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writing for godot

2017 San Diego Latino Film Festival End of Week

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Written by Mukul Khurana   
Monday, 27 March 2017 10:29

In continuation of the coverage of the 2017 San Diego Latino Film Festival going on in Fashion Valley, as it starts to slowly wind down…  The fun isn’t over yet (or rather, the romance isn’t…).  El Corazon Shorts (102 min.) deals with matters of the heart.  APOLO81 (Dir. Oscar Bernacer) on a first date, two strangers play the game of romance—literally…  Encuentro (Dir. Florencia Manovil) sometimes, a night out can result in a one-time encounter.  It doesn’t have to be physical.  Hong Kong (Dir. Alejandro Rocci) a young teenage couple spend some time apart.  When they see one another again, they have things to tell.

Luz de Dia (Dir. Mauricio Caleron Mora) Luisa has been working in an underground parking garage for a long time.  She hasn’t seen the light of day for a long time.  Hilario also works in the same garage.  They have a connection, but one of them doesn’t know it.  Normal (Dir. Vadim Lasca) Venezuela was in the throes of political upheavel.  In 2014, a former couple is on opposing sides.  Fabricio is a Chavista.  His ex-girlfriend is involved in an opposition riot.  She seeks refuge in his home.  In a different setting, can a relationship be renewed at a conference for renewable energy?  In Renewable (Dir. Jon Garaño), a female interpreter runs into her former partner who is participating as an attendee.

By far the most controversial short in the romance category is not technically a romantic story.  Instead, it borders the grey area that exists in the spectrum between love and hate.  Texican (Dir. Ally West) is the story of a couple—one from a Texan background and the other from a Mexican background.  The woman declares that her lover “smells like a beaner.”  An honest observation turns into an issue of contention.  And how could it be otherwise?  Wouldn’t you be offended?  On the other hand, these issues of race and race elations might need to be discussed openly if we are to move truly into a post-racial society.  On the other hand, it is worth noting that the audience did react defensively to the initial statement.

Two documentaries again showed the power of this art form to inform and entertain.  We have come a long way from boring classroom material.  Death by a Thousand Cuts (Dominican Republic/Haiti/USA, 73 min.) on the surface is about the brutal murder of a park ranger.  He was from the Dominican side of the border—killed by Haitian tree cutters.  But the doc then delves into history, border issues between the two countries, the illegal charcoal trade, deforestation, and the resulting conflict.  It is impossible not to learn about these two countries that share an island space.

Also on the topic of violence—how can it be confronted?  Ovarian Psychos (USA, 72 min.) follows a group of women who ride on the dangerous streets of East L.A. on their bicycles at night.  They do so in order to fight racism, violence, and injustice.  The interesting part about this work directed by Joanna Sokolowski and Kate Trumbull-LaValle is that it is a portrayal of activism combining feminist ideals, indigenous philosophy, and an urban sensibility.  The challenges of daily life are shown in an open manner.  It is hard to devote your life to activism.  It takes brave people.  This is the story of these kind of young women.

Un mundo extraño Shorts (91 min.)  One of the great joys of this festival was to see how far Mexican cinema has come vis-à-vis horror movies (shorts in this case)—though two of the six entries were from Uruguay.  Ascension (Dir. Samantha Pineda Sierra) is a stunning animated short from Mexico.  The depiction of Inferno City is graphic perfection.  In a society of devils and demons, a devil is about to change in a way that demons don’t like.  So, they set out to dispose of him…

Dejala Ir (Dir. Arie Socorro), also from Mexico, is the story of a young couple.  David, the husband wants to know about his bride’s past.  Maybe he shouldn’t have asked.  Devastacion (Dir. Abraham Sanchez) is a disturbing portrayal of a society gone rogue.  Tijuana has a problem with a pandemic.  So, the population is isolated and quarantined.  Excellent black and white footage (though excessively violent at times) show the excellence coming from our neighbor to the South.  Nite Time (Dir. Fernando Fisher) explores the sleep and dream states.  A woman is dreaming—or is she?

Elemental and Vengo Del Cielo (Dir. Marco Bentancor & Alejandro Rocchi), two shorts from Uruguay made for competitions come our way by way of the creative juices flowing by time pressure.  In the first short, a woman picks up two hitchhikers on a party run.  Her generosity knows no bounds.  But, it seems there is a price to be paid.  In the second short, two young women (also heading to a party) literally run into a strange man on the way.

El Eligido (Spain/Mexico, 120 min.) translates as “the chosen one.”  Indeed, this true story about an assassin sent to kill Trotzky was chosen and trained by Stalin’s secret service.  Acted with great verve by Alfonso Herrera, the famous and handsome telenovela star from Mexico was much in demand for pictures by his female fans.  He plays the part of Ramon Mercader, a Spanish born agent who was sent to Mexico after the Franco led conflict.  This true historical incident interestingly foreshadows many of the debates we are having today about fakes news and discussions about political ideology.

In a similar climate here, we are revisiting many of the same talking points.  Six years in the making, it is hard to believe that Antonio Chavarrias, the director, finished this movie in 2016 before things changed drastically here.  This intelligent film has it all—excellent production values, thrills, and historical authencity.  It is not a documentary but you will definitely end up learning a lot.  Another “must see.”  This film only played once at the festival.  Take any opportunity to catch it wherever you can.

Mukul Khurana has been writing about the art and culture scene in San Diego for over a decade.  He specializes in film and theater reviews as well as film festival coverage in general.

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