Film and foodie notes from Tribeca Festival 2024

The year was 2007. Undeniably the most glorious year of my 20s. I was living on the Upper West Side and working at the Tribeca Film Festival. I often wonder, what could have been, with New York had I stayed. She’s a lot of fun, and I know she likes me. But she is something of a commitment phobe. Oh wait a minute, you didn’t come here for my private journal. You are here to read up on the hottest movie picks and creative kiki’s at this year’s Tribeca Festival. And for my fellow foodies, a round up of my old and new go-to’s in the city.

Iyabo Boyd, Elijah McKinnon, Chandler Phillips and Kitty Hu. BGDM 4 life!

My first day in the city started with me participating in a round table with the Rising Voices filmmaker cohort, a partnership between Indeed and Hillman Grad, about film festival strategy for their just pressed short films encompassing the theme of working in the future. Afterwards, a working girl business lunch at my favorite fancy tribeca joint, Frenchette with Elijah Mckinnon. Elijah is the the supreme leadership of OTV a non profit artist development and distribution platform for queer creatives of color. I am so proud to be a member of the governing board. Hit me up if you want to learn more and get involved. We then went to our party, the Tribeca Block Party for Filmmakers and Industry on Tuesday night which we partnered up with our faves Brown Girls Doc Mafia along with other advocacy and industry peer groups.

The next few days was a screening marathon. As always, I come for the Queer and BIPOC created films to scout talent I want to produce, and films I could potentially curate at other film festivals. But super randomly, I ended up watching Daddio at a Press & Industry screening since I was in between meetings. I figured why not, it stars Sean Penn and Dakota Johnson – and from a female filmmaker, co-creator of “I Am Not Okay”. But fam. What. How does this DUD, this totally bland story set entirely inside a taxi ride, get to have theatrical distribution from Sony Pictures Classics – no less. Who is THIS FOR??? My frustration stems from the fact that there are plenty of entertaining, commercial and compelling non-white centered stories made for very targeted audiences THAT ARE FAR SMARTER DISTRIBUTION BETS than this ‘A list’ basic vehicle. Make it make sense. Hair flip and cue: My top three:

LA COCINA directed by Alonso Ruizpalacios

Que puta joya, as they say in Spanish. Raul Briones SLAYS as an agent of chaos line cook inside a Times Square restaurant who is head over heels with Rooney Mara’s waitress character. Set amid the increasingly disorganized havoc and crumbling hierarchy of front of the house and back of the house, this is Alonso’s fourth feature and nearly topples my previously favorite of his, A Cop Movie – which if you haven’t seen it you must seek out. This film premiered months ago in Berlin so why hasn’t there been a bigger buzz or theatrical distribution announcements? Sure it’s black and white. But so what, this is Roma meets The Bear and you can’t take your eyes off it even at the two hour plus total running time. Hanway Films has been selling off territories outside of North America. It’s ripe for Neon and A24. Not sure if their output deals with Hulu and HBO prevent them from picking up this banger.

I’M YOUR VENUS directed by Kimberly Reed

This is the LONG overdue story of Venus Xtravaganza, the Puerto Rican and Italian ballroom ingenue infamously captured in Paris is Burning. Before the movie came out in 1990, she was found strangled underneath a mattress. The film follows her brothers on the Italian side of the family make amends 30 years later with how they treated her and in collaboration with her house family, the House of Xtravaganza, and mother Gisele Alicea they come together to honor Venus, successfully reopening the investigation and making her childhood home a historical landmark. This is one of Participant’s last movies before shutting down last month. I cried, I snickered, I gasped, I lit up. Venus’s softness and her fierceness is everything. I better hear of this locking up distribution soon.

JAZZY directed by Morrisa Maltz

This is a film about a girl whose best friend moves away. This kind of simplicity is wildly relatable and rendered in such a profound coming of age tale. The visual finesse of the floating camera (echoing a tighter more modern Malick) heightens the ordinary, and the girls are so tender and spunky navigating emotional conflicts for the first time. I think it’s absolutely genius that this film exists in the multiverse of Another Country, Morrisa’s previous film where Auntie Lily Gladstone goes on a road trip. She teams up with her writing and producing collaborator Lainey Bearkiller Shangreaux again on this film which stars Jasmine Bearkiller Shangreaux as the titular Jazzy who took home Best Performance in a U.S. Narrative Feature. Lily and the Duplass brothers are among the producers. I hope this doesn’t take forever to get to the masses.

Special Mention:

RENT FREE directed by Fernando Andrés

Mumblecore version Gen Z bro. Don’t hate. At its best, and this is definitely the case here, this genre taps into 20somethings’ inevitable crossroads with adulting with offbeat humor. Rent Free is about two best friends who go about crashing with different friends in Austin in order to save money to get back to New York. The type of film that feels incredibly effortless because of the lived in acting and natural dialogue, and brought a big smile to my face in the end. This is Fernando’s second feature and I can’t wait to see what he does next

Receipts:

9 out of 125 features in the lineup are written/directed by Latinx and Latin American filmmakers – about 7% of the program. Four of them are U.S. films, meaning the money primarily came from U.S. sources. They are:

They’re Here, a cute and caring film about people who aren’t just UFO enthusiasts but fully and deeply believe they have been abducted. The film is co-directed by Pacho Velez who Lin- Manuel Miranda says was one of the three other Latinos he went to school with. You can tell they did their best not to judge or make fun of these folks. They spent real time with the subjects which creates a safe space for them to speak freely, but ultimately… I do think they be judging….or maybe that’s just me.

Beacon which is written by Julio Rojas and starring Demian Bichir as an obsessed with sirens lighthouse keeper. This played in the Midnight Section but ultimately IMO it missed the mark more than it hit it.

The last two are Rent Free mentioned above and In the Summers by Alessandra Lacorazza Samudio, Sundance’s Grand Jury Award winner which recently announced it picked up distribution from Music Box Films.

Rene Pérez Joglar aka Residente stars in In the Summers.

State of Silence – a really moving documentary about the rampant persecution of journalists in Mexico by Argentine filmmaker Santiago Maza and produced by Abril López Carrillo and exec produced by Diego Luna and Gael García Bernal. The courage and conviction of these reporters to report on what is happening in the face of death threats and knowing the government will not or can not help is an utterly remarkable characteristic of the subjects of the documentary, many of who now rest in power if not have been exiled from their country. Between 2001 and 2023, 162 journalists have been killed in Mexico for doing their job. 99% of them have gone ‘unsolved’.

From Argentina, The Freshly Cut Grass by Celina Murga, a superb and sophisticated tale of two different professors’ played by Marina de Tavira and Joaquín Furriel, and their respective messes of starting affairs with their students. I liked seeing the side by side comparison of an older woman with younger man, and an older man with younger woman play out. In both cases regardless of age, the men are boys. This one took home Best Screenplay at the festival. Martin Scorsese is listed as a producer.

Friendship was a theme in the films I saw at the festival and Don’t You Let Me Go or the original title which I like better, Agarrate Fuerte by Ana Guevara and Leticia Jorge is another tale of how irrevocable that bong between friends are even when they are no longer here. From Uruguay, this film won the Nora Ephron Award for distinctive female voice and it certainly deserves it.

The Dog Thief from Bolivia, a co-production with Chile, Mexico, Ecuador, France, and Italy which I tried to get into emotionally as it seems to have a strong concept in that a boy steals a dog from the man he shines shoes for to get his father figure attention. This one stayed a little too muted for me.

Talent to watch

MVP of the festival belongs to Mexican NY based cinematographer Alejandro Mejia who won for his two films in the festival; In the Summers and The Knife, a tense home invasion story that speaks volumes about the human condition by Nnamdi Asomugha.

And special shout out to these shorts: Salsa! and I Want to Violently Crash into the Windshield of Love

Culinary Cruising

When I wasn’t having a bagel or a slice, I splurged on my favorites; The Odeon, Russ & Daughters and Blue Ribbon Brasserie after 11pm. New spots for me include Grand Banks which is a total vibe at magic hour, Thai Diner – the reincarnation of Uncle Boons, and shout out to my sister who booked a reservation directly with the chef for me and my girls at Frog Club NYC the new, wierd and SOLO spot from Liz Johnson (formerly of LA’s Horses).

I can’t show you any food porn because the doorman had to affix a sticker on our phone cameras. The building is an old prohibition era speakeasy that inside is bathed in soft red light. The nostalgic, LSD laced frog themed decor lends itself to the playful dishes on the menu which were delightfully satisfying. I had a lovely dinner here with superstar Anonymous Content manager Monica Villareal and casting SVP queen of CBS, Claudia Lyon. I recommend the place, even if it is less secretive now that it is on Resy. High Key, get the Dirty Kermit. IYKYK

My biggest takeway this festival is that business is still businessing (see Daddio). Non-white centered voices will stay resisting. The hustle and struggle of making indie film is a long game and requires wild activism on behalf of the makers and audiences to make sure they consummate their intrinsic reason of existence. There is always a pragmatic sounding reason a buyer doesn’t pick up a film but it speaks more about their incompetence, lack of adaptability and unsustainable business model that they can’t figure out how to make deals that aren’t copy and paste.

I’m Your Venus was by far the biggest gift of my festival. It provoked fury and inspired light in me. Venus Xtravaganza is officially my saint of ‘Know Who You Are’. Follow the film’s director Kim Reed, exec producer Jonovia, and House Lives Matter a non profit impact partner of the film.

Rest in power to the original ICON.

The SXSW dispatch you didn’t ask for but need

March 18, 2024March 21, 2024Christine Davila2 Comments

Whoa. It’s been six years since I uploaded new content! Logging back in felt like walking into a dusty ass attic. I’m not ready to refresh and update the site entirely, but I’m feeling inspired after this year’s SXSW so I’m going to drop this new post and see what happens. But real quick, where have I been? I’ve now worked at Warner Bros and then NBC Universal as a TV development executive. But I’ve never strayed too far from my film programming roots. Being part of both the indie film community and traditional TV industry informs my perspective, and I love the convergence of the two.

After all these years, my purpose remains the same; to shine a light on fresh voices, mostly Brown. I still like that tagline but the reality is that I’ve always gravitated towards BIPOC and or Queer voices. I love sparking dialogue around craft and who gets to practice it in a way that honors their perspective.

I’ve been going to SXSW for almost a decade and I continue to be in utter awe of the massive programming and incredible organization across Interactive, Music and Film. Sifting through the handy SXSW app with its 4,325 events, it’s easy to feel intimidated and have FOMO on the ground. As tempting as it is was for me to go see the big splashy headliners, and there were so many hotly anticipated films like Monkey Man, Babes, Immaculate, The Idea of You, and performers like The Black Keys, Peso Pluma etc, my north star always directs me to the world premiere feature films without distribution….and whichever Nicolas Cage movie that’s playing. So here goes my SXSW dispatch; part film/panel highlights, part Ted Talk and a dash of travelogue.

THE CATEGORY IS BROWN EXCELLENCE

As in South Asian. These World Premieres rocked my world. No cap.

