboada Frabone (MEXICO 2009, 90 MIN, 35mm)
CAST: Tin Tan Manuel “Loco” Valdez, Gaspar Capulina, Tongolele. Q & A with talent. Screens once Sat, May, 21 2:30 PM .Tin Tin’s inspired improvisational genius revolutionized the Mexican film industry. His talent as an actor, singer, dancer and comedian contributed to the establishment of the Mexican golden age era of cinema. From “El HIjo Desobediente” to “Capitan Mantarraya”, from Juarez to Habana, from Mambo to Rock, Tin Tan’s legacy stands today as one of the biggest icons of Mexican cinema. Francesco Taboada Frabone’s engaging film depicts Tin Tan story told, as never before, by the people who knew him the better.
“Marimbas from Hell” (Las Marimbas del Infierno)
DIR- Julio Cordon (MEXICO, GUATEMALA, FRANCE 2010, 74 min, HD CAM) CAST: Don Alfonso, Blacko Chiquilin. Screens Sat, May, 21 5:00 PM and Wed, May, 25 7:00 PM
Don Alfonso plays marimbas, the traditional Guatemalan instrument. He faces the population’s lack of interest for his instrument, considered like out of date and old fashioned. Blacko is pioneer of the Heavy Metal Guatemalan underground stage. He also is also a doctor in the public hospital but nobody wants to be treated by him because of his long hair and his tattoos. When Don Alfonso and Blacko meet each other and decide to combine their talents and create a brand new project called Marimbas from Hell, they could never have imagined all the reactions they would provoke among the population.
“The Cinema Hold Up” (Asalto al cine) LA PREMIERE/ Winner/Official Selection Sundance Film Festival DIR-Iria Gómez Conchero (MEXICO 2011, 120MIN, 35MM) CAST: Gabino Rodríguez, Juan Pablo de Santiago, Angel Sosa, Paulina Avalos. Q & A with talent. Screens once May, Sat 21 7:00
Asalto al cine tells the tale of four youngsters: Negus, Chale, Sapo and Chata. Friends since childhood, the teenagers come from a block of flats in Mexico’s Guerrero colony and have too much time on their hands. They start toying with the idea of robbing a cinema. Each has a different problem and finds his own reason to go ahead with the heist. The adventure brings them into a head-on clash with their lives and threatens the only thing they have: their friendship
“We are what we are” (Somos los que hay) DIR-Jorge Michel Grau (MEXICO 2010, 90MIN, 35MM) CAST-Francisco Barrerio, Alan Chávez, Paulina Gaitán Winner Quinzaine Des Réalisateurs Cannes 2010. Screens Sat May 21, 10:00 PM
A middle–aged man dies in the street, leaving his widow and three children destitute. The devastated family is confronted not only with his loss but with a terrible challenge – how to survive. For they are cannibals. They have always existed on a diet of human flesh consumed in bloody ritual ceremonies… and the victims have always been provided by the father. Now that he is gone, who will hunt? Who will lead them? How will they sate their horrific hunger? The task falls to the eldest son, Alfredo, a teenage misfit who seems far from ready to accept the challenge… But without human meat the family will die. Shocking, bloody and deeply moving, “WE Are What We Are” is a remarkable reinvention of the horror genre – a visceral and powerfully emotional portrait of a family bound by a terrible secret and driven by monstrous appetites.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
“Introducing Laura” (Te presento a Laura) LA PREMIERE DIR- Fez Noriega (MEXICO 2010, 90 MIN, 35mm) CAST: Martha Higareda, Kuno Becker. Q & A with talent Screens-Sun, May, 22, 2:00 PM (See description above.)
“Without her” (Sin ella) LA PREMIERE DIR- Jorge Colón (MEXICO 2010, 109 min, HDCAM) CAST: Luis Robero Guzmán, Lola Dueñas, Zuria Vega, Paola Nuñez. Q & A with talent Screens Sun, May, 22 4:30 PM and Tue, May, 24 7:00 PM
Jorge Colon’s SIN ELLA shows us how much a family member can guide the values and lives of the others, even when absent. Set in present-day Mexico City, the story follows Gastón (Luis Roberto Guzmán), a successful TV producer who has to learn how to be a good dad for his teenage daughter and younger son after an accident, which challenges the family not only to cope with the pain of the tragedy but also to improve their
lives. With outstanding performances by all cast members and an attractive soundtrack, this drama and its dose of magical realism are bound to make its audience reconsider what family truly means.
