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Screen 6

6:00
El Chacotero Sentimental
Dir. Cristián Galaz
Chile, 1999, 90 min., Spanish with English subtitles, 35mm

Rumpy is an eccentric young radio host whose call-in program, "El Chacotero Sentimental," is the rage throughout all of Chile. His candid but humorous advice to the lovelorn strikes a chord with his listeners. It is business as usual as "El Chacotero Sentimental" takes on three callers who spill their hearts and inner thoughts for Rumpy and the whole of Chile to hear. But are these torrid tales of love affairs, family secrets and unusual circumstances really that unusual? For mature audiences.
Repeat Screening

8:00
La Ley de Herodes*
Dir. Luis Estrada
1999, Mexico, 120 min, Spanish WITHOUT English subtitles, 35mm

When the corrupt mayor of a remote Mexican village is killed in 1949, high-ranking PRI officials want Juan Vargas to be his replacement. He has the exact qualifications they're looking for: he's lazy, he lacks initiative, and he's not too bright. Rescued from his job as a garbage inspector, Juan Vargas quickly learns how to govern the PRI way in this hilarious black comedy about power, corruption and power lines. A magnificent example of the rise and fall of a low-level civil servant trying to make the most (money) out of his inauspicious position.
Repeat Screening

10:00
Un Paraiso Bajo las Estrellas
Dir. Gerardo Chijona
Cuba, 1999, 90 min., Spanish with English subtitles, 35mm

Another film from the director of Adorables Mentiras (also screening this year), this riotous farce is a tribute to the Tropicana, the legendary Havana nightclub that was a favorite of Hollywood's elite, musicians and international playboys. This film is a quietly layered satire goes down with the sweetness of a mojito. But alongside the broad humor and the musical numbers, Chijona always brandishes a sharp wit, serving up observations about politics, class and racism with a light touch. Some characters want to leave the Tropicana, others are dying to get in. But it is here that they lose their identity, tangle with love, triumph over adversity. For mature audiences.
Repeat Screening

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5:00
El Amateur
Dir. Juan Bautista Stagnaro
Argentina, 1999, 92 min., Spanish with English subtitles, 35mm

Life offers little more than insults and alcohol for outcast Pájaro and his best friend Lopecito, who pulls a shift at the local slaughterhouse. In a town that chips away at their dignity, the two friends decide to reclaim their self-respect by getting into the Guinness Book of World Records. Armed with only his trusty bicycle and Lopecito's encouragement, Pájaro resolves to take a crack at the record for continuous cycling. But can he overcome his own physical and emotional obstacles to achieve his goal? There's nothing riding on this challenge except acceptance, glory and redemption. For mature audiences.
Repeat Screening

7:00
Bread and Roses
Dir. Ken Loach
UK/Germany/Spain 2000 110 min., English & Spanish with English subtitles, 35mm

When Maya arrives in Los Angeles to live with her sister, she expects to find a decent job and a better life than the one she knew in Mexico. She hardly suspects when she takes a low-paying janitorial position in a downtown high-rise, however, that she will soon take part in a brave struggle for dignity and equality for herself and others. Renowned British filmmaker Ken Loach (My Name is Joe, Land and Freedom) offers an inspirational story of life, liberty and labor organizing that could be taken from today's headlines. Breathtaking performances and skillful dramatic realism. For mature audiences.
Repeat Screening

9:30
Amores Perros
Dir. Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu
Mexico, 2000, 153 min., Spanish with English subtitles, 35mm

Life proves to be a bitch indeed in this electrifying film that deftly uses a pair of dogs and an auto accident to weave together three disparate tales of woe and lost love in Mexico City. Riveting and provocative, this film brims with the urban grit, passion and incredible cinematography that are the hallmarks of contemporary Mexican cinema. Ironic, cruel and all-too human, "Amores Perros" takes its characters on a wild trip through the seedy underbelly of the largest city in the world. It's a dog's life. For mature audiences.
Repeat Screening

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		Split Decision.

5:30
La Nube
Dir. Fernando Solanas
Argentina, 1998, 116min., Spanish with English subtitles, 35mm

A dark cloud has been looming over Buenos Aires for 1,600 consecutive days. Somewhere beneath this storm, a struggling theater troupe endures lack of government support, power outages, and the oncoming construction of a shopping mall, which threatens to bulldoze right over their tiny but independent playhouse. All they have is their passion for their art and their "the show must go on" attitude to try to stop the demolition crew from destroying their livelihood. For mature audiences.

7:30
Split Decision
Dir. Marcy Garriott
United States, 2000, 75 min., Spanish with English subtitles, 35mm

Jesus Chavez is a promising young boxer from Chicago who faces tough challenges both inside and outside the ring. In this insightful documentary, we see how one small fact and an impersonal legal system conspired to thwart this man's dream. When Jesus Chavez was seventeen, he committed an armed robbery that led to a conviction. After serving his time, Chavez gave up the mean streets in exchange for the ring, showing potential to become world class boxer. But because he was born in Mexico, strict immigration law required that he be deported back to a country he had not seen since he was seven. A moving American story.

9:45
Desi's Looking For a New Girl
Dir. Mary Guzman
U.S.A., 2000, 85 min., English, 16mm

Desi del Valle has girl trouble. Her girlfriend has just dumped her for a younger woman, and now she must go through mourning and get back into circulation before her friends and family drive her crazy in their quest to set her up with "the perfect girl." Set in San Francisco's Latino and queer communities, this film offers an upbeat look at friendships, relationships and everything in between. Tag along with Desi on a series of emotional roller coaster rides and hilarious blind date disasters as she negotiates her way as a single gay Latina looking for love. For mature audiences.