Yasmeen’s Element directed by Amman Abassi, written by Amman Abbasi, Jeffrey E. Stern, Sana Jafri

Abassi is a natural filmmaker. As seen in his Sundance debut in 2017 with Dayveon his assuredness with immersing us in someone else’s anxiety and reality is singular. Instead of rural Arkansas, this time we are in the Hunza Valley in Pakistan. This coming of age film about a young girl ardently worried to track down her homework assignment, has far greater meaning and context within this adult world that starts to bleed into hers, and unfolds with a gentle realness that is outstanding

https://www.yasmeenselement.com

CAA is handling

Doin’ It written by Lilly Singh, Sara Zandieh and Neel Patel, directed by Sara Zandieh

You would think it impossible, tonally, for a raunchy sex comedy to also be a family centered story but Doin’ It flips the script on a lot of things, serving tropes upside down with much delight. It’s in the canon of highschool sex comedies like American Pie, sure, but that comparison hardly does it justice and, this is about the teacher trying to get rid of her virginity so she has some reference lol. Lilly plays Maya whose first sexual encounter traumatizes her and the family to go live in India, only to come back as a 30 year old virgin with no frame of reference on how to teach sex education. It’s so lively and sharp. Lilly is a force to reckon with and Sara Zandieh directing her second feature (and who also directs TV) holds and pulls it all together tightly.

WME representing the film.

A Nice Indian Boy, written by Madhuri Shekar and Eric Randall, directed by Roshan Sethi

My whole heart. Adapted from Madhuri Shekar’s play, this film proves that super earnest and corny romantic comedies are what’s needed in this world. Done right that is! The cast is ebullient yet grounded, the writing/directing is on point. Mostly, I’m struck by how the sentimentality has an edge to it, the way it arcs out with Karan Soni’s character who can’t help get in the way of his own happiness. After you see this film you will also want to have a big Indian wedding with loads of family surrounding you and look at your partner and think; “I want for nothing.” Utterly endearing.

@aNiceIndianBoyfilm

We Strangers written and directed by Anu Valia

There is a lot under the hood in Anu Valia’s feature directorial debut, all of which signals Anu’s mastery at conjuring a disconcerting vibe that keeps us on edge and matches how the character of Ray played by Kirby Howell Baptiste might be feeling. Ray works to make ends meet, including cleaning the house of her boss and the neighbor. When she leans into a micro-aggression for her own interest, Ray’s response up until the end and for better or worse, is as measured, elegant and wicked as she can humanely muster. Reminds me of Janicza Bravo’s work. I can’t wait to see everything Anu does in the feature space. She’s already killing it on TV, directing for She-Hulk and the upcoming series Interior: Chinatown.

Ben and Suzanne, A Reunion in 4 Parts, written and directed by Shaun Seneviratne

Also in competition, this directorial feature debut emerged out of a series of short films with the same two actors, Sathya Sridharan and Anastasia Olowin over ten years. A romantic comedy about a couple on vacation, for me this was an engaging look into the emotional whiplash of relationships. I totally related with her conflict, having to balance work and being present for a partner who is there on vacation. Just like in one of thier short films I found online; The Chill of Loneliness , the effort and work to communicate just to be in a relationship long distance vacillates from an easy rapport that gives you a sense as to what attracted them in the first place, to the harder moments that require a lot more effort to communicate and give one another grace and make you think, why in the world are these two together. The film, shot on location throughout Sri Lanka made me feel like I was on the road with them, with the exhilaration and exhaustion colliding on one another.

@benandsuzannemovie

The Queen of My Dreams, written and directed by Fawzia Mirza

I’m a huge fan of Fawzia’s and I am embarrassed to admit I did not catch it’s U.S. premiere at SXSW. The film debuted at last year’s Toronto Film Festival and is being released in Canada this week! I first met this magnetic multi-hypenate through the Chicago set charming af comedy, Signature Move directed by Jennifer Reeder. Actor/Director/Standup – and above all she’s a phenomenal writer not afraid to portray us fumbling in this world.

@babydaalproductions

Wakhri written and directed by Iram Parveen Bilal

Also not technically a world premiere but I have to give flowers to this one that was inspired by Qandeel Baloch, who was killed in July 2016 by her brother because of her social media presence that he said brought disrespect to the family. The film has been released in Pakistan which is remarkable on its own for confronting the very society this honor killing took place. It’s a testament to the pulsating vigor she imbues in this film, about a teacher who finds her voice, clandestinely online. I really appreciated the portryal of the friendship at the center and of course it’s exhilarating soundtrack.

@Wakhri_the_film

LATINX

_{Stephanie Beatriz who has a hilarious supporting role in Doin’ It}

I was happy to attend the second annual La Cena: Austin this year, a curated dinner series designed to create and deepen connections among Latino talent, artists and executives. This dinner was sponsored by MiTu and McDonald’s Spotlight Dorado who awarded three filmmakers last year with $75,000 to make a short film. The winner, Fancy Florez’s Summer Staycation by Marissa Díaz was no surprise to me. Those who know know. Marissa is a fresh, comedic and culturally specific voice I can’t wait to work with. Trust, you’ll be hearing a lot more in the future from this creator.

Actor/comedian Sasha Merci, 3 Arts Entertainment manager Carolina Alduey, writer/director Marissa Díaz and filmmaker Kris Mercado

Actor Max Pelayo (Aristotle & Dante unlock the Secrets of the Universe) with Culture/Impact Strategist and host with most Ruben Garcia — Actor/comedian Sasha Merci, 3 Arts Entertainment manager Carolina Alduey, writer/director Marissa Díaz and filmmaker Kris Mercado

There were 125 feature length films at SXSW and I count 41 BIPOC directors, so 33%. Give or take; four are co-directors and I googled the shit out of every single director to see how they identify to come up with that approximation.

Six were directed by Latinx (Three of those from the Brazilian community). That’s just under 5%. Which is slightly higher than percentage this year’s UCLA Hollywood diversity report found when they audited the top theatrically released films in 2023 (4 out of 109 so 3.6%). And if we rack focus on the number of U.S Latine directors at SXSW it’s half that, 3 films or 2.4%.

Those familiar with my blog from way back when know I don’t count films as Latinx unless it is authored by a Latinx aka writer/director. That said I saw Cold Wallet because I’m a long time fan of Melonie Diaz and Raul Castillo who star in and are both listed as executive producers. I was surprisingly disappointed with this crypto vengeance thriller because the director Cutter Hodierne showed far more tension and prowess with his last short turned feature, Fishing Without Nets.

I went to see Switch Up because it is produced by Elizabeth Avellan, who was once half of Texas’ power couple with Robert Rodriguez, and to this day co-owner of Troublemaker Studios. Iranian-American director Tara Pirnia helmed this well intentioned but totally flat romantic comedy. From the script to the performances, everything felt diluted (Even the usually outrageous Donnell Rawlings who plays a bit role here was muted!). Notably, it only had one screening at the festival, which by and large was attended by locals and family who embraced the film.

Bob Trevino Likes It written and directed by Tracie Laymon

Cinematographer John Rosario — Bob Trevino Likes It cinematographer John Rosario

Bob Trevino Likes It cinematographer John Rosario

This one took home both the Jury Award and the Audience Award, and it’s well deserved. Barbie Ferreira and John Leguizamo are executive producers along with producers Edgar Rosa and Felipe Dieppa. In an amazing first leading role for Barbie, you can see her bravely channel arrested development and vulnerability. One could easily feel sorry for her character, but Barbie’s transformative performance and the fact that its based on a true story balances it out. It’s based on Tracie’s own serendipitous friendship forged online when she was going through a rough patch with her father so the crippling loneliness and alienation rings authentic. It truly earns and packs a punch of catharsis in the end. @BobTrevinoLikesIt

THE SIX

The In Between by Robie Flores

Okay full disclosure I did not see this one at the festival, I watched an earlier cut so I’ll keep it brief. I was really taken with the seamless dreamscape it weaves around a place and memories. Rumination is extremely hard to capture cinematically – it rarely has a place to go but this one does. This one feels tethered, like it is an act of tethering oneself to the ephemeral like memories and loved ones.

Kellen Quinn repping the film

Musicá written by Rudy Mancuso and Dan Lagana, directed by Rudy Mancuso

Another full disclosure; I saw a preview screening of this film so I don’t know what the final cut that screened at SXSW might have been. But I will soon. This is an Amazon Original and will be available on Prime on April 4. Everyone might know Brazilian-American Rudy Mancuso is terribly charismatic. His musical savant like talent elevates him to a whole other level of artistry. This film is a magical extension of that flair for whimsy sharing his fantastical interior.

Available on Amazon Prime April 4, 2024.

Lovebirds, Rudy Mancuso and Camila Mendes

Omni Loop written and directed by Bernardo Britto

Mary Louise Parker and Ayo Edebiri in Omni Loop

Ok last ‘disclosure’ I swear! – I did see Omni Loop at the festival but I had to run to the airport to catch my flight back to LA so I missed the end – a good 15 minutes. While I am dying to know what happens, I will make myself feel better by telling myself it is a loop after all (lol). Without any spoilers, I do feel confident saying Bernardo has this signature; he imbues an existential wonder to his stories, not quite melancholic, maybe haunting but always probing. Mary Louise Parker does a good job of trying to make sense of it all. It’s about the journey for sure, and perhaps the unpredictability of an impending conclusion. There is something ambitious about a metaphor this big, and that’s why I love it. Also any opportunity to throwback to his 2014 animated short film Yearbook. I never not stop talking about this one. WME is repping

Toll written and directed by Carolina Markovicz

Completing the Brazilian trifecta, Toll is one gem of a movie that’s really stayed with me ever since I saw it last year. This world premiered in Toronto last year. Maeve Jinkings plays a misguided single working mom of an openly gay social media micro influencer played with such bitterly reluctant patience by Kauan Alvarenga. There is a sly vindictive quality in the end that is absolutely delicious.

Luxbox repping the film

Bionico’s Bachata written by Cristian Mojica and Yoel Morales, directed by Yoel Morales

This non stop brazen street antics mockumentary bagged the Audience Award in the Global section. The action, actors and music are indeed electric. We follow Bionico who swears he’s clean (as he smokes shit) while preparing for his girlfriend to come out of rehab. It’s all fun and games until it’s not. Whether lewd or unapologetic, idc, my jaw was often on the floor. And that dembow soundtrack es fuego man.

@LaBachatadeBionico

Malta written and directed by Natalia Santa

I really like this up and coming actor Estefanía Piñeres who plays Mariana, a disenchanted young woman with a grounded yet slightly peculiar nature that drew me in and kept me close (like what Kristen Stewart does to me). There’s a low key levity throughout,signalling her limbo of either resisting the pains of family tension or the urge of peacing out and heading to the Mediterranean.

Cinema Tropical is repping the film

@MaltaMovie

SPECIAL SHOUT OUTS

Any Other Way: The Jackie Shane story, directed by Michael Mabbott and Lucah Rosenberg-Lee

Talk about integrity. Talk about a badass. Talk about Jackie Shane. Rest in Power. With gorgeous animated reconstructions of the series of phone calls the filmmakers used to tell her story, we are privy to her heartwarming allure recounting her childhood in Nashville and later rise to fame in the 60’s soul scene in Toronto. She had the courage (and nerve!) to never suffer fools or bullies, and to point out the hypocrisy inherent in the music business. Perform at a nightclub where you don’t even allow Black folks? Nope. Maybe she could have rose to the very top had she compromised, but her legacy found its way back to us anyway and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Executive produced by Pageboy Productions and Nia Long.