“Hell” (Infierno)
USA PREMIERE DIR- Luis Estrada (MEXICO 2010, 133 MIN, 35MM)
CAST: Damián Alcazar, Joaquín Cosio, Ernesto Gómez Cruz May, Q & A with talent. Screens Sun, May, 22, 2:00 PM and Tue, May, 24, 9:30 PM
Estrada’s film won 9 Arieles (The Mexican “Oscar.”)
Benjamin Garcia, Benny, is deported from the United States. Back home and against a bleak picture, Benny gets involved in the narco business, in which he has for the first time in his life, a spectacular rise surrounded by money, women, violence and fun. But very soon he’ll discovers that criminal life does not always keeps his promises. Epic black comedy about the world of Mafia and organized crime, HELL helps us understand what everybody is asking: What is happening in Mexico today?
“Seguir Siendo Café Tacvba” DIR- Ernesto Contreras, José Manuel Cravioto (MEXICO 2010, 80MIN, HDCAM) CAST: Rubén Albarrán, Emmanuel del Real Díaz, José Alfredo Rangel Arroyo, Enrique Rangel Arroyo
Screens once- Sun, May, 22, 10:00 PM
A rock band travels around different latitudes of earth, among planes, trucks, hotels and dressing rooms, we discover the creative process that unites them, the friendship, problems, frustrations and their desire of continue being a rock band, in the year they reach twenty years of being Café Tacvba.
Monday, May 23
“Presumed Guilty” (Presunto Culpable)
DIR- Roberto Hernández, Geoffrey Smith (MEXICO 2010, 86MIN, DigiBeta)
Winner Los Angeles Film Festival, San Francisco Film Festival, Morelia, Guadalajara, London, Madrid. ( See description above.) Screens Mon, May 23, 7:00 PM
“From Childhood” (De la infancia) USA PREMIERE DIR- Carlos Carrera (MEXICO 2010, 120 MIN, HDCAM)CAST: Damián Alcazar, Giovanna Zacarías
Winner Canberra International Film Festival, Warsaw Film Festival. Q & A with talent. Screens once, Mon, May, 23, 9:00 PM
Niebla, a teen gang member, is killed in a shootout with the police, and his ghost returns to the past to help ten-year old Francisco, a victim of constant abuse and beatings from Basilio, his father.
Niebla protects Francisco from his father and accompanies him during his first experience with love. Feeling protected, Francisco will manage to rebel against his father’s oppression.
Tuesday, May 24
“Without her” (Sin ella) LA PREMIERE DIR- Jorge Colón (MEXICO 2010, 109 min, HDCAM) CAST: Luis Robero Guzmán, Lola Dueñas, Zuria Vega, Paola Nuñez. Q & A with talent. Screens Sun, May, 22 11:30 AM and Tue, May, 24 7:00 PM
Jorge Colon’s SIN ELLA shows us how much a family member can guide the values and lives of the others, even when absent. Set in present-day Mexico City, the story follows Gastón (Luis Roberto Guzmán), a successful TV producer who has to learn how to be a good dad for his teenage daughter and younger son after an accident, which challenges the family not only to cope with the pain of the tragedy but also to improve their
lives. With outstanding performances by all cast members and an attractive soundtrack, this drama and its dose of magical realism are bound to make its audience reconsider what family truly means.
“Hell” (Infierno)
USA PREMIERE DIR- Luis Estrada (MEXICO 2010, 133 MIN, 35MM)
CAST: Damián Alcazar, Joaquín Cosio, Ernesto Gómez Cruz. Q & A with talent. (See description above.) Screens Tue, May, 24, 9:30 PM
Following the frustrated invasion of Columbus in New Mexico, Pancho Villa retreats, only to be injured by Mexican troops in the city of Guerrero. As a pretext for the US military to journey into Mexico, a massive campaign is launched to capture Villa dead or alive. Convalescent, Villa takes refuge deep in the mountains while Chicogrande (Damián Alcázar), an anonymous Mexican Revolution hero, is given the task of finding medical assistance while preparing to give up his life in the attempt
Wednesday, May 25
“Marimbas from Hell” (Las Marimbas del Infierno) (See description above.)