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6:00
El Entusiasmo
Dir. Ricardo Larraín
Chile, 1999, 116 min., Spanish with English subtitles, 35mm

It has been more than a decade since Isabel, Fernando and Guillermo became friends resisting the military dictatorship of General Pinochet. But as the three look back on their lives, they wonder whether they were right to give up their vision of a utopian society in exchange for a comfortable place in the capitalist marketplace. Fernando and Isabel have embarked on a bilingual real estate/tourism venture, while Guillermo makes a living selling phony reports to foreign news networks. What happened to their ideals and their dream of an Independent Republic? For mature audiences.
Repeat Screening

8:00
Ciudad de M
Dir. Felipe Degregori
Peru, 2000,100 min., Spanish with English subtitles, 35mm

For a group of friends in Lima, the formula of soccer, drugs and rock and roll has gotten them through life just fine. But that is all about to change when their ideal of easy living with little effort is put to a serious test. How will they maintain their lifestyle of discos and drink in a society where half of the population is under twenty-five and jobs are scarce? How far will their youthful dreams and rebellion take them in the real world? A life of crime or a low paying job? What real choice do they have? For mature audiences.

10:00
Gemeas
dir. Andrucha Waddington
Brazil, 1999, 75 min., Portuguese with English subtitles, 35mm

The story takes place in the early 1980’s in a middle class suburb of Rio de Janeiro: identical twins Iara and Marilena (Fernanda Torres) are always playing tricks on men, passing themselves off as each other, which drives their father crazy (Dr. Jorge, played by Francisco Cuoco). Marilena is a biologist, Iara a seamstress like their mother (Fernanda Montenegro). One day, Marilena meets Osmar (Evandro Mesquita), who runs a driving school, and they fall in love at first sight. However, Iara falls for him too and decides to start seducing her sister’s boyfriend behind her back: in order to do so, she has to pretend to be Marilena during secret meetings. The suspense, which is masterfully underlined by American composer Michelle DiBucci’s compelling music, grows in a geometrical crescendo right through to the movie’s last minute: a surprise ending which shocks both poor Osmar and, above all, the audience.

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5:00
Rito Terminal
Dir. Oscar Urrutia Lazo
Mexico, 2000, 110 min., Spanish with English subtitles, 35mm

A young photographer loses his shadow during an indigenous spiritual ceremony. His personal convictions are put to the test as he embarks on a mystical journey to recapture what he has lost. Abandoning city life in order to travel with the Indians and learn their ways, the photographer inherits an acute awareness that allows him to perceive the world around him from a new perspective. But first he must accept the loss of his shadow before he can reclaim it. A thought-provoking drama revealing the intense contrast between western and indigenous cultures. For mature audiences.
Repeat Screening

7:00
Ave María
Dir. Eduardo Rossoff
1999, Mexico, 102 min., Spanish with English subtitles, 35mm

The year is 1659, and life is about to change for María Inez, a beautiful and intelligent mestiza woman. When her father, the Duke of Cadiz, dies suddenly, young María is forced to give up her privileged life of reading and learning. Found guilty of the crime of pride by the jealous local clergy, she is obliged to lead a life of humility and subservience. Stripped of everything but her indomitable will, María strikes a bargain with Father Serra which wins her freedom and allows her to help save a local Indigenous tribe from the deadly Pox. It also makes her some dangerous enemies. For mature audiences.

9:30
Pantaleón y las Visitadoras*
Dir. Francisco Lombardi
Peru, 1999, 135 min., Spanish WITHOUT English subtitles, 35mm

Pantaleón Pantoja is a captain in the Peruvian army and a happily married man who is renowned for his fidelity to his wife. This is exactly why his superiors choose him to escort a group of prostitutes through the Amazonian jungle to relieve some soldiers at a remote military post. Pantoja starts the journey with the strictest honor and discipline, but after all, the jungle is known for being hot and steamy. An exotic and witty military satire based on a novel by the Peruvian writer Mario Vargas Llosa. For mature audiences.
Repeat Screening

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5:30
A la Media Noche y Media
Dirs. Mariana Rondon and Marite Ugas
Venezuela, 1999, 90 min., Spanish with English subtitles, 35mm

A city in Latin America is under threat of a groundswell. The roads are packed with the entire populace trying to escape. The city is deserted, except for three people who are left behind. The three come to realize that the city is merely a giant game board with people as the pieces. It is a game designed to break the routine and end the loneliness of being unable to enter into real meaningful relationships. The only rules are the ones they devise. Even the cinematography is a player in this bizarre game, evolving even as the characters do. For mature audiences.
Repeat Screening

7:30
Caracas, Amor a Muerte
Dir. Gustavo Balza
Venezuela - France, 2000, 91 min., Spanish with English subtitles, 35mm

Aixa is not the first teenager to get pregnant in Venezuela, but for her this unexpected situation sets forward a series of events that will put her in conflict with everyone she knows. Should she have the abortion or keep the baby? Neither the baby's violent father nor the parish priest seem to care what she thinks about the matter. Her grandmother has other opinions. Aixa's own indecision keeps the debate alive. Science and religion square off in this engaging film about a teenage girl, her body and her baby. For mature audiences.

9:45
El Desquite
Dir. Andrés Wood
Chile, 1999, 120 min., Spanish with English subtitles, 35mm

This classic melodrama is filled with all the prerequisites: seduction, passion, rejection, and most importantly...revenge! When Anita's family is killed in a terrible flood, her godparents send her to live with the wealthy but sickly Lucía and her husband Don Pablo. When Anita is 15, Lucía dies, and she soon develops a relationship with Don Pablo. When Don Pablo gets Anita pregnant and then has designs on her friend, Anita finds a way to settle the score. For mature audiences.
Repeat Screening

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6:00
La Sonámbula
Dir. Fernando Spiner
Argentina, 1998, 105 min., Spanish with English subtitles, 35mm

In this chilling science fiction film from Argentina, an experimental psychic weapon misfires and erases the memories of hundreds of thousands of Buenos Aires citizens. To deal with the huge amnesiac population, the government imposes a mandatory recovery program by which people are provided with new memories, families, homes and careers. When a resistance surfaces, led by a mysterious figure named Gauna, the government reprograms two amnesiacs to find and kill the mysterious rebel. Reminiscent of films like Brazil, THX 1138, Blade Runner and Metropolis. A frightening but all-too-plausible vision of a not-so-distant future. For mature audiences.
Repeat Screening

8:00
Moises Ville
Dir. Antonio Ottone
Argentina, 2000, 90 min., Spanish with English subtitles, 35mm

This inspiring film tells the true story of a group of Jewish immigrants who flee to Argentina in 1889. Driven by strength, determination and a love of the land, the Petcoff family struggles to build a new community in a foreign country. As the years pass, and they adapt to their new home, their youngest son is forced to choose between the family's idyllic farm life and the promise of becoming an actor in modern metropolitan Buenos Aires. Will pride destroy the happiness and home they worked so hard to achieve? For mature audiences.

