THE 11TH SYDNEY LATIN AMERICAN FILM FESTIVAL
BY MARK MORELLINI
The 11th Sydney Latin American Film Festival (SLAFF) is not only a celebration of Latino films, but more importantly it’s a cultural event which will entice festival enthusiasts with the unique foods, artists and music from these Latino countries.
Over the course of five days a program of 11 bold and diverse high quality films and six shorts from countries including Cuba, Mexico, Brazil and Argentina will be screened which should engage and challenge audiences.
“This festival initially only attracted first generation Latino audiences, but over the past 11 years the demographics have changed immensely. Younger people from different backgrounds who want to learn the languages and travel to these countries attend the festival,” explained festival programmer Gisselle Gallego.
This event has always been about community engagement and the traditional fiestas are an integral part of the festival. The opening night comedy sensation Jules and Dolores will be followed by a celebration of Soul, Funk and Samba 1970’s Brazilian style with Kriola Collective, a unique 10-piece band.
Legendary harpist Victor Valdes from Mexico, who has performed with Los Lobos and Jimmy Barnes and given concerts in 25 countries around the world (including over 20 performances in the Sydney Opera House), will be performing prior to the closing night film, Jeremy.
Film audiences have different tastes and the diverse selection of films should ensure there is something for everyone.
This year’s films largely have a focus on social issues. Filmmakers have moved away from the stereotyped characters and storylines and audiences should be mesmerised by the storytelling of the many first-time filmmakers.
“We all embrace one film and I’ve adopted Patient, a documentary from Colombia with universal themes which people from all over the world should relate to. This is the story about a mother’s battle to ensure that her daughter (who’s battling cancer) receives health care,” explained Gallego. “This documentary highlights the lack of empathy experienced and more importantly is an indictment of the bureaucracy of the Colombian health care system. This is a wakeup call – health care should be a right – not a commodity.”
This festival is a not-for-profit and ticket sales are injected into grassroots community projects. ”SLAFF has raised over $116,000 since 2006 in support of 26 development projects in Latin America and Australia. The monies raised from ticket sales have helped conquer poverty, unemployment and the acquiring of new trades so that the people can successfully support themselves,” enthused Gallego.
This year festival attendees have the chance of winning the Audience Award Prize – a return economy flight for two to Buenos Aires flying Air New Zealand, simply by completing the Audience Award form handed out after each session and ranking the film.
New at the festival is the inaugural Feature Film Jury Award. Films competing for this prestigious award are Jules and Dolores, Walking Distance, The Dreamer, Between Sea & Land and Road To La Paz. Blue Lucine is one of the three jury members privileged with the responsibility of selecting the best feature film. She is a writer, director and has a Graduate Diploma in Documentary among other accolades and is currently working on her first feature documentary.
“I’m very excited, but also feel the weight of responsibility. Being a filmmaker myself I know how challenging it is to even make a film, let alone a feature to be accepted into a festival, so you start by admiring all the films for that accomplishment,” explained Lucine.
She is very passionate in what constitutes an award-winning film. “A film has to move me. Plain and simple. I need to leave the cinema having changed in some way. Films have such power to impact their audiences – we are transported to another world. When a film can make you question yourself, your beliefs and your existence that’s what makes an award-winner. It’s the work that goes into it and the creativity and willingness to explore and take risks that gives the film a chance of winning.”
Lucine doesn’t believe that films with higher budgets and established casts necessarily have a higher chance of winning the prestigious award.
“A great story can be told by anyone if they have enough passion, and often it is easier to believe actors that are not well known, so no, I don’t feel that higher profile casting would have an impact on me. Similarly, films can move you no matter how much they cost to make, so the budget alone would not be an indicator of a more successful film. I’ve seen incredible films made on small budgets,” concluded Lucine.
HOT PICKS
Jules and Dolores (Brazil) – High comedy is unleashed in this box office hit which sees a gambler steal the legendary Jules Rimet Soccer World Cup Trophy to pay off his massive gambling debt and also to placate his vivacious girlfriend Dolores. With the marines and army searching for the trophy, will finding a buyer prove much harder than he first expected?
The Companion (Cuba) – To control the spread of the AIDS virus the Cuban authorities created a special sanatorium in 1986 which was under military guard. A suspended boxer who works in this medical facility as a companion to an infected patient dreams of becoming an Olympian. This drama about friendship and broken dreams stars popular Cuban singer Yoyuel Romero.
Elephant The Horse (Chile) – Before he dies, Lalo and Roberto’s grandfather sends them on a mission to save ‘Elephant’, his beloved horse from the slaughterhouse. When the horse is stolen, they embark on an adventure which sees them joining the circus. A charming family film headed by a charismatic young cast boasts comic book style animated sequences.
Your Parents Will Come Back (Uruguay) – In 1983, 154 children of Uruguayan political exiles were relocated to other countries. This moving documentary explores the profound effect the abandonment had on these children. Through interviews, family photographs and actual footage they recount their stories. Poignant and insightful.
Sept 8–12. Dendy Opera Quays, 9/2 East Circular Quay. $19-$52 (3 film pass). Bookings & info: sydneylatinofilmfestival.org
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