@TheJackieShaneStory

We Were Dangerous written by Maddie Dai and directed by Josephine Stewart-Te Whiu.

This one took home the Special Jury Award for Filmmaking and I would give it another award for it’s story finesse in how it plays with point of view and serves up the classic heist/escape genre. A period piece set in 1954 on a remote island in NZ this original script follows a group of delinquent young women under the care of a fellow Māori Matron. Not shying away from the dehumanizing Māori cultural indoctrination, the film also rejects any binary by showing us the surprising capacity of women to both antagonize and have each other’s back. The writer Maddie Dai has worked in writers rooms like S2 of Our Flag Means Death (Taika Waititi is an Executive Producer on the film).

@WeWereDangerous

Lastly, Gasoline Rainbow from the Russo bros.

Man these white dudes can roll. Like, they shoot pure cinema verite at its finest. In this case, capturing a group of kids on a road trip in the Northwest. Their lens always finds the gravity and cinematic in the every day. There are some shots in here that took my breath away. And I won’t forget what one uncle says to the kids; Adults are just kids without supervision. Take a look at the trailer below. Of course Mubi is distributing this.

DOES SXSW OWN A.I.?

On to panels: It seems like nearly every other panel was some sort of session on Generative AI, Algorithms, Multi-Modal, Language Learning Model. Indiewire was quick to post the audience booing the one bumper where Peter Deng of ChatGPT hands out the A.I can-make-us-more human-kool-aid. Which was in sharp contrast to actual human visionary filmmakers the Daniels admitting they are terrified. After watching about 10 panels on the subject I definitely witnessed this paradox play out. IMO, there is going to be a short stretch of disruption where these tools have a level of accessibility and democratization where different perspectives and priorities can affect how it rolls out….before we revert back to the status quo.

The folks on this panel called Beyond Generative AI: Multimodal Narrative Experiences kept talking about how bummed they were that somebody named Edward Saatchi had to cancel last minute. I never heard of this guy. Until now. Are you ready to get your mind blown? This guy is ‘growing’ intelligent life in a petri dish aka simulation that is. Maybe you read the Forbes article last year about the South Park A.I. generated episode. If you listen to his Ted Talk about SIM Francisco, he starts with dropping Sisyphus. Yea, more like Icarus buddy. Carlos Calva, is similarly running head first into this world of ‘agents’ to reach another frontier of filmmaking and companionship.

Another impressive speaker I didn’t know before this SXSW, is Dr. Joy Buolamwini, author of Unmasking AI: My Mission to Protect What is Human in a World of Machines. I know, where have I been. Perhaps you have seen the 2020 Netflix documentary, CODED BIAS. She uncovers the harm and threat that AI systems have on vulnerable and marginalized people. It can easily amplify racism, sexism, ableism, and other forms of discrimination. In fact if you need to report harm or in her words being ex-coded you can do so here on the Algorithmic Justice League. Megan and Harry recently awarded her with the NAACP Digital Civil Rights Award. In her perspective, “If you are creating tools that don’t work on the Global Majority, have you really made a good tool in the first place?”

@ajlunited

I consider myself a day one fan of this man’s work, Sterlin Harjo, creator and showrunner of Reservation Dogs. He stopped by the Tulsa House on Rainey hosted by Tulsa Office of Film, Music Arts & Culture for a casual chat, sure yea about the business, but better than that, sharing stories about his childhood and how his roots are intrinsic to his storytelling production. I will miss Reservation Dogs but I’m actually excited for this next chapter of his life where we can be gifted with more of his deeply unique perspective. He is currently shooting an FX pilot with Ethan Hawke described as Tulsa Noir, he is developing a project about Alcatraz and Richard Oakes, Mohawk activist, and Olympic Gold athlete Jim Thorpe, brought up in the Sac and Fox Nation in Oklahoma who played a number of sports at the highest level in the early 20th Century.

I got a chance to see my friend Liz Cardenas, award winning producer (7 Days, Never Going Back, Ghost Story) on a panel called Demystifying Distribution about what filmmakers can do to navigate working with film financiers. Among many nuggets of wisdom was try not to operate from a place of fear. Hear the full audio recording HERE.

I also caught Omar Rodriguez Lopez, the El Paso native who’s likely better known for his music projects, Mars Volta and At The Drive-In than his filmmaking. I’ve seen three of his films and they all have a wildly original and frenetic sense of searching to them. He is in post on his next movie and all I know is that it was shot in the Yucatan and produced by Michel Lipkes, filmmaker/producer/programmer. Omar was at the festival as subject of the documentary Omar & Cedric: If this ever gets weird.

LASTLY, TEXAS.

I made a weeklong trip out of this SXSW. BBQ at the original Smitty’s market was a happy welcome to Texas the day I arrived thanks to my pal Robin Lambaria, filmmaker and head of Marfa Film Festival (it’s on hiatus!). It was my first time visiting San Marcos (pop. 45k) and it is cute. They say it’s what Austin was in the 70’s. Robin also took me to the most serene riverbank alongside the San Marcos river aka YAKONA. I lost a chancla but it was worth communing with the Yakona. Check out this beautiful documentary about Yakona that played at the 2014 SXSW Film Festival.

It’s not too late to tune in to the dialogue spun at SXSW. Head on over to SXSW’s YouTube to catch the keynotes/conversations/sessions. I know I’ll still be catching up. And don’t forget to look at the actual schedule that is still up which contains the audio files for those not video recorded.

For the films mentioned here, make sure to follow the film’s IG for future release updates. And you can save the date and start planning for next year. Dates and presale have already begun!

Claudette Godfrey, Festival Queen aka
Director of SXSW Film and TV Festival

If you want a SXSW film fix now, a number of my faves that premiered last year are readily available; Julio Torres’s EL PROBLEMISTA via A24, Kris Mercado’s IF YOU WERE THE LAST available on Peacock, and BOTTOMS by Emma Seligman, an Orion release now available on Prime.

Borscht Diez – the festival at sea level that’s Next Level

March 4, 2017March 5, 2017Christine DavilaLeave a comment

On Wednesday February 22, a vortex took shape in Miami known as Borscht Diez, the 10th edition of Borscht Film Festival, which created ripples around the world. It started with the end. A funeral pyre where Borscht’s 13 years of past work (via hard drives) was eulogized and then promptly lit and burnt to ashes. The festival closed on Sunday, February 26 with a major phoenix rising boom for Borscht – whose mission is to put authentic Miami narratives on the map -when locals at the African Cultural Heritage Center watched in exhilaration as hometown set and filmmaker Barry Jenkins’ film Moonlight took home three Oscars; Best Supporting Actor for Mahershala Ali, Best Adapted Screenplay, and major key win: Best Picture.

photo by Miami New Times

photo by @borscht

For those who don’t know – Borscht Corp is a non profit and artist collective I talk about frequently on my blog because since 2011 their films have been selected at the top festivals around the world. The organism spawned around 2004 and has multiplied into a rising number of unique and unapologetic artists who collaborate across platforms in film, digital and art projects. Borscht’s Day One funder and to this day is The Knight foundation. Borscht represents a wild, pop and savvy storytelling community who sneak relevant cultural perspectives and social/geo/political/tech-driven commentary. When it comes to American Latino representation at festivals – something I talk about a lot on this blog, Borscht nearly always appears in my WTF is Latino at xyz festival and they found that last year at a major film festival, 50% of US fiction shorts by Latinos were Borscht commissions.

screen-shot-2017-03-04-at-4-40-41-pm — Borscht

Two of the chief architects of this nuclear reactor, Jillian Mayer and Lucas Leyva, recently gained the support of Time Warner’s One Fifty which invests in creators, with the goal of creating a pipeline into the entertainment divisions who recognize the need for fresh content in order to stay relevant and reach younger socially connected audiences. Mayer and Leyva have collaborated on many projects as writers/directors/producers and with One Fifty are working on a few exciting things TBA. Their most recent short Kaiju Bunkaru premiered at Sundance, and they are actively developing their first feature set in Cuba as writers/directors. The partners in crime have also used Time Warner’s support to continue to spearhead their work of promoting and supporting other up and coming Miami artists. A few of these include the Meza brothers, Bernardo Britto, Alexa Haas, Monica Peña, Celia Rowlson-Hall, Amy Seimetz, Ahol Sniffs Glue, Jonathan David Kane, Julian Yuri Rodriguez, and Giancarlo Loffredo.

Mayer. by @Dilabar

Leyva. by Marilyn Loddii

A typical film festival is usually evaluated by the strength of its film selection, but this ain’t no typical film festival – its a whole experience, and one that is curated off the cuff yet quite tight. The 70 something odd number of features, shorts and videos comprising the program is driven by Borscht made films, Miami related stories, and natives. Its audacious vision is pretty organically glued with near future narratives and primal and cosmic evocations – always with a daring, and often underrepresented point of view.

Screenings were held at three main theater venues; The Miami Beach Cinematheque, New World Center, Olympia Theater – which when taken over by Borscht surely broadened those institutions’ reach and seemed to take on a new feel. Outside these established venues, screens were also popped up, intervening public spaces; on the water, in the streets, off a beaten path of an island, on walls inside and outside. Just like screens were

CLAP BITCHES. by Marilyn Loddi

Hyperbody by Marilyn Loddi

unleashed, so were stories unconfined to said screens by weaving thematic narratives around each screening event. Like being handed a cacti to accompany you to a film about a conquistador and being told that the questions will be taken strictly from the cacti. Or the animation bookends at the main film event where sea anemones from the future (fake/future news reel tells us that sea level rise has buried Miami underwater) presented the program while making fun of the blip that was humans and the rubble we left behind that we called “art”. And then there are the personal experiences in participating that creates yet another story – like the time I kayaked by myself at night a mile out to an undisclosed island location for a screening, thinking that if I flipped over into the lukewarm sea the temperature would be nice but rubbing up on something would give probably stop my heart.

Cosmic and coral sex inside New World Center

Other big events included Coral Orgy, an immersive psychedelic projection by local marine biologists/artists Coral Morphologic with a live score performed by Animal Collective, a vogue ball by Catwalk Miami that was EVERYTHING, an amusing opera piece by Joseph Keckler, performances by Hyperbody, Poor Girrrl and Miami’s very own bad bitch no-nanna-hoe Trina – and that’s just what I witnessed firsthand. Of the VR stuff I flexed my empathy muscles being that I embodied Dubya’s body – naked in a tub, happily painting- thanks to an installation by Tenderclaws.

photo by Marilyn Loddi

I moderated a panel called Warn a Brother with Terence Nance about how independent artist like him can preserve their voice while transitioning from independent to working with studios. Like MayerLeyva, Terence is working with One Fifty who made it possible for him to shoot his pilot Random Acts of Flyness for HBO. ‘Mobilize don’t Satiriz’e was one of a few gems that I heard Terence say about his self-expression. Tamir Muhammad, the artist development engineer responsible for bringing them in is also working with creators like Young Guru, Lemon Anderson and Melonie Diaz. Tamir moderated another panel called Code Switching your way to the top which included my homegirl, Dilcia Barrera, LACMA Film Curator and Sundance shorts programmer, and Walter Newman from Adult Swim. The convo was about how these cats succeed in an industry dominated by wealthy straight white men.