10:00
Lágrimas Negras
Dir. Sonia Herman Dolz
Cuba-Netherlands, 1997, 75 min., Spanish with English subtitles, 35mm

This intimate and inspiring documentary captures the musical lives of the five "Godfathers of Salsa" known as the Vieja Trova Santiaguera. Preserving their culture, traditions and patriotism through the acoustic rhythms of the Cuban "son," these men, ranging in age from 60 to 90, share their memories, loves, wisdom and music with the world. Whether playing in their living rooms or in sold out concert halls, these men show us how to live life to the fullest as they embark on a five-month tour of Europe.
Repeat Screening

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5:00
Ratas, Ratones, Rateros
Dir. Sebastián Cordero
Ecuador, 1999, 107 min., Spanish with English subtitles, 35mm

In this soberingly accurate depiction of juvenile delinquency in Latin America's urban centers, a young petty thief named Salvador begins a journey towards a more serious criminal life. Salvador's cousin Angel, a jaded ex-convict who is desperate for quick cash, enlists Salvador in a series of questionable get-rich-quick schemes. The more Salvador participates in Angel's scams, the more he understands how easy it is for a person to be seduced and corrupted by the mean streets of the city. A gritty and powerful view of desperate living in Ecuador. For mature audiences.

7:00
Asi Es la Vida
Dir. Arturo Ripstein
Mexico, 2000, 35mm, 98 min., Spanish with English subtitles, 35mm

Renowned Mexican filmmaker Arturo Ripstein updates the classic Greek tragedy of Medea into this stylish and magnificently crafted film about a woman scorned. Written by long-time Ripstein collaborator Paz Alicia Garcíadiego, "Asi Es La Vida" tells the story of Julia, a woman trying to make ends meet by practicing alternative medicine in the poor part of town. When the sleazy landlord's daughter steals her husband and then presents her with an eviction notice, Julia is racked with pain and sadness. But when her husband makes the mistake of taking their two children with him, Julia embarks on a remarkable transformation that turns her suffering into the fuel for a bold and decisive action. An epic tale of betrayal and revenge set in a boarding house of broken dreams. For mature audiences.
Repeat Screening

9:30
Rito Terminal
Dir. Oscar Urrutia Lazo
Mexico, 2000, 110 min., Spanish with English subtitles, 35mm

A young photographer loses his shadow during an indigenous spiritual ceremony. His personal convictions are put to the test as he embarks on a mystical journey to recapture what he has lost. Abandoning city life in order to travel with the Indians and learn their ways, the photographer inherits an acute awareness that allows him to perceive the world around him from a new perspective. But first he must accept the loss of his shadow before he can reclaim it. A thought-provoking drama revealing the intense contrast between western and indigenous cultures. For mature audiences.

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		Crónica de un Desayuno.

5:30
Cortos de America Latina (16mm & 35mm, shorts, 107 min.)

Excesos de la Ciudad
Mexico, 2000, 3 min., 16mm
Dir. Jorge Luquin
An engaging short film depicting the shocking plight of street performers in Mexico City. Starring popular Mexican film actor Roberto Sosa (SDLFF 1998: Fibra Optica).

Muy Lejos de Aqui
Dir. Juan Alejandro
Peru, 1999, 42 min., 16mm, Spanish with English subtitles
The camera can be seen in the rearview of a car driving on the dusty desert highway along the Peruvian coast. It symbolically catches the director behind the eyepiece and observes a broad empty space which rushes to the sides, trying to escape the center; the present, which at the same time represents memory, both here, and yet far from here...

Cedula Ciudadano
Dir. Diego Velasco
Venezuela / U.S.A., 2000, 24 min., 35mm, Spanish with English subtitles
This film narrates the adventures and obstacles of the bureaucratic world that Gustavo Perez has to over come in order to get his new ID and register for Military Service. In a third world bureaucratic government office anything can happen...

Reanimación
Dir. Cesar Peña-Samuel Restucci
Chile, 2000, 7 min., 35mm
This film shows the work of one year and a half of drawing. It is a very experimental and free-flowing film, with lots of vibratand colors and movement. Filmed in 16mm, Reanimación tells the ironic story of an old man who tries to be evil.

La Toma
Dir. Sebastian Wainstein
Argentina, 2000, 30 min., Video, Spanish with English subtitles
After finding out that his scene was cut out of the new film, Roberto, an unemployed actor obsessed with trying to be like Robert De Niro, kidnaps the first-time director. La Toma is an entertaining film about the uncertainties and dangers of working in the film industry.

7:30
El Desquite
Dir. Andrés Wood
Chile, 1999, 120 min., Spanish with English subtitles, 35mm

This classic melodrama is filled with all the prerequisites: seduction, passion, rejection, and most importantly...revenge! When Anita's family is killed in a terrible flood, her godparents send her to live with the wealthy but sickly Lucía and her husband Don Pablo. When Anita is 15, Lucía dies, and she soon develops a relationship with Don Pablo. When Don Pablo gets Anita pregnant and then has designs on her friend, Anita finds a way to settle the score. For mature audiences.