DIR- Julio Cordon (MEXICO, GUATEMALA, FRANCE 2010, 74 min, HD CAM) CAST: Don Alfonso, Blacko Chiquilin.Wed, May, 25 7:00 PM
“Chico Grande”
DIR. Felipe Cazals (MEXICO 2010, 100 MIN, 35mm) CAST. Damián Alcazar, Daniel Martínez, Bruno Bichir, Tenoch Huerta. LA PREMIERE Q & A with talent. Screens May,25, 9:00 PM
Following the frustrated invasion of Columbus in New Mexico, Pancho Villa retreats, only to be injured by Mexican troops in the city of Guerrero. As a pretext for the US military to journey into Mexico, a massive campaign is launched to capture Villa dead or alive. Convalescent, Villa takes refuge deep in the mountains while Chicogrande (Damián Alcázar), an anonymous Mexican Revolution hero, is given the task of finding medical assistance while preparing to give up his life in the attempt
Fest director Samuel Douek explains, “I envisioned a much more ambitious program for 2011, beyond just screening great quality films, the festival will join forces with various non-profit organizations and each will receive a significant amount of tickets to fundraise for their specific causes.” He continued: “The Hola Mexico Film Festival will showcase a celebration of Mexican Cinema while making a positive difference in the lives of Mexicans and Latinos in Southern California.”
The nonprofit organizations confirmed to participate to date are: Peace over Violence, Homeboy Industries, Mujeres de la tierra, The Wall Las Memorias Project, Frijoliwood, Anahuak Youth Sports Association William C. Velasquez Institute, The Los Angeles Youth Network), UCLA Latino/a Caucus, Bilingual Foundation of the Arts, Bienestar, and Nosotros.
The HMFF in Loa Angeles runs from May 19th to 25th of 2011 at The Ricardo Montalban Theatre (transformed into the Temple of Mexican Cinema, offering Tequila, beer, and Mexican food). The Ricardo Montalban Theatre, 1615 Vine Street, Los Angeles, CA 90028. The Ricardo Montalban Theatre, opened in 1927 as the Wilkes’ Vine St. legitimate theatre house, was designed by Myron Hunt. It has been a cinema, radio and live venue through the ensuing decades. Remodeled and modernized by Huntington Hartford in 1954, it is currently being restored to it’s 20’s Beaux Art design by the new owners the U.C.L.A. performing arts group “Nosotros”, who bought it in 2000. Founded in 1970 by actor Ricardo Montalban, Nosotros has a mission “to help fulfill the goals of persons of Spanish-speaking origin in the motion picture and television industry”.) The founding board included members Desi Arnaz, Vicki Carr and Anthony Quinn.
Tickets are $9.00 for all screenings and can be purchased online at www.holamexicoff.com and at the theater box office. Pre-booked tickets online: $8.00. Deeply discounted tickets ($5.00) will also be made available at FAMSA stores across Los Angeles. (For nearest location go to
www.famsa-usa.com). Opening Night Pass: $15.00 (pre sale online), $20.00 (at door) – includes After Party (Mexican food, drinks & entertainment).Festival Pass: $80.00 – All access pass to every screening.
Student Pass: $50.00 – All access pass to every screening.(Must provide valid ID). $6.00 & Student Passes ($50.00) available at WACKO,4633 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood.Tickets can also be purchased at the door the night of each screening (CASH ONLY). Go to http://www.holamexicoff.com to watch trailors.
Co-presented by The Mexican Cultural Institute of New York, Inc.
the New York edition of The Hola Mexico Film Festival, 2011 will screen June 2 – June 5 at the Tribeca Cinemas (54 Varick Street New York, New York) this year. Details coming soon at http://www.lavitrina.com/artman/publish/article_783.shtml.