Me in awe of Terence. by Marilyn Loddi

L-R Dilcia Barrera, Tamir Muhammad and Walter Newman

FILMS: A few highlights. For the full list of cool crazy films that played go here

OPUNTAI

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Miami native David Fenster’s Opuntia is an experimental film inspired by Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca’s Relación. And is narrated by a cactus. The film explores spiritual transformation by way of the fascinating and little known Spanish conquistador turned

shaman during his 8 year expedition on which he lost hundreds of men, was stripped of everything he had, wandered around naked and miraculously survived – in part by eating the fruit of the prickly pear cactus. Fenster visits the spots Cabeza de Vaca supposedly journeyed from St. Petersburg, Florida to Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua and weaves in a psychic medium’s point of view as well as his own personal narrative by including his father and his battle with his health. A profound and existential adventure this was a work in progress screening. Watch out for it.

Manila Death Squad by Dean C. Marcial

A young tenacious reporter insists on a sit-down and plays Kings with the temperamental leader of a brutal assassin group in this kitschy Filipino action film. Dean is currently working on a digital series called Midnight Service with his Calavera co-horts regular Borscht producer Brett Potter. They previously made a short film called Sea Devil – a total masterpiece. Watch here.

[Cries in Spanish] By Giancarlo Loffredo

A young girl sings a song in a Latin cafe. The vibes and jaw dropping twist on this one. From the dude that brought us Stripper Wars.

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Body Heals by Annelise Ogaard

A dispatch from a plastic surgery vacation, reflecting on beauty in the moment of metamorphosis after the knife goes in, but before the bandages come off. Remarkably transparent and unusual in that usually people hide themselves during their cocoon cosmetic post surgery phase. Brooklyn based creator and Vice contributor Annelise’s pov is about flaunting one’s regeneration.

Great Choice by Robin Comisar

A Borscht commissioned short film about a woman who gets stuck in a red lobster commerial. The wacky premise anchored by an insanely real problem comes from Ghost Robot director Comisar who has fun doing stuff with Waverly Films.

One Doggone Summer by Julian Yuri Rodriguez

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Niño bueno and MTV no seasons star Julian, channels his dog lover and sentimental side with this sweet, imaginative story about a boy wants to make sure his doggy goes to heaven.

Agua Viva by Alexa Haas

screen-shot-2017-03-04-at-10-07-44-pm Alexa co-directed the short film, The Glove with Bernardo Britto that debuted last year and is still making the rounds. Her solo effort is about a manicurist in Miami expressing her inner desires, feelings, and daydreams through a language she cannot speak.

Neon Indian

Audience

New World Center

Audience (and me)

Miami artist Ahol Sniffs Glue

Slumpies by Jillian Mayer

My experience with #BorschtDiez was seriously a portal of senses and provocation. It sparked dialogue around sex and gender, and somehow made time, space and matter truly feel relative. If you missed it, well you missed out – this time around. It always comes back around. Til then tune in and follow Borscht’s unique transmission from the 305; Follow @borschtcorp on the socials and head to their website. Shout out to Marilyn Loddi for the on-the-scene photos.

VIVA BORSCHT

WTF is Latino at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival

January 20, 2017January 21, 2017Christine DavilaLeave a comment

The 2017 Sundance Film Festival is officially underway, and its a special one for me because it marks my 10th year with the not for profit. I started working for the institute in 2007 and ever since, every year from from August to November, I screen submissions as a Programming Associate, primarily Latin American and Latino films. More than ever, I feel priviledged to watch such a volume and diverse array of perspectives.

As for my personal mission on this blog, I choose to talk about Latino representation in a laser focused way: highlighting the writers and directors who are out there telling the stories they want to tell the way they want to tell it, and emphasizing the U.S. context. As much as I love to talk about international films, the real void in the U.S. media and therefore urgent need to support, are stories created by first, second, third, multicultural generation Americans.

Overview: Boricuas dominating. Puerto Rico most definitely repping. Also, we got a healthy presence in Digital and Virtual Reality which makes sense beause it (WE) are the future. Without further ado, a rundown of WTF is Latino at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival.

In the U.S. Documentary Competition

DOLORES AKA Woman in Motion directed by Peter Bratt

Executive produced by none other than Carlos Santana and supported by the San Francisco Film Society’s Documentary Fund, this long overdue celebration of Dolores Huerta’s achievements over the course of her 60something years in civil rights is reverent, timely and galvanizing. Peter Bratt is an alumni of the festival. He wrote and directed the San Francisco set, gay coming of age La Mission which played in the 2009 festival. Armed with a rich archive of footage, banging soundtrack and one-on-ones with Dolores herself, the film chronicles one woman’s boldness in tackling the obstacles she faced on the sociopolitical battlefield along with the personal challenges of being an absentee mother. It encourages all women to seize claim to their often overlooked contributions to society.

Also in the U.S. Documentary Competition

DINA directed by Antonio Santini and Dan Sickles

New to the festival, Puerto Rican Antonio Santini’s first documentary feature co-directed with Dan Sickles, MALA MALA about the trans sex worker community in Puerto Rico, premiered at the 2014 Tribeca Film Festival. Like the intimate access of that film, Dina also has a striking sense of intimacy, unpresumptiousness and ultimately delivers an unexpected and very honest connection to someone as authentically unique as Dina.

In the high profile out of competition Premieres section

BEATRIZ AT DINNER directed by Miguel Arteta

31343311256_1f1f040a94_z The Sundance Film Festival showed Arteta’s very first film, Star Maps back in 1997. Ever since he’s made a career of crafting indelible characters across film and television. He reteams with Mike White (Chuck and Buck, GoodGirl) on this deliciously wicked tale of a fateful dinner encounter between a humble holistic healer and a mega brazen successful business developer. The two opposing forces are embodied by the superb Salma Hayek and immense John Lithgow. Thought provoking, unpredictable and utterly engrossing, the dark comedy is produced by Killer Films. Watch an exclusive clip here.

In the bold Next section

LEMON written and directed by Janicza Bravo

Co-written with her star and partner in crime, Brett Gelman, Janicza’s striking feature length debut boasts an insanely big and comedically gifted cast including Michael Cera, Judy Greer, Gillian Jacobs, Martin Starr. Along with a background in design, Bravo has a knack for capturing characters lost in flight with a tragic humor and heart. An alumni of the festival, Gregory Go Boom with Michael Cera and last year’s Woman in Deep with Alison Pill, Bravo is a busy woman. Last May she debuted a Virtual Reality experience at Tribeca Film Festival, called A Hard World for Small Things about a day in the life of South Central, and also directed an episode of the Golden Globe winning show, Atlanta.

In the Shorts Competition

KAIJU BUNRAKU directed by Jillian Mayer and Lucas Leyva

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Marking their 12th project (features and shorts) at the festival in 7 years, multimedia mischievous artists, Jillian and Lucas bring a japanese inspired marionette short this year which like all of their work is eye-grabbing, provocative and is about more than meets the eye. The Miami full time Borsht Corp is a nonprofit which supports Miami filmmakers, they recently supported 28 filmmakers with cold hard cash all of which are poised to premiere at their festival which has been listed on Moviemakers 25 Coolest Festivals in the world. For more info on this February’s event click here.

GOOD CRAZY written and directed by Rosa Salazar

Making her directorial debut, actor Rosa Salazar stars in this short shot around the hipster rising area in LA named Frogtown. The logline: A complex chick deals with a vanilla beau, a shitty brunch, and a dead coyote all in a Los Angeles day. Heart. Excited to see more of her writing and directing.

In the newly minted, Short Form Episodic

GENTIFIED written and directed by Marvin Lemus

Marvin Lemus who made a short film with Project Involve called Vamonos which I loved (you can watch it on PBS online) will be premiering 3 episodes of this series that takes place in Boyle Heights. Each episode features a resident trying to pursue their living/art. Lemus hits a chord/funny bone here as most of the tension and strife is intergenerational; old school mexican generation clashing with millenials. The series is backed by Mr. Charles King and his company Macro. Lemus is in good company. Macro also produced Denzel Washington’s Fences, and at the festival Dee Ree’s WW2 period Mudbound.

In the animation spotlight

VICTOR Y ISOLINA by William Caballero

Its only three years ago that William popped up on the radar with his animated series Gran’pa Knows Best, a really funny and sweet series in which he used 3-D printed miniatures of his Puerto Rican grandfather over real voicemails that his grandfather from would leave for him. Initially an independent short, it was quickly snapped up with HBO. Victor y Isolina introduces his grandma to the mix, who is the perfect foil to his unapologetic grandpa. Produced by Elaine Del Valle who produced her own webseries, Reasons y I’m Single. Check out his website for more info.

In the New Frontier (the future) section

NEUROSPECULATIVE AFROFEMINISM

I don’t know much about this one but the description sounds super fascinating; a beauty salon of the future’. Fingers crossed I get an opportunity to experience it while I’m here. Also I’m dying to meet one of the artist/engineers, Carmen Aguilar y Wedge who founded Hypen-Lab, an international team of women of color working at the intersection of tech, art, science and narrative.

IF NOT LOVE by Rose Troche

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I been crushing hard on Rose Troche for as far back as I can remember. Go Fish changed my life. No joke. She was a producer on Concussion, and has since come back to the festival in the New Frontier program with a series called Perspectives, which puts you in the shoes of a person caught in a situation a result which shatters any idea of black and white and makes you swim in the gray. Per the description: IF NOT LOVE challenges the viewer to contemplate another difficult subject—a mass shooting at a nightclub, but this time with the question posited: is another outcome possible?

OUT OF EXILE: DANIEL’S STORY by Nonny de la Peña

I mean, she’s been called the Godmother of Virtual Reality. Nonny de la Peña also returns to New Frontier with this piece that recreates Daniel Ashley Pierce’s coming out video that went viral. If you don’t know the heartbreaking and inspirational story read here This experience puts your body into the middle of the action around audio that Daniel recording during that encounter.

For deeper coverage on Latino and Latin American talent at the festival check out REMEZCLA. For a closer look at all documentaries at the festival head over to What (not) to Doc. Livestream the festival’s panels and watch select shorts from home. And follow my BTS on Twitter @IndieFindsLA and insta ChicanafromChicago.

WTF is Latino @LAFilmFest?

June 4, 2016June 11, 2016Christine DavilaLeave a comment

Screen Shot 2016-06-04 at 12.00.15 PM — By LA artist Carolyn Castaño

If you are like me, you make local film festival plans last minute, which makes my annual WTF is Latino at LA Film Festival post not so much late as just (still) in time for you to make a few movie selections this weekend and next week. The festival started last Wednesday, June 1 and runs through Thursday June 9th. PDF of schedule here.