9:45
Blossoms of Fire
Dirs. Maureen Gosling & Ellen Osborne
U.S.A., 2000, 74 min., Spanish with English subtitles, 35mm

Mexican writers and artists such as Frida Kahlo, Miguel Covarrubias and Elena Poniatowska have long championed the women of Juchitán, Mexico, a Zapotec community which is run under a centuries-old matriarchal system. Veteran film editor and Les Blank collaborator Maureen Gosling and co-director Ellen Osborne have crafted an illuminating documentary about the women of Juchitán and the men who love them. Celebrated for their independence and tolerance, the women of Juchitán offer their views of life, liberty and the dominant society which constantly stereotypes them. "Blossoms of Fire" shows them in all their glory as they preserve their culture and embroider the signature fiery blossoms that adorn their clothing.

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6:00
La Cara del Angel
Dir. Pablo Torre

Argentina, 1998, 93 min., Spanish with English subtitles. 35mm

Between 1976 and 1983, more than 30,000 people disappeared or were killed as part of the National Process of Reorganization in Argentina. This powerful film tells the story of Nicolás, a boy who witnesses his mother's death and then must flee with his aunt for his life. After being enrolled in a private Catholic school where most of the children's parents are in the military, Nicolás begins to notice how the national wave of fascist cruelty and violence is manifest among the students themselves. A moving tale of one boy's resistance and remembrance. For mature audiences.

8:00
Chuck & Buck
Dir. Miguel Arteta
U.S.A., 1999, 96 min., English, 35mm

Buck is twenty-seven years old, but he is stuck in a childhood that he wishes he could get back to. When his mother dies suddenly, he must come face to face with the real world. To Buck, that means getting in touch with his childhood best friend Chuck, who is now a record executive in Los Angeles. When the naive Buck suggests to Chuck that they play an old childhood game, both men are forced to confront an episode in their lives which started out innocently, but left them each deeply affected. A fascinating study of innocence, redemption and growth by Miguel Arteta, the director of Star Maps. Starring Lupe Ontiveros in an award-winning role. Shown as part of the Lupe Ontiveros Tribute. For mature audiences.

10:00
Pantaleón y las Visitadoras
Dir. Francisco Lombardi
Peru, 1999, 135 min., Spanish WITHOUT English subtitles, 35mm

Pantaleón Pantoja is a captain in the Peruvian army and a happily married man who is renowned for his fidelity to his wife. This is exactly why his superiors choose him to escort a group of prostitutes through the Amazonian jungle to relieve some soldiers at a remote military post. Pantoja starts the journey with the strictest honor and discipline, but after all, the jungle is known for being hot and steamy. An exotic and witty military satire based on a novel by the Peruvian writer Mario Vargas Llosa. For mature audiences.

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5:00
La Carnada
Dir. Marianne Eyde
Peru, 1999, 103 min., Spanish with English subtitles, 35mm

María's life is as unpredictable as the sea. As a baby she was found abandoned and floating on a raft. She even learned to fish in the traditional ways like the men in her village. But just when she thinks everything is smooth sailing, her husband joins up with a modern industrial fishing outfit. María tries to keep her dreams alive despite the hardship and loneliness of being apart from her husband while he is away at sea for long expeditions. For mature audiences.

7:00
Crónica de un Desayuno
Dir. Benjamín Cann
Mexico, 2000, 120 min., Spanish with English subtitles, 35mm

In this deliciously kinky film which takes place in the wee hours of a Mexico City morning, long-absent Pedro returns to preside over his seriously bent family. But while Pedro is occupied with making love to his wife, their children Blanca, Teo and Marcos have different ideas about their father's return. Meanwhile, the neighbors are up to their own devices in a wickedly funny and highly-charged erotic drama that involves a set of electric trains. This stylish film explores love at its extremes and sex at its most poetically inventive. For mature audiences.
Repeat Screening

9:30
Todo el Poder
Dir. Fernando Sarinana
1999, Mexico, 102 min., Spanish with English subtitles, 35mm

After director Fernando Sariñana was robbed at gunpoint in Mexico City for the fourth time, he decided to fight back. His weapon is this powerful and riveting thriller which takes a hard look at police corruption in Mexico and the bands of ruthless criminals who operate with virtual impunity. A runaway hit in Mexico, this brave film dares to portray urban police in Mexico City as amoral profiteers who benefit from the perpetual crime wave that engulfs the capital. An intense story of how one man fights back with his wits, his video camera and some help from his friends. For mature audiences.

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		Amores Perros.

12:30
Los Maestros: Tito y Limon
(Video, documentaries, 110 min.)

Limón: A Life Beyond Words
Dir. Malachi Roth
U.S.A., 2001, 65 min., Video, Documentary, English

This documentary celebrates the life and work of the Mexican-American choreographer José Limon. The filmmakers drew their inspiration from Limón's own statement: "All choreography is autobiographical, whether one intends it or not." The video looks at Limon's work in the context of the times in which he lived and his own life. Limón is portrayed as a man who mediated his bi-cultural conflicts through his art. As a choreographer he was unafraid of major issues -- religion, colonialism, love, jealousy, betrayal and death -- themes which are as relevant to audiences today as when Limón first grappled with them.

Tito Puente: The King of Latin Music
Dir. George Rivera
U.S.A., 2000, 45 min., Video, Documentary, English

Of the many musicians who have contributed to the development and popularization of Latin music throughout the world, probably none is more recognized than the man known simply as "The King". Those who knew him best and loved him most - his family, friends, and colleagues - tell the story of the late Tito Puente in this one-hour tribute, already over a year in the making at the time of his death in May 2000. In April 2000, George Rivera Productions recorded in Puerto Rico Tito's last on-camera interview and live performance. Among the celebrities sharing their memories are Bill Cosby, Marc Anthony, Armand Assante, Geraldo Rivera, Jimmy Smits, Johnny Pacheco and Paquito D'Rivera.

2:30
Latina Portraits (Video, documentaries, 134 min.)

