2nd annual Latin American and Spanish film week coming to Cinecenta

Beyond the usual headlines-poverty, drug-related violence and political turmoil-Latin America is a thriving region in terms of cultural production. The second annual Latin American and Spanish Film Week brings to Victoria a fresh look on a variety of subjects-soccer, social justice, historical memory and romantic longing-as seen by a recent crop of talented directors from Latin America and Spain.

Each night for a week, a different country is represented, including films from Venezuela, Mexico, Chile, Brazil, Colombia, Argentina and Spain. Even the Rain (2010) by Ic&i#180;ar Bolla&i#180;n was Spain's official selection for Best Foreign Language Film at the 83rd Academy Awards and features internationally renowned Mexican actor Gael Garc&i#180;a Bernal. Set in Bolivia, it tells the story of two modern-day producers on a tight budget trying to shoot a period piece about Christopher Columbus. The movie-within-a-movie plot showcases not only the difficulties of the crew in finishing their film but brings to the fore the real-life struggle against the privatization of drinking water services in the city of Cochabamba.

Post Mortem (2009) by Pablo Larra&i#180;n draws on the legacy of the 1973 military coup by Pinochet against socialist president Salvador Allende. Larra&i#180;n focuses on the life of a clerk who works in the municipal morgue. The movie is of particular relevance given the recent autopsy report by the Chilean government that certified Allende's death as a suicide.

Sins of my Father (2009), a blend of personal testimony and historical commentary, is a documentary by Nicolás Entel about the infamous Colombian drug trafficker Pablo Escobar seen through the eyes of his adult son. The emotions, ironies and twists of fate of these films is just some of what is on offer for Victoria filmgoers during the second annual Latin American and Spanish Film Week taking place Sept. 19 to 25 at UVic's Cinecenta cinema.

"The event aims to raise consciousness about the social realities of Latin America and Spain, as well as to showcase the rich cultural production of these regions," says event coordinator and UVic professor Dr. Dan Russek (Hispanic and Italian studies). "By bringing these films to Victoria, we expect the audience to have a good time, of course, but we also hope to provoke the kind of reflection that good films usually foster."

The members of the organizing committee are Silvia Colás and Chrissie Forster (Hispanic and Italian studies), Paula Ceroni (Office of International Affairs) and student representative Cory Kreger. The event is organized by the Department of Hispanic and Italian Studies and is sponsored by UVic faculties of humanities and social sciences, the Division of Continuing Studies and the Office of Community Relations. The organizing committee also acknowledges the support of the Consulate General of Argentina in Toronto and the contributions of consultant Mr. Christian Sida-Valenzuela, Director of the Vancouver Latin American Film Festival.

All films will be shown with English subtitles. Showtimes are 7 and 9 p.m. Cost: $5.60 - $7.75 (regular admission fees). For full details, visit the cinema website.

Contact drussek@uvic.ca or 250-472-5455 for more info about this annual event.