In full disclosure I am a Programming Consultant for the festival. These aren’t reviews as much as hopefully an insightful guide. My purpose in this series is not only to spotlight Latino writers/directors and monitor representation, but also to challenge notions of WTF is Latino. It is a U.S. context classification that is vast; a generational and geographic diaspora. The term Latino is often mistakenly appropriated to international filmmakers/talent from Spanish and Portugese-speaking countries. Alejandro Gonzales Inñaritu is not Latino or a Person of Color guys. I’m talking about ‘Merican – Latinos.

Screen Shot 2016-06-04 at 11.56.37 AM — Cars at the Hollywood Lowriders film premiere courtesy of the De Albas

The biggest change at the LA Film Festival is that it has moved from DTLA’s L.A. Live Regal Cinemas to the West side in Culver City’s Arclight Cinemas. The festival has scaled down considerably from 2014’s nearly 200 features to this year’s 56 feature-length film lineup. It underwent a programming department shakeup last year, the result of which it achieved an unprecedented shift towards more inclusive representation. The festival also established a strict world premiere requirement outside of a few special screenings and the Buzz section in order to give new films a shot. For the second year in a row the festival remains leader of the mainstream festival pack with keeping true to its diversity mission. 43% of the films in competition categories are directed by women; and 38% of the films are directed by people of color. 86% of the films in competition are directed by 1st or 2nd time directors.

About the U.S. Latino rep – there’s 5 US. Latino feature-length writers/directors I can identify which comes out to roughly under 10%. In front of the camera the program includes co-starring/cameo roles from established actors like John Leguizamo, Eva Longoria, Lauren Luna Velez, Elizabeth Rodriguez, Judy Reyes, Emily Rios as well as hot rising talent like Gabriel Chavarria, Yvette Monreal and Victor Almanzar.

LOWRIDERS directed by Ricardo de Montreuil, written by Elgin James and Cheo Hodari Coker.

Everyone agrees that the film’s theme made this the perfect LA Film Festival world premiere and while I’ll take full credit in pitching the film to the festival, I certainly cannot take credit for giving it the prestigious Opening Night slot which speaks to Festival Director, Stephanie Allain’s mission of centering underrepresented films as festival headliners. About the film’s pedigree: The film was conceived by Hollywood producer Brian Grazer who grew up fascinated with the lowrider culture. Grazer enlisted Peruvian filmmaker Ricardo de Montreuil to direct, who with his super talented Colombian DP Andres Sanchez, captures the landmark bridges, hills, hotspots and avenues of El Sereno, Echo Park, Elysian Park and Boyle Heights. But its LA born and bred legendary tattoo artist Mr. Cartoon and photographer Estevan Oriol, listed as executive producers, along with co-writer Elgin James, who lend the film some cred and streak Screen Shot 2016-06-04 at 11.59.21 AM of authenticity into this male-dominated club culture. In front of the camera is East Los Angeles native Gabriel Chavarria (East Los) who plays Danny Alvarez, the graffiti artist son of a an OG lowrider club member. Cast is rounded out by Italian stallion sweetheart Theo Rossi (Sons of Anarchy) who plays his brother, Guatemalan-American Tony Revolri as a friend, Academy Award nominated Mexican actor Demian Bichir (A Better Life), Eva Longoria and Yvette Monreal. The Grazer/Blumhouse production, which is said to have cost around 5 million, has yet to announce a release date let alone a trailer or social media campaign.

LUPE UNDER THE SUN written and directed by Rodrigo Reyes

https://vimeo.com/169134197

A bittersweet tale about a fascinating and flawed man who comes to an unsettling realization about his impermanence. Set in Merced, California where Mexican-American filmmaker Reyes is from, Lupe Under the Sun is slotted in the World Cinema competition. I listed this film as one of my top 10 films to watch out for in 2016 so I’m so excited to see it get its first festival premiere. While it makes sense to tag the docu-fiction film under immigrant struggles, don’t get it twisted. Reyes’ sophomore film smartly eschews politics and portrays a personal and deeply moving character’s existential crisis.

@LupeUnderTheSun

11:55 directed by Ben Snyder and Ari Issler, written by Victor Almanzar

https://vimeo.com/169097990

The title is a sly evocation to a 3:10 to Yuma type western duel in that it sets an increasingly tense timer from Marine Nelson Sanchez’s early morning return back home to that night’s arrival of a bus carrying a dangerous antagonist who blames him for the death of his brother and is out for revenge. Dominican-American Victor Almanzar who is a real life Marine, stars and co-wrote the film. The story is tight and oozes tension from the get as his homecoming is quickly overshadowed by the looming danger which conflicts with his genuine desire to move forward with his girlfriend and protect his sister and niece. Bomb performances by Victor and Elizabeth Rodriguez as well as John Leguizamo who plays a veteran in a wheelchair (damn he is good at drama). About the directors, both cinematographers in their own right, Ben Snyder notably was a Story Consultant for documentary The Wolfpack and did additional cinematography for Nas: Time is Illmatic, while Ari has shot music documentaries like Brothers Hypnotic and the Hip Hop Project.

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72 HOURS in Brooklyn: A Love Story directed by Raafi Rivero, co-written with Bilal N’Dongo

The film had its first world premiere screening Thursday night so if you missed it I urge you to join the campaign to demand an encore screening slot. I hope it happens. This is a must watch as its an incredible feat of collaborative and guerilla filmmaking. It is a ridiculously authentic and compelling feature of interweaving slices of Black youth in Brooklyn led by one college-bound 18 year old Caesar Winslow’s pursuit of romance across Brooklyn.

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When I asked Rivero how he defines his cultural background, he said Hip Hop. Which is a good reminder how each person identifies with their own distinct cultural upbringing (Okay he’s got a grandfather from Cuba).

@72HrsBK

#72HrsBK

ACTORS OF SOUND directed by Lalo Molina

The craft and history of Foley for all you Foley junkies. A documentary playing in the LA Muse section.

Making the rounds on the festival circuit since Sundance and SXSW is short film, The Send-Off directed by Ivette Lucas playing in Documentary Shorts program 1.

Screen Shot 2016-06-04 at 12.53.39 PM — Dir Amber Tambyln with Emily Rio

Emily Rios (From Dusk til Dawn tv, The Bridge, Quinceañera) plays Alia Shawkat’s punk no nonsense best friend in the film adaptation of Paint it Black written by Janet Finch. It’s notably quite an impressive and dynamic directorial debut by actor Amber Tamblyn. The film is premiering in the U.S. Competition.

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Lauren Luna Velez has a deliciously wicked role as police chief in the ultra-fun action violent cult comic adaptation Officer Downe about an L.A. supercop who is killed in the line of duty but is resurrected to clean up the streets. The joy ride is directed by M. Shawn Crahan (Slipknot) screening in the NightFall Section.

Judy Reyes (Scrubs) is called on to soothe the anxiety of a young girl’s first period and welcome her into womanhood in comedy Girl Flu written and directed by Dorie Barton, screening in the LA Muse section.

and now MISC: A couple of my recent festival faves and must-see’s if you can catch them at the fest.

Screen Shot 2016-06-04 at 12.59.04 PM.png KICKS, the pulsing and striking directorial debut of Justin Tipping is co-written with Joshua Beirne-Golden. Both of whom incidentally wrote an original script for Lowriders at one point and ultimately received co-producer credit. The Oakland set film stars stunner talent Jahking Guillory who decides to go after whats his (the Air Jordans he bought himself which he was jacked for) ultimately sending him on an irrevocable path torwards confronting what it means to be a man in his social construct. The film premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival. #KicksFilm

JEANS OF THE JONESES – saw this really witty matriarchal comedy at SXSW by first time filmmaker Black Canadian Stella Meghie starring Taylor Paige as a hopeless in love, adorably searching writer.

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Follow the latest scoop @LAFilmFest, check out their YouTube videos for daily coverage and interviews, and for more info go to website or call box office: 1 866 Film Fest.

Heading to the Westside so stay tuned for more via my twitter handle: @IndieFindsLA

WTF is Latino at SXSW FILM?

March 7, 2016March 10, 2016Christine DavilaLeave a comment

3026402-inline-i-17-an-oral-history-of-sxsw-interactive I’m getting all psyched up just thinking about this weekend when I’ll finally be seated at the Alamo Ritz on 6th street, ordering my refreshing Paloma cocktail, and sitting back to watch some wildness that SXSW Film selected. Yep, its the 2016 SXSW rodeo.

Of course I’m talking about the mega mega South by Southwest Interactive/Film/Music Festival and Conference kicking off this Thursday from March 11-20 in Austin, Texas.

So what’s the Latino presence? Lets go wide for this one. For the past two years SXSW has tagged its Ibero and Latin American programming across film, interactive and music, under the umbrella SXAméricas. This year, Brazil and Spain have the biggest presence in the film program (3 features for Brazil, 5 films/filmakers from Spain). For the first time in the festival’s history there is a film from Ecuador, UIO: Take Me for a Ride (although back in 2014 Austin based Ecuadorian-American filmmaker Alex R. Johnson had his film Two Step in the fest) which is notable for its rarity. Major KEY alert, Uruguayan filmmaker Fede Alvarez will be dropping his mysteriously under wraps untitled Ghosthouse Thriller.

Screen Shot 2016-03-07 at 11.12.45 PM — bad cop, bad cop

Personally I cannot wait to see WAR ON EVERYONE by the wicked Irish hooligan John Michael McDonagh (The Guard, Cavalry, also his brother wrote/directed the savagely entertaining IN BRUGES). War on Everyone which premiered in the fancy Berlinale last month is a black, pulpy buddy cop flick filmed in ‘Burque’ New Mexico. The film stars Michael Peña, Alexander Skarsgard, Tessa Thompson and Miss Bala/Bond girl Stephanie Sigman.

I usually try to focus on only U.S. Latino writers/directors, but I’ll expand and be global for this edition as there is just too much cool filmmaking and stories coming from South America and Spain. Also, this is by no means a definitive list of WTF is Latino but a pre-curtain look. More once I’m on the ground!

PET directed by Carles Torrens

One of five directors Vice says is going to save Spanish Cinema, Carles Torrens’ second feature film, Pet is premiering in the Midnight section. From Barcelona, Torrens graduated from Chapman University. A psychological thriller in which Dominic Monaghan plays a man who runs into an old high school classmate he use to have the hots for. His creepy attempts to romance is met with rejection. Naturally, he takes her prisoner at the dogpound he works at to teach her a lesson, only to find that she is not who she seems. Torrens’ first directing feature was Apartment 143 written by Rodrigo Cortes (Buried with Ryan Reynolds). Previously Torrens directed shorts like the twisted thriller Sequence, which has played over a hundred festivals. Pet teaser below.

OVARIAN PSYCOS directed by Joanna Sokolows and Kate Trumbull-LaValle

The OVA’S ARE COMING! It’s so rad to see this documentary about the badass cycling brigade, Ovarian Psycos get its world premiere at South By. I have been talking about this one on here since its first Kickstarter, and last year’s Top Docs to Watch Out for list. The filmmakers managed to successfully crowd-fund a second time on Kickstarter in order to fly and put up members of the collective from the Eastside EL-Lay in Austin and represent at the world premiere. Don’t be surprised to see the sisterhood ride through the street raising awareness for social issues that affect all women. In fact I’d follow them on Twitter so you can join in. Austin has a great rental bike program.