Anita Velez: Dancing Through Life
Dir. Jane Velez-Mitchell
U.S.A., 2000, 32 min., Video, Documentary, English
Spurred by her father's untimely death, Los Angeles television news anchor Jane Velez-Mitchell turns the camera on herself in a three-year journey to gain insight into her relationship with her mother. Jane hopes to learn how Anita Velez, a Puerto Rican former circus and vaudeville performer, now in her 80s, has managed to continue literally "dancing through life." Jane, trying to piece together a mysterious past, takes her mother back in time to a place that sheds light on family secrets and helps Jane come to terms with her own life.

I was Born a Black Woman
Dirs. Maria Luisa Mendonça & Vicente Franco
U.S.A., 1999, 44 min., Video, Documentary, Portuguese with English subtitles
A documentary about race in Brazil, based on the remarkable life of Benedita da Silva, the first Afro-Brazilian woman in the Brazilian Senate. This is a dynamic tale of suffering, hard work and redemption. Benedita grew up in the slums of Rio, started work at age seven and gained stature for herself and her community through education, faith in God and community organizing. In telling her humorous and passionate story, she sings, laughs, cries, recites her poetry and makes speeches. Her tour of Afro-Brazil includes stunning visuals, lively music and dance, umbanda religion, youth culture and a Carnival tribute to Bene, Pele, Mandela and Martin Luther King.

Dita and the Family Business
Dir. Josh Taylor
U.S.A., 1999, 58 min., 16mm, Documentary, English
A film about the family behind the legendary New York City Department store Bergdorf-Goodman. Directed by the grandson of the late Andrew Goodman, the film deals often humorously, with international relationships, while rendering a colorful history of this unique 20th Century American family. In particular, the filmmaker focuses his film on his grandmother --the charismatic and enigmatic Nena Goodman (A.K.A. "Dita") -- the matriarch of the family. Using over sixty years of his family's home movies, Taylor shows us the origins of the family business and its innovative founder Edwin Goodman, as well as his playboy son Andrew --who, against his father's wishes, goes off to Cuba to marry an exotic Cuban Catholic divorceé (Nena).

5:30
The American Tapestry
Dirs. Gregory Nava and Barbara Martinez
U.S.A., 2000, 90 min., English, Video

Since he burst onto the scene with his moving and internationally-acclaimed debut "El Norte," Gregory Nava has crafted personal yet epic films that champion the human spirit. Nava and filmmaker Barbara Martinez continue that tradition with five stories about the immigrant experience in today's America. "The American Tapestry" follows the uplifting and challenging journeys of five immigrant families as they search for the elusive American Dream. Experiencing both triumph and tragedy, the five families set on different paths looking for a destination that has become the modern Eldorado. A complex portrait of a nation at the turn of the century.

7:30
"Resurrection Blvd." Tribute
Co-presented by Latin Heat: The Latino Entertainment Industry Trade Publication.

Join SDLFF 2001 as we pay tribute to the stars and creators of the hit Showtime series Resurrection Blvd. Resurrection Blvd. is the entertainment industry's first major Latino-themed series to be produced, written and directed by Latinos. Meet the creators, actors and view two episodes of this cutting edge contemporary drama, focusing on the East L.A.-based Santiagos, a proud and volatile family with a long legacy of professional boxing. The show co-stars Tony Plana (El Norte, Salvador), Elizabeth Peña (Lone Star, La Bamba), Michael DeLorenzo (Mi Familia, Fame), Maurico Mendoza, Ruth Livier and Nicholas Gonzalez (My Little Assassin, Undressed).

9:45
Blasphemy
Dir. John Mendoza
U.S.A., 2000, 90 min., English, Video

Martin Garcia has a secret. Not only does he want to share it with his conservative Catholic parents, but he wants to reveal it to his entire family at Christmas. Can it be true? What his parents most feared? Yes! Martin is an atheist, and he's proud of it. Can his family save him from this blasphemy? You can bet they'll try like hell in this witty look at how far a family will go to redeem their son's wayward soul. Martin soon realizes that his family wants to save him...even if it kills him. For mature audiences.

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1:30
El Entusiasmo
Dir. Ricardo Larraín
Chile, 1999, 116 min., Spanish with English subtitles, 35mm

It has been more than a decade since Isabel, Fernando and Guillermo became friends resisting the military dictatorship of General Pinochet. But as the three look back on their lives, they wonder whether they were right to give up their vision of a utopian society in exchange for a comfortable place in the capitalist marketplace. Fernando and Isabel have embarked on a bilingual real estate/tourism venture, while Guillermo makes a living selling phony reports to foreign news networks. What happened to their ideals and their dream of an Independent Republic? For mature audiences.

3:30
Botín de Guerra
Dir. David Blaustein
Argentina, 1999, 112 min., Spanish with English subtitles, 35mm

This provocative documentary follows the tragic stories of the women of Plaza de Mayo as they continue to search for their children who were taken by Argentinean government forces during the country's repressive military dictatorship, which began in 1976. Witness their almost unbearable pain as they long to love, hold and know their children. Their stories of reconnecting with their children by trying to track down their grandchildren are both inspiring and helpful. A nation's cry for answers to painful lingering questions. For mature audiences.

6:00
Adorables Mentiras
Dir. Gerardo Chijona
Cuba 1992, 100 min., Spanish with English subtitles, 35mm

Set in contemporary Cuba, this Almodovaresque black comedy tells the story of two ordinary people who meet at a movie premiere and adopt glamorous new identities in order to impress each other. Will beautiful "starlet" Sissy find out that handsome Jorge Luis is not the hot new director he claims to be? Will true romance bloom for this mismatched pair? What will their spouses say? Outrageous and exuberant, "Adorables Mentiras" is a celebration of dreams, desires and the sometimes dangerously thin line between who we are and who we would like to be. Starring Isabel Santos, Luis Alberto García, Mirtha Ibarra, Thais Valdés. For mature audiences.

8:00
Un Paraiso Bajo las Estrellas
Dir. Gerardo Chijona
Cuba, 1999, 90 min., Spanish with English subtitles, 35mm

Another film from the director of Adorables Mentiras (also screening this year), this riotous farce is a tribute to the Tropicana, the legendary Havana nightclub that was a favorite of Hollywood's elite, musicians and international playboys. This film is a quietly layered satire goes down with the sweetness of a mojito. But alongside the broad humor and the musical numbers, Chijona always brandishes a sharp wit, serving up observations about politics, class and racism with a light touch. Some characters want to leave the Tropicana, others are dying to get in. But it is here that they lose their identity, tangle with love, triumph over adversity. For mature audiences.

10:00
Todo el Poder
Dir. Fernando Sariñana
1999, Mexico, 102 min., Spanish with English subtitles, 35mm

After director Fernando Sariñana was robbed at gunpoint in Mexico City for the fourth time, he decided to fight back. His weapon is this powerful and riveting thriller which takes a hard look at police corruption in Mexico and the bands of ruthless criminals who operate with virtual impunity. A runaway hit in Mexico, this brave film dares to portray urban police in Mexico City as amoral profiteers who benefit from the perpetual crime wave that engulfs the capital. An intense story of how one man fights back with his wits, his video camera and some help from his friends. For mature audiences.

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1:00
Abuelas, Amores y Trampas (16mm & 35mm, shorts, 101 min.)

Ah! Silenciosa
Dir. Marcos Cline-Márquez
U.S.A., 2000, 16 min., 16mm, U.S.A.
In December of 1913, American short story novelist Ambrose Bierce disappeared into revolution torn Mexico. This film is one theory behind Bierce's disappearance and death, where famed Mexican revolutionary Pancho Villa sentences Bierece and his new found love, Andrea, to death by hanging.

The Addict
U.S.A., 1991, 40 min, 16mm, English
A character study of an adolescent's psychological addiction to firearms and the dangerous feeling of power he obtains as his addiction grows. This short film tells the story of Rolando, a sixteen year old Latino boy, who after the death of his father and being the only male left in his family, tries to fill his father's shoes as the sole protector of his mother and older sister, so he buys a gun. As a result, he develops a need for bigger and more lethal weapons.

Abuela's Revolt
Dir. Cruz Angeles
U.S.A., 2000, 12 min., 16mm, English and Spanish with English subtitles
This short film is about a young boy, Milo, who is embarrassed to walk to school with his over-protective grandmother. The day Milo rebels and walks home alone, he is wrongly accused of stealing from a nearby grocery store. Milo goes home running scared, trying to hide what happened from grandma but is unsuccessful. When abuela finds out she drags him back to the store and all hell breaks loose.

Learning to Swim
Dir. Christopher Olness
U.S.A., 2000, 19 min., 35mm, English
A dramatic action packed short film, Learning to Swim is the story of Guillermo, who witnesses the tragic drowning of his younger brother Roberto. Devastated, Guillermo vows to never swim again. But when a strange circumstance occurs and Hank, the school bully gets stuck underwater, Guillermo must make the biggest decision of his life. Should he jump in the water that took his brother's life to save the bully who he wishes were dead? The film stars Yareli Arizmendi (Like Water for Chocolate) and Alexis Cruz (Stargate, Touched by an Angel).

Fly Trap
Dir. Miles Kahn
U.S.A., 2000, 12 min., 35mm, English
A sexy comedy about Roger, a young queens native unable to master the language of his beautiful Latina classmate, the object of his desire. His sultry Spanish teacher, with a lesson plan of her own, seduces Roger in a series of private sessions which teach him all the wrong moves.

3:00
Manos, Ojitos y Fantasmas (16mm & 35mm, shorts, 99 min.)

El Muro
Mexico, 1998, 6 min., 35mm
Dir. Sergio Arau
A wide desert landscape. A man is happily walking along. A wall crosses his way. He examines it, touches it, hits it, kicks it, screams at it...the war is on. He tries every way he can think of to walk through it. Unsuccessful, he gives up, crying and pondering his situation. The camera pulls away and we discover there are simpler ways to make it to the other side, where another surprise awaits us...

Knowing
Dir. Alan Jonsson
U.S.A., 2000, 15 min., 35mm, English
An older man is haunted by a gypsy from his past who predicted the exact date of his death.

Conejo
Dir. Francisco Vargas Quevedo
Mexico, 1999, 17 min., 35mm, Spanish with English subtitles
A sweet, playful film in which a little boy comes to possess magic powers.

Ojitos Mentirosos
Dir. Humberto Hernández
Mexico, 1999, 20 min., 35mm, Spanish with English subtitles
Life is all that which kills us and gives us pleasure.

Nao Fique Pilhado (Don't Get Charged Up! )
Dir. Joao Amorim
Brazil, 2000, 4 min., 35mm
An entertaining short film with a big environmental message. Utilizing stunning computer animation, the filmmakers remind us of the hazards that batteries may cause to our environment.

Manos Libres
Dir. Tomás Welss
Chile, 2000, 17 min., 35mm
A lonely woman, though surrounded by her kids, drives rapidly in her car. Connected to her mobile telephone, she tries to solve everything, not realizing that reality is already out of control.

Becoming American
Dir. Andres Nicolini
U.S.A., 2000, 15 min., 16mm, English
Alone, a newly arrived immigrant comes to New York City to take his first steps toward an uncertain future, and unexpectedly embarks on a journey to self-discovery. This short film is about having faith, being yourself and being born again.

5:00
A la Media Noche y Media
Dirs. Mariana Rondon and Marite Ugas
Venezuela, 1999, 90 min., Spanish with English subtitles, 35mm

A city in Latin America is under threat of a groundswell. The roads are packed with the entire populace trying to escape. The city is deserted, except for three people who are left behind. The three come to realize that the city is merely a giant game board with people as the pieces. It is a game designed to break the routine and end the loneliness of being unable to enter into real meaningful relationships. The only rules are the ones they devise. Even the cinematography is a player in this bizarre game, evolving even as the characters do. For mature audiences.