UNTITLED GHOST HOUSE THRILLER written and directed by Fede Alvarez

With no confirmed title yet nor film stills out there, this second original film from Alvarez is about “a group of teens break into a blind man’s home thinking they’ll get away with the perfect crime. They’re wrong.” This is the guy who six years ago caught fire when his 5 minute short film Panic Attack made the rounds and ultimately got him the gig to helm the 2013 Evil Dead reboot which is bananas. Only info that is clear on this one is that Jane Levy stars, its from Sony Pictures and Sam Raimi produces. It’s been referred to and on IMDB its listed as A Man in the Dark. Fede has also been rumored to be director of Warner Bros’ Dark Universe. Fede has also directed episodes of Robert Rodriguez’s From Dusk Til Dawn TV series.

TRANSPECOS co-written and directed by Greg Kwedar

A thriller set in the dry outposts of Texas in which border patrol men, two of who are played by Latinos, Clifton Gonzalez and Gabriel Luna, stumble onto evidence that may lead to a plot between the cartel and one of their own. I read the script a while ago and remember vividly visualizing the filmmakers’ cinematic western noir intent. Given the score is co-written by The Revenant composer, Bryce Dessner, and it the film shot by Jeffrey Waldron, a versatile commercial, documentary and indie film D.P, it will surely deliver on that front. Kwedar, who previously produced the documentary Rising From Ashes, about Rwanda’s first ever cyling team, teamed up with Texan filmmaker, Clint Bentley to write his feature directorial debut. I’m eager to report back on this one. Last border fiction tale I saw that flexed its thriller genre (unfortunately over story) was El Desierto from Mexican Jonas Cuaron which ultimately suffered from oversimplistic storytelling.

Website
Twitter

FROM NOWHERE co-written and directed by Matthew Newton

In Narrative Spotlight, From Nowhere is the film adaptation of the play, No One Asked Me written by Kate Ballen, whose 10 year experience as a counselor at a Bronx high school where she helped undocumented students navigate the college admission process became the basis and inspiration to tell this story. Australian director/actor Newton directed No One Asked Me as part of Fringe NYC festival last fall. Newton previously directed Three Blind Mice which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival. Julianne Nicholson ostensibly plays Kate as the teacher and the students are played by J. Mallory McCree (Quantico, We Need to Talk about Kevin), and newcomer Octavia Chavez-Richmond.

Website

INSATIABLE directed by Brett A. Schwartz

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnFD_-uIzEM
Homaro Cantu was a goddamned trail blazer. Legend has it that he came to Chicago with $300 in his pocket and camped out at famed master chef Charlie Trotter’s until he gave him a job. He shortly thereafter became his sous chef. In 2003 he opened up his avant garde restaurant Moto which became a prized Michelin star rated restaurant and blew up Chicago on the culinary map. He was a beloved figure in the chef community so the news of his death last spring at age 38 rocked everyone’s world. My sister, Diana Davila who is a chef in Chicago idolized Cantu so much that she had her engagement dinner there. Apparently filmmaker Brett A. Schwartz was granted a fair amount of access for the three years he followed him. The aptly titled film focuses on Cantu’s game-changing culinary practices, mad passion for the intersection of science, art and health, and deep imprint he left as a molecular gastronomy pioneer.

Website
Twitter

SHORTS

THE SEND-OFF by Ivette Lucas and Patrick Bresnan

I previously wrote about Ivette’s film Mexican Fried Chicken. Her new documentary short with filmmaking partner Patrick Bresnan premiered at Sundance earlier this year. The film is a fly on the wall look at a group of seniors from a Central Florida high school as they they prep and dress for the big prom affair which includes their local block party show where the royally dressed young couples pose for snaps.

PHIL’S CAMINO directed by Jessica Lewis and Annie Oneil

A first film, and a really moving half hour doc short about Phil who has stage four cancer and decides that to ‘heal’ himself he is going to trek the 500 mile Camino de Santiago pilgrimage in Spain.

International films

EAT MY SHIT written and directed by Eduardo Casanova

You know you want to watch. Here is the full 3 minute shit.

The 23 year old filmmaker’s bio: Cinema is what I truly believe. Cinema is the cause and solution for every trouble I have. Cinema to me is like morphine to Bela Lugosi, like Richard Burton to Liz Taylor, like red lights to Dario Argento, like big boobs to Russ Meyer, like Lynch and the dwarfs.

Website

VICTOR XX written and directed by Ian Garrido Lopez.

Trailer above for the 20 something min short from Spain which was incubated and premiered at the Cannes Film Festival. The film’s synopsis: “Victor likes to experiment with his gender. He doesn’t know if he feels like a boy or a girl.” The actor who plays Victor, Alba Martinez is magnetic. Bravo to Ian, a 27 year old transgender filmmaker from the south east Mediteranean coast of Spain for directing the performance and bringing this story to the fore.

Website

SEMANA SANTA written and directed by Alejandra Marquez

I previously wrote about this first feature in my last Mexican film roundup post. Making its U.S. premiere after playing Toronto up north and Los Cabos down South, the film is a keenly felt and compelling story set in a run down Acapulco during Easter holiday. You might recognize Tenoch Huerta from Dias de Gracia, Gueros, Mozart & The Jungle.

UIO: TAKE ME FOR A RIDE co-written and directed by Micaela Rueda

LGBT film from Ecuador, a co-production with Mexico and Colombia. Michaela has spent the last five years working on her first fiction feature debut, working from a script by Juan José Valle. You can see the trailer on the film sales agent site M-Appeal

KILL ME PLEASE written and directed by Anita Rocha da Silveira

First premiering at the Venice Film Festival this impressive next level teen angst tale is a first feature from Brazil/Argentina. Set in a newly developed city in Rio de Janeiro the story’s backdrop is a wave of murders which calls 15 year old Bia’s attention. The filmmaker says, “Bia is someone who wants to kill herself yet wants to carry on living, experiencing everything to the edge – she wants to be killed but also wants to kill, wake up the next day, and do it all over again.” Sounds dope.

DEAD SLOW AHEAD co-written and directed by Mauro Herce

The hums, deep waves and barge ship motor noises makes for a really hypnotizing minimal film from Spain. Check out the trailer here. Born in Barcelona in 1976, Mauro Herce graduated in engineering and fine arts before enrolling in top film school Cuba’s San Antonio de los Baños.

JULES AND DOLORES cowritten and directed by Caito Ortiz

Selected in the Visions section, the more ‘audacious’ filmmaking section, this 1983 set Brazilian caper about stealing the world cup trophy looks like pure boogie down fun. You can see trailer here. Caito Ortiz is on the director roster of slick advertising and entertainment company Prodigo Films.

THE SPACE IN BETWEEN – Marina Abramovic and Brazil

Directed by the Sao Paulo cinematography artist, Marco Del Fiol. All you need to know is that this is Marina’s trip and we are along for the ‘hardcore and spiritual’ ride.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mD8JD9QG5Jc

Here we go! Kickstarting the Ambulante USA movement

June 17, 2014June 17, 2014Christine DavilaLeave a comment

I nodded off at 3am with Orange is The New Black finale in the background while compiling my old yahoo contacts and email lists from the various film festivals I’ve worked in the past 12 years. Why? To prepare a Master email blast to ask people to back Ambulante California on Kickstarter. If I didn’t love this social cinema platform and believe it to be a noble and radical vehicle that stimulates the ecosystem of audiences and filmmakers I would probably think twice about emailing folks I haven’t talked to in a while. But that’s not the case. Here’s me a few hours ago all showered after two strong instant black coffees making a video to commemorate the launch.

And here is the campaign video and page. Please click HERE to go to page and get involved and support this project!

Don’t be shy, tell me what you think. I will try to update my blog with this crazy rollercoaster journey of the Chicana from Chicago heading up a traveling documentary film festival.

#AllOrNothing

#DoubleDown

#WTF is #Latino at SXSW Film Festival?

February 11, 2014February 12, 2014Christine DavilaLeave a comment

Perhaps the highest profile U.S. Latino film at SXSW this year is the dramatic feature about labor rights organizer Cesar Chavez. Another film on Chavez, the documentary Cesar’s Last Fast, premiered at Sundance last month. I’m thrilled to see two of the biggest U.S. Festivals supporting this story getting out there. I’m also happy to see that the version directed by Diego Luna, starring Michael Peña as Cesar, is not the only US Latino offering at SXSW, the edgiest mainstream film festival in the U.S. of A. I count 5 U.S. Latino writer/directors on this roster among many other artists and subjects.

Before we dive in, my caveats: First, this is at best, a prelim list. I’m sure I will discover more US Latino talent once I get there and watch more films and meet the artists behind them.

2. My goal is to single out the U.S. Latino content creators, that is writer/directors because they are ridiculously under-represented.

3. By U.S. Latino I mean people born or living in the U.S. who have roots from Mexico, Central & South America and the Caribbean.

Back to this piece; I’m including actors, producers and cinematographers because they are critical to the making of the film, and subjects of documentaries as well as themes and perceptions of Latino culture because you don’t have to have Latino blood to “get it”. That’s a sensibility you pickup because of where you live, or because of a best friend/neighbor, or a connection you feel when you experience a an artistic expression outside what your traditional ethnic culture dictates.

Sorry for shutting out Spain and Brazil on this list. They will be fine. That said I’m looking forward to Open Windows by Spanish loco, Nacho Vigalondo where Elijah Wood is suppose to go on a date with Sasha Grey. And there is the Brazilian film, Wolf at the Door, feature length debut from Fernando Coimbra.

One Night in Old Mexico by Emilio Aragon bears mention. It is a Spanish (that means Spain people) production shot in Brownsville, Texas. Joaquin Cosio (Cochiloco!) is the only Mexican actor I notice in the credits. Robert Duvall acts and produces in this old-timey South of the Border road trip. I will view with an open mind and hope that Tijuana brothel strippers and corrupt Narco cowboys are not just background to an Anglo, Father and (grand) Son story. I do like the Julieta Venegas song for the film, “Aqui Sigo”.

Thanks to my SXSW peeps for their descriptions and help. If I have anything to add, I do so in Italics. If YOU have anything to add please feel free to COMMENT!

HEADLINERS

Chef
Director/Screenwriter: Jon Favreau
Chef is a rich and vibrant comedy – the story of Carl Casper (Favreau), who loses his chef job and cooks up a food truck business in hopes of reestablishing his artistic promise. At the same time, he tries to reconnect with his estranged family. Cast: Jon Favreau, Sofia Vergara, Scarlett Johansson, John Leguizamo, Bobby Cannavale, Dustin Hoffman, Oliver Platt, Robert Downey, Jr., Emjay Anthony (World Premiere)

NARRATIVE SPOTLIGHT

CESAR CHAVEZ
Director: Diego Luna
Screenwriter: Keir Pearson, Timothy J. Sexton
Chavez chronicles the birth of a modern American movement led by famed civil rights leader and labor organizer, Cesar Chavez.  Cast: Rosario Dawson, John Malkovich, Michael Pena, America Ferrera, Gabriel Mann (North American Premiere)

Finally, a U.S. Latino story gets the orchestral score, epic, Hollywood blockbuster-gloss treatment it deserves. And tomorrow evening, Cesar Chavez is having its World Premiere as a fancy Berlinale Special Gala. Film is being rolled out in the U.S. starting on Cesar Chavez day, March 29. John Malkovich, one of the producers of the film, also stars as Bogdanovitch, the grape crop owner and son of immigrants who wages battle against Chavez’s efforts to mobilize. The filmmakers made the role a very smartly drawn character with dimension and Malkovich plays it with unexpected complexity and compassion. Meanwhile America and Rosario elevate the contributions of Chavez’s partners, Helen, his wife, and Dolores Huerta, his work ally, respectively, from background to the fore with their mighty performances. An inspiring account of the sacrifices and failures necessary for triumph and success.

Two Step

Director/Screenwriter: Alex R. Johnson
Two Step is a fast-paced Texas thriller in which the lives of James, a directionless college dropout, and Webb, a career criminal with his back against the wall, violently collide.
Cast: Beth Broderick, James Landry Hébert, Skyy Moore, Jason Douglas, Ashley Rae Spillers (World Premiere)

Austin-based Johnson, whose mom is from Ecuador, is part of SXSW for the first time with his anticipated feature directorial debut, after directing several shorts, videos and producing documentaries. Indiewirepreviously posted background on Two Step’s music (Andrew Kenny of All American Analog set did the score) and offbeat suspense elements along with clips of his work. Check it.

DOCUMENTARY COMPETITION

The Immortalists
Directors: Jason Sussberg, David Alvarado
Two eccentric scientists struggle to create eternal youth in a world they call “blind to the tragedy of old age.” As they battle their own aging and suffer the losses of loved ones, their scientific journeys ultimately become personal. (World Premiere)

David was born in Dallas to a Mexican father, he went to grad school at Stanford and now lives in Brooklyn where he works on films exploring scientific breakthroughs and other fascinating biological radical-ness

Impossible Light
Director: Jeremy Ambers

Impossible Light reveals the drama and the daring of artist Leo Villareal and a small team of visionaries who battle seemingly impossible challenges to turn a dream of creating the world’s largest LED light sculpture into a glimmering reality. (World Premiere)

Villareal grew up in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, and El Paso. Per this Times article, “He was the introverted son of a wealthy Mexican-American family, more interested in programming his Apple II than the provincial pursuits of football, rodeo and tequila”.

Mateo
Director: Aaron I. Naar
Mateo follows America’s most notorious white mariachi singer on his misadventures in Cuba. (World Premiere)

Really interesting story, read the 2009 LA Times piece here and the Time Magazine piece here about this ginger haired white man who found his calling singing bolero music after getting out of Maximum Security Prison.

Print the Legend

Directors: Luis Lopez, Clay Tweel

The 3D Printing revolution has begun. Who will make it? (World Premiere)

Lopez (from Tijuana) and Tweel were associate producers on 2007’s King of Kong and worked together on 201o’s LA Film Fest Best Documentary, Make Believe.

DOCUMENTARY SPOTLIGHT

The Legend Of Shorty (UK)
Directors: Angus MacQueen, Guillermo Galdos
The Legend of Shorty is the story of a man and a myth. (World Premiere)

The sick but undeniably wild appeal of this ‘untouchable’ narco kingpin, Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman puts this at the top of my Must-See list. Not to mention the folks involved; Guillermo Galdos is a respected documentary reporter from Peru. Submarine is co-repping the film for North America with Protagonist. Produced by Simon Chinn (Searching For Sugar Man, Man On Wire) and Andrew Mackenzie-Betty (Thriller In Manila).

VISIONS

Cumbres (Heights) (Mexico)

Director/Screenwriter: Gabriel Nuncio
Due a tragedy, two sisters abruptly escape from their hometown in Northern Mexico. Their journey creates a bittersweet relationship marked by pain, guilt and love. Cast: Aglae Lingow, Ivanna Michel, Abdul Marcos, Sergio Quiñones, Ganzo Cepeda (U.S. Premiere)

Really happy about this film and impressed how Nuncio swooshes forward both the on-the-run stakes never leaving behind the actual sister relationship story behind. I’m looking forward to his next film, Los Herederos which Michel Franco (Despues de Lucia is producing).

The Dance of Reality (Chile / France)

Director/Screenwriter: Alejandro Jodorowsky
The Dance of Reality is a 2013 independent autobiographical film written, produced and directed by Alejandro Jodorowosky.  Cast: Brontis Jodorowsky, Pamela Flores, Jeremias Herskovits, Cristobal Jodorowsky, Bastián Bodenhöfer, Alejandro Jodorowsky (U.S. Premiere)

Almost a year after its premiere in Cannes, the film finally gets its stateside premiere. It’s like surfing on the neural synapses of an artist fully in tune with his twilight years intertwining nostalgia and fantasy.

EPISODIC – new section

From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series

Director/Screenwriter: Robert Rodriguez
The Gecko Brothers are back. Based on the thrill-ride film, From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series is a supernatural crime saga from Creator, Director and EP Robert Rodriguez premiering March 11 on El Rey Network. Cast: D.J. Cotrona, Zane Holtz, Eiza González, Jesse Garcia, Lane Garrison, and Wilmer Valderrama, and Don Johnson (World Premiere)

Halt and Catch Fire
Director: Juan Jose Campanella, Screenwriters: Christopher Cantwell
Halt and Catch Firecaptures the rise of the PC era in the early 1980s, during which an unlikely trio – a visionary, an engineer and a prodigy – take personal and professional risks in the race to build a computer that will change the world as they know it.  Cast: Lee Pace, Scoot McNairy, Mackenzie Rio Davis, Kerry Bishe, Toby Huss, David Wilson Barnes (World Premiere)

Argentine Campanella has directed several episodes of House, Law & Order, 30 Rock and my ol fave, Strangers With Candy. Before that he got international acclaim with his first film, 2009’s The Secret in Her Eyes.

24 BEATS PER SECOND

Que Caramba es la Vida (Germany)
Director: Doris Dorrie
In the macho world of Mariachi music, very few women can hold their own. Just like the songs they play, this film is a snapshot of life, death and the things in between – seen from a bird’s-eye perspective. (World Premiere)

Rubber Soul

Director/Screenwriter: Jon Lefkovitz
Rubber Soul reconstructs portions of two historical interviews with John Lennon and Yoko Ono based on available transcripts and audio, juxtaposing them in order to explore the dynamic nature of Lennon’s identity over time. Cast: Joseph Bearor, Denice Lee, Dillon Porter, Andrew Perez (World Premiere)

Andrew is first generation Colombian American. His next feature which he wrote and acts in is being edited by Rubber Soul director, Jon Lefkovitz, takes place in Colombia, called Bastards & Diablos. He spent six years in my Chi-city, performed at the renowned Steppenwolf Theater with a production of Sonia Flew with Sandra Delgado and Sandra Marquez.

SXGLOBAL

The Desert (Argentina)

Director: Christoph Behl 

The failed story of a love triangle in a post-apocalyptic world. Cast: Victoria Almeida, William Prociuk, Lautaro Delgado (North American Premiere)

German filmmaker who works in Spanish language films. The Desert has been validated at all the top international horror festivals, Sitges, London Fright Fest, Fantasy Festival among others.

MIDNIGHT

Exists
Director: Eduardo Sánchez, Screenwriter: Jamie Nash
Five friends on a camping weekend in the remote woods of East Texas struggle to survive against a legendary beast that is stronger, smarter, and more terrifying than they would have ever believed exists. Cast: Chris Osborn, Dora Madison Burge, Roger Edwards, Denise Williamson, Samuel Davis (World Premiere)

Cuban born Sanchez shot to cult indie horror kingpin over Blair Witch Project. His short in the V/H/S 2 short is so bomb. I can’t wait to see this take on Bigfoot.

Late Phases
Director: Adrián García Bogliano Screenwriter: Eric Stolze
When deadly attacks from the forests beset a secluded retirement community, it is up to a grizzled veteran to figure what the residents are hiding. Cast: Nick Damici, Ethan Embry, Erin Cummings, Tom Noonan, Lance Guest (World Premiere)

Adrián was born in Madrid, grew up in Argentina and now lives and works in Mexico City. This is his first film in English. He has over 20 credits, about half feature length and half shorts, including most recently the ABCs of Death (B is for Bigfoot, incidentally), and Here Comes The Devil. I first experienced his suspenseful horror com romp with his 2004 Rooms for Tourists.

Home
Director/Screenwriter: Nicholas McCarthy
When a realtor is asked to sell a vacant home, she and her sister cross paths with its previous tenant: a teenage girl who sold her soul to the devil. Cast: Naya Rivera, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Ashley Rickards, Wyatt Russell, Ava Acres (World Premiere)

Puerto Rican Naya Rivera (Glee) who recently was quoted in a Cosmo Latina interview it sucks that she has no one to speak Spanish to , and Catalina Sandino Moreno (Maria Full of Grace and Magic Magic) get top billing in this midnight movie from The Pact director McCarthy.

ANIMATED SHORTS

Yearbook

Director/Writer: Bernardo Britto

A man is hired to compile the definitive history of human existence before the planet blows up.

BB is Brasilero from Rio, animated film is produced by the Cuban American Borscht Collective based in Miami. Won Best Animated Film at Sundance. I’m so moved by this. It is so damn profound.

MIDNIGHT SHORTS

Wawd Ahp

Directors: Steve Girard, Josh Chertoff
A man raps in the mirror, cuts his head off, and has sex with it. There is also a cartoon.

No seriously, that is the description and even that is not preparation for the deranged awesome-ness that is Wawd Ahp. The cinematographer Alfredo Alcantara grew up in Mexico City. Check out his work.

Violent Florence (Australia)
Director: Jaime Snyder
Florence rescues a stray cat from a gang of teenagers. After taking the feline to an isolated building, her true intentions emerge.

Cinematographer Benjamin Hidalgo De La Barrera is from Mexico City, another D.F. DP

TEXAS HIGH SCHOOL SHORTS – The future is here!

Cliché
Directors: Joseph Alvarez, Eric Zelaya
Four teenagers on a mission to create the greatest student short film.

Just Skate
Directors: Alicia Tanguma, Brianna Garza
The boy loves to skate.

Purple
Directors: Ryker Allen, Isabella Cabello
A Super-8 esque shot, coming of age music video for the song “Purple” performed by San Antonio based band Islands and Tigers.

Check out the San Antonio multi-media artist Ryker’s impressive work on his website

Seawolf
Directors: Caila Pickett, Max Montoya
Seawolf follows a young girl as she travels to different worlds through magical boxes.

Now that I’ve had a chance to scour through the lineup, I can tell that Latino or not, there’s a whole mixed bag of unadulterated, head-blowing, pants-offing, mind-tripping sing and dancing in store to discover. Get yourself out there for the film, stay for music if you dare. SXSW

Meet Tin Dirdamal – Director of Death in Arizona

February 8, 2014February 10, 2014Christine DavilaLeave a comment

Last weekend I was in Mexico City for the official launch of the 2014 Ambulante documentary tour. The roving film festival has an insanely impressive 35 venues through out most of the burroughs in El Districto Federal. It wanders around in Mexico City one more week until the 13th when the tour hits the road to its next stop in Guerrero. The tour will conclude May 4 in the magical land of Oaxaca and by then it will have traveled to 12 different states throughout Mexico presenting its diverse, international lineup of the latest documentary cinema.

Ambulante has 12 different programming sections including the popular music section, Sonidero, Dictator’s cut, devoted to human rights & freedom of speech, and Injerto, the art & cinema experimental section. Ambulante’s viscus however is Pulsos, where you’ll find the most recent, most original voices of the robust Mexican non fiction narrative. It is here that the world premiere of Death in Arizona, a futuristic documentary, as described by the director, Tin Dirdamal is being presented.

I first met Tin at the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival with his opera prima, DeNadie which won the Audience Award at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival. He is by far one of the most curious, unpretentious, inspired minds I’ve ever met. We took a jaunt up to Coyoacan plaza, an ancient mecca of artisan vendors and merchants, for coffee at my favorite El Jarocho, tamales, and found a relatively quiet garden to have a conversation.

The story is quite personal, about a love lost and a self found, to say it broadly. Without giving away too much, the love in the film is also the producer and co-director Christina Haglund. I asked Tin about his creative process, his favorite Jodorowsky film, his experience at Sundance, and his philosophy on filmmaking and well, life. Check out our conversation and then the trailer to his film. He is truly a one-of-a-kind, thought-provoking, and perhaps the most brilliantly unassuming human being I’m happy to know. Now you meet him.

Here is a trailer of the film – that for me resonates as a journey culminating towards a flickering light and illumination at the end of a tunnel of heartbreaking solitude. The intimate, moody, futuristic and transcendent film, Death in Arizona.

LALIFF – Back in Community Effect

October 11, 2013October 11, 2013Christine DavilaLeave a comment

Last night was the Opening Night Screening and Gala of the 2013 Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival. Invoking it’s “Sweet Sixteen”, the tradition of celebrating an American Girl’s coming of age is appropriate even if technically, this would have been its 17th year, had it not taken last year’s hiatus. It’s appropriate all the same because this year’s program represents American (Latino) films AND a substantial amount of Latinas driving and depicting these stories. Newly instated Los Angeles mayor Eric Garcetti was on hand to give his blessing. The grandson of Chihuahua, Mexicans, his poetic remarks referring to Los Pobladores (the original mestizo settlers who founded LA in 1781) confirmed the passionate consciousness and respect he has for LA’s history. Edward James Olmos presented the Gabi Lifetime Achievement award to Pablo Ferro, a bohemian whose signature skinny long letters and influential film titles sequences on such films like Dr. Strangelove, Bullet, Russians Are Coming, BeetleJuice, Men In Black among countless others, established an art within the art of cinema’s first impression and tone.

2013-10-10 18.31.13 — This is Pablo Ferro

The documentary, Pablo handled by Shoreline Entertainment and directed by Richard Goldgewicht is an animated, whimsical treatment of the life and times of this consummate artist and original hipster. Folks like Angelica Huston, Andy Garcia, Leonard Maltin praise his genius, and narrated by The Dude, Jeff Bridges gives it an added air of deadpan wit, whose “This is Pablo” narrative conceit, strikes the tone of the bohemian Cuban born artist. Wearing his trademark red scarf, Pablo accepted his award without so many words but no matter, as the audience generously paid enthusiastic homage to one or our own being rightly commemorated. Also at long last given the deserving (posthumous) commemoration was La Madrina of the festival, the late great Lupe Ontiveros. Olmos made a point that even in her passing she changed the course of our community when her painful absence of the In Memoriam at the Oscars galvanized the Latino Academy members to rally and re-examine their presence within the organization. Olmos’s handsome rugged face, much like Robert Redford, transmits such grit & soul, add to it that wicked Zapata mustache and his Escalante personality that he never got rid of, when he closed by saying It’s time for the community to take charge” his onda was fully registered.

At the party across the street at the Wax Museum where the uncanny real life sized figures freak you out every time you feel you should turn around to introduce yourself (guests remarked where are my brown wax at!) I got a chance to see many of the US Latino filmmakers with films in the festival. From Jesse Salmeron and Jeremy Ray Valdez of Dreamer, Richard Montoya of Water & Power. I got a chance to catch up briefly with one of my esteemed mentors and friends who is also a LALIFF Advisor Sydney Levine of Sydneys Buzz on Indiewire. She is a treasure trove of insight and knowledge in the international film circuit and I cannot wait for her upcoming comprehensive book focusing on Latin American Cinema. Maria Agui Carter, NALIP member and filmmaker whose documentary on civil rights soldier Loreta Velazquez, Rebel screens in its full running time on Saturday at 3:10pm (The 52 minute version has been broadcasted on POV). Maria and I started to get into a passionate chat on women authored and women depicted stories. I’m pleased to find out there is a panel, Women and girls in Media Panel at 5:30pm today. We agreed that a candid and collaborative discussion needs to be had regarding these so called female empowered yet still sexually objectified characters (see Sofia Vergara’s ak47 tits in Machete Kills), and on how as women we need to deconstruct our stories in a different way, not so much replace roles men have traditionally had. Stories doing just that at the festival along with Rebel, are Maestra about Cuba’s National Literacy Campaign, a profile of the women who taught a nation to read and write, by Catherine Murphy. Colombian non-violent revolutionaries, in We Women Warriors by Nicole Karsin. On the dramatic front there is Nicole Gomez Fisher’s delightful comedy Sleeping with the Fishes and the DIY Venezuelan inspiring guapa/activist/filmmaker/vlogger/mother, Fanny Veliz who has written directed, produced and has been distributing her film Homebound.

laliff-opening4 — Eric Garcetti remarking on the flowers the Pobladores seeded 231 years ago

While LALIFF has had and continues to have many organization struggles and challenges, I’ve become so aware that one thing you can never take away from it, is the powerful sense and network of community. So many talent pursuing their craft have made connections, collaborated and grown in their careers as a result of hanging out at LALIFF. Someone should archive these fruitful connections as much as the films that have been shown. Further proof is the filmmaker who told me last night how he met someone he wants to cast in the film he is working on.

maria — Mi querida amiga Maria Oliva! Documentary filmmaker/photographer and LALIFF’er

My dance card is full this weekend before I head to Mexico on Monday. I’m in screening crunch mode for Sundance, but I’ll try to run down to the festival at the TLC Chinese 6 theaters when I can to write up another dispatch of films and filmmakers to watch. If you are in LA please do buy a ticket to support the Latino Film Institute and the next wave of Mas American talent. As with any festival your best bet for discovering emerging voices is the short film program. Go watch shorts The Shooting Star Salesman by Kiko Velarde, Llegar a Ti by Alejandro Torres, The Price we Pay by Jesse Garcia and El Cocodrilo by Steve Acevedo. Go to http://latinofilm.org/festival/ for full program and check them out on Twitter & Face

Mas Later

#MasAmerican

LA COCINA directed by Alonso Ruizpalacios

I’M YOUR VENUS directed by Kimberly Reed

JAZZY directed by Morrisa Maltz

Special Mention:

RENT FREE directed by Fernando Andrés

Receipts:

Talent to watch

Culinary Cruising

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THE CATEGORY IS BROWN EXCELLENCE

Yasmeen’s Element directed by Amman Abassi, written by Amman Abbasi, Jeffrey E. Stern, Sana Jafri

Doin’ It written by Lilly Singh, Sara Zandieh and Neel Patel, directed by Sara Zandieh

A Nice Indian Boy, written by Madhuri Shekar and Eric Randall, directed by Roshan Sethi

We Strangers written and directed by Anu Valia

Ben and Suzanne, A Reunion in 4 Parts, written and directed by Shaun Seneviratne

The Queen of My Dreams, written and directed by Fawzia Mirza

Wakhri written and directed by Iram Parveen Bilal

LATINX

Bob Trevino Likes It written and directed by Tracie Laymon

THE SIX

The In Between by Robie Flores

Musicá written by Rudy Mancuso and Dan Lagana, directed by Rudy Mancuso

Omni Loop written and directed by Bernardo Britto

Toll written and directed by Carolina Markovicz

Bionico’s Bachata written by Cristian Mojica and Yoel Morales, directed by Yoel Morales

Malta written and directed by Natalia Santa

SPECIAL SHOUT OUTS

Any Other Way: The Jackie Shane story, directed by Michael Mabbott and Lucah Rosenberg-Lee

We Were Dangerous written by Maddie Dai and directed by Josephine Stewart-Te Whiu.

Lastly, Gasoline Rainbow from the Russo bros.

DOES SXSW OWN A.I.?

LASTLY, TEXAS.

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FILMS: A few highlights. For the full list of cool crazy films that played go here

OPUNTAI

Manila Death Squad by Dean C. Marcial

[Cries in Spanish] By Giancarlo Loffredo

Body Heals by Annelise Ogaard

Great Choice by Robin Comisar

One Doggone Summer by Julian Yuri Rodriguez

Agua Viva by Alexa Haas

VIVA BORSCHT

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DOLORES AKA Woman in Motion directed by Peter Bratt

DINA directed by Antonio Santini and Dan Sickles

BEATRIZ AT DINNER directed by Miguel Arteta

LEMON written and directed by Janicza Bravo

KAIJU BUNRAKU directed by Jillian Mayer and Lucas Leyva

GOOD CRAZY written and directed by Rosa Salazar

GENTIFIED written and directed by Marvin Lemus

VICTOR Y ISOLINA by William Caballero

NEUROSPECULATIVE AFROFEMINISM

IF NOT LOVE by Rose Troche

OUT OF EXILE: DANIEL’S STORY by Nonny de la Peña

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LOWRIDERS directed by Ricardo de Montreuil, written by Elgin James and Cheo Hodari Coker.

LUPE UNDER THE SUN written and directed by Rodrigo Reyes

11:55 directed by Ben Snyder and Ari Issler, written by Victor Almanzar

72 HOURS in Brooklyn: A Love Story directed by Raafi Rivero, co-written with Bilal N’Dongo

ACTORS OF SOUND directed by Lalo Molina

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PET directed by Carles Torrens

OVARIAN PSYCOS directed by Joanna Sokolows and Kate Trumbull-LaValle

UNTITLED GHOST HOUSE THRILLER written and directed by Fede Alvarez

TRANSPECOS co-written and directed by Greg Kwedar

FROM NOWHERE co-written and directed by Matthew Newton

INSATIABLE directed by Brett A. Schwartz

SHORTS

THE SEND-OFF by Ivette Lucas and Patrick Bresnan

PHIL’S CAMINO directed by Jessica Lewis and Annie Oneil

International films

EAT MY SHIT written and directed by Eduardo Casanova

VICTOR XX written and directed by Ian Garrido Lopez.

SEMANA SANTA written and directed by Alejandra Marquez

UIO: TAKE ME FOR A RIDE co-written and directed by Micaela Rueda

KILL ME PLEASE written and directed by Anita Rocha da Silveira

DEAD SLOW AHEAD co-written and directed by Mauro Herce

JULES AND DOLORES cowritten and directed by Caito Ortiz

THE SPACE IN BETWEEN – Marina Abramovic and Brazil

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