7:00
Amores Perros
Dir. Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu
Mexico, 2000, 153 min., Spanish with English subtitles, 35mm

Life proves to be a bitch indeed in this electrifying film that deftly uses a pair of dogs and an auto accident to weave together three disparate tales of woe and lost love in Mexico City. Riveting and provocative, this film brims with the urban grit, passion and incredible cinematography that are the hallmarks of contemporary Mexican cinema. Ironic, cruel and all-too human, "Amores Perros" takes its characters on a wild trip through the seedy underbelly of the largest city in the world. It's a dog's life. For mature audiences.

10:00
La Sonámbula
Dir. Fernando Spiner
Argentina, 1998, 105 min., Spanish with English subtitles, 35mm

In this chilling science fiction film from Argentina, an experimental psychic weapon misfires and erases the memories of hundreds of thousands of Buenos Aires citizens. To deal with the huge amnesiac population, the government imposes a mandatory recovery program by which people are provided with new memories, families, homes and careers. When a resistance surfaces, led by a mysterious figure named Gauna, the government reprograms two amnesiacs to find and kill the mysterious rebel. Reminiscent of films like Brazil, THX 1138, Blade Runner and Metropolis. A frightening but all-too-plausible vision of a not-so-distant future. For mature audiences.

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		El Chacotero Sentimental.

12:30
Soldiers, Debutantes & Laundry (Video, shorts, 97 min.)

The Absentee Father
U.S.A., 2001, 5 min., Video, English
A sidewalk encounter and falling fruit lead a heretic to God in the worst kind of way.

Dirty Laundry
Dir. Cristine Ibarra
U.S.A., 2000, 15 min., Video, English
Waiting for the wash sends 12-year-old Sandra into a dream world when, sitting on top of the washing machine, she discovers the hidden pleasures of the spin cycle...masturbation. Thrown into her cousin's quinceañera court-of-honor, Sandra has to make the traditional Catholic confessional in preparation for the mass. Will she give up her dirty laundry or remain faithful to the washing machine?

Debutante
Dir. Sonia Gozalez
U.S.A., 2000, 20 min., Video, English
When aspiring actress Britney Delavida forgets to place the bet of a local gangster, her career change from bookie to blockbuster actress literally becomes a matter of life and death in this campy comedy.

Ballad of a Soldier
Dir. Kinan Valdez
U.S.A., 2000, 57 min., Video, English
A cinematic adaptation of Luis Valdez' one act play "Soldado Razo". It is a comic and tragic tale of a dreamer, Johnny, a young buck private who leaves his family, his love, and his "Barrio" in an attempt to be "somebody," by going to fight in Vietnam. The story focuses around his last day at home, his day-dream fantasies, and his attempt to make his "goodbye" perfect.

2:30
Campo Minado
Dir. Alex Bowen
Chile, 1999, 80 min., Spanish with English subtitles, 35mm

A young Chilean geologist searching for copper in the Andes discovers that a mine field can be less dangerous than the strange and eccentric characters who carve out an existence and seek their fortunes in this cruel and powerful landscape. A transformative journey with breathtaking scenery. For mature audiences.

5:30
Empress of Carnival
Dir. Luiz Fernando de Medeiros Schultz
Brazil, 2000, 100 min., Portuguese with English subtitles, Video

Empress of Carnival is a feature documentary about the preparation of a major samba-school for the carnival parade of the year 2000 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Offering an entertaining presentation of the intricate, nine-month preparation work, the documentary also features never-before-seen parade images and surround-sound recordings of the samba-school’s percussion ensemble. The journalist Sérgio Cabral, Brazil’s leading authority on the history of the carnival parade, has hailed Empress of Carnival "the best, the deepest, and the most complete audio-visual x-ray ever taken of a samba-school." Empress of Carnival was produced and directed by the Brazilian filmmaker Luiz Fernando de Medeiros Schultz, a.k.a. Medeiros Schultz. He studied film in the United States and it was there that he had the idea of making a feature documentary about a samba-school’s preparation for the "greatest show on Earth," the carnival parade in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In reality, the original idea was to write a narrative script using the carnival parade as a backdrop. Since he had little knowledge about carnival, Schultz decided to research the matter on the Internet. He found little material there, but it was enough to fascinate him. He decided then to make a feature documentary about the samba-schools and their spectacular parade. Empress of Carnival is narrated, in Portuguese, by the journalist and author Sérgio Cabral. The English narration is done by David Byrne, music producer and leading man of the Talking Heads.

7:30
El Chacotero Sentimental
Dir. Cristián Galaz
Chile, 1999, 90 min., Spanish with English subtitles, 35mm

Rumpy is an eccentric young radio host whose call-in program, "El Chacotero Sentimental," is the rage throughout all of Chile. His candid but humorous advice to the lovelorn strikes a chord with his listeners. It is business as usual as "El Chacotero Sentimental" takes on three callers who spill their hearts and inner thoughts for Rumpy and the whole of Chile to hear. But are these torrid tales of love affairs, family secrets and unusual circumstances really that unusual? For mature audiences.

9:45
¡Ritmo Latino! (Video, documentaries, 88 min.)

Nobody Knows My Name
Dir. Rachel Raimist
U.S.A., 1999, 58 min., Video, Documentary, English
This documentary tells the story of women who are connected by their love for hip-hop music. Despite the fact that these talented female artists exist within a culture that revolves around self-expression, the subject of Railmist's documentary must struggle to be heard.

Techno Geist 2000
México / Germany, 2000, 30 min, Video, Documentary, Spanish with English subtitles
Dir. Christiane Burkhard, Anne Huffschmid
Does techno have an angel? Does it represent the zeitgeist-the spirit of today?
In the Spring of 2000, in the heart of Mexico City the spirits of electronic techno music emerged in a unique Mexican-German encounter.


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1:30
Lágrimas Negras
Dir. Sonia Herman Dolz
Cuba-Netherlands, 1997, 75 min., Spanish with English subtitles, 35mm

This intimate and inspiring documentary captures the musical lives of the five "Godfathers of Salsa" known as the Vieja Trova Santiaguera. Preserving their culture, traditions and patriotism through the acoustic rhythms of the Cuban "son," these men, ranging in age from 60 to 90, share their memories, loves, wisdom and music with the world. Whether playing in their living rooms or in sold out concert halls, these men show us how to live life to the fullest as they embark on a five-month tour of Europe.

3:30
Race
Dir. Tom Musca
U.S.A., 1998, 96 min., English, 35mm

Paul Rodriguez stars in this biting political satire about an east Los Angeles housepainter who runs against a female Black Stanford-educated lawyer for a vacant city council seat in a district that is 40% Black, 40% Latino and 20% White. With the Black and Latino vote equally divided, how will the candidates court the critical White electorate? This timely film, written and directed by the co-writer of Stand and Deliver, features a lively score by former Wall of Voodoo frontman Stan Ridgway. A smart look at the Balkanization of city politics. Both candidates deserve to win...but only one will.

6:00
Asi Es la Vida
Dir. Arturo Ripstein
Mexico, 2000, 35mm, 98 min., Spanish with English subtitles, 35mm

Renowned Mexican filmmaker Arturo Ripstein updates the classic Greek tragedy of Medea into this stylish and magnificently crafted film about a woman scorned. Written by long-time Ripstein collaborator Paz Alicia Garcíadiego, "Asi Es La Vida" tells the story of Julia, a woman trying to make ends meet by practicing alternative medicine in the poor part of town. When the sleazy landlord's daughter steals her husband and then presents her with an eviction notice, Julia is racked with pain and sadness. But when her husband makes the mistake of taking their two children with him, Julia embarks on a remarkable transformation that turns her suffering into the fuel for a bold and decisive action. An epic tale of betrayal and revenge set in a boarding house of broken dreams. For mature audiences.

8:00
La Toma de la Embajada*
Dir. Ciro Duran
Colombia / México / Venezuela, 2000, 106 min. Spanish WITHOUT English
subtitles, 35mm

Colombian director Ciro Duran (La Nave de los Sueños - SDLFF 1998) returns with a compelling docudrama about the siege of an embassy in Colombia by the leftist M-19 guerrillas. In 1980, Fifteen ambassadors and diplomats were taken hostage in Bogota, while the guerrillas negotiated the release of over 300 political prisoners. An intense psychological study of politics, rage and fear. Starring Demian Bichir and Bruno Bichir, two of Mexico's hottest actors. For mature audiences.

10:00
El Amateur
Dir. Juan Bautista Stagnaro
Argentina, 1999, 92 min., Spanish with English subtitles, 35mm

Life offers little more than insults and alcohol for outcast Pájaro and his best friend Lopecito, who pulls a shift at the local slaughterhouse. In a town that chips away at their dignity, the two friends decide to reclaim their self-respect by getting into the Guinness Book of World Records. Armed with only his trusty bicycle and Lopecito's encouragement, Pájaro resolves to take a crack at the record for continuous cycling. But can he overcome his own physical and emotional obstacles to achieve his goal? There's nothing riding on this challenge except acceptance, glory and redemption. For mature audiences.

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1:00
Selena
Dir. Gregory Nava
United States, 1997, 125 min., English, 35mm

See it again for the first time! Gregory Nava's moving tribute to Tejana singing sensation Selena Quintanilla charts the inspirational rise and tragic demise of this talented singer who served as an inspiration for a generation of young Latinas. Featuring dynamite performances and a terrific ensemble cast, this film is fun for the whole family. Starring Jennifer Lopez, Lupe Ontiveros, Jon Seda and Edward James Olmos. Shown as part of the Lupe Ontiveros Tribute.

3:00
Flight of Fancy
Dir. Noel Quiñones
Puerto Rico, 2000, 90 min., English, 35mm

Young Gabriel is completely against his mother's marriage to Frank, a rich landowner. So much so, that he runs out during the ceremony. Set on the beautiful island of Puerto Rico, this adorable family film follows Gabriel and his friends as they go treasure hunting instead of attending the wedding. When they stumble upon a pilot and his plane, which had been grounded on the island by a fierce storm, they soon discover that the plane holds magic powers. A film for the entire family.

5:00
Bread and Roses
Dir. Ken Loach
UK/Germany/Spain 2000 110 min., English & Spanish with English subtitles, 35mm

When Maya arrives in Los Angeles to live with her sister, she expects to find a decent job and a better life than the one she knew in Mexico. She hardly suspects when she takes a low-paying janitorial position in a downtown high-rise, however, that she will soon take part in a brave struggle for dignity and equality for herself and others. Renowned British filmmaker Ken Loach (My Name is Joe, Land and Freedom) offers an inspirational story of life, liberty and labor organizing that could be taken from today's headlines. Breathtaking performances and skillful dramatic realism. For mature audiences.

7:00
Crónica de un Desayuno
Dir. Benjamín Cann
Mexico, 2000, 120 min., Spanish with English subtitles, 35mm

In this deliciously kinky film which takes place in the wee hours of a Mexico City morning, long-absent Pedro returns to preside over his seriously bent family. But while Pedro is occupied with making love to his wife, their children Blanca, Teo and Marcos have different ideas about their father's return. Meanwhile, the neighbors are up to their own devices in a wickedly funny and highly-charged erotic drama that involves a set of electric trains. This stylish film explores love at its extremes and sex at its most poetically inventive. For mature audiences.

9:30
La Ley de Herodes*
Dir. Luis Estrada
1999, Mexico, 120 min, Spanish WITHOUT English subtitles, 35mm

When the corrupt mayor of a remote Mexican village is killed in 1949, high ranking PRI officials want Juan Vargas to be his replacement. He has the exact qualifications they're looking for: he's lazy, he lacks initiative, and he's not too bright. Rescued from his job as a garbage inspector, Juan Vargas quickly learns how to govern the PRI way in this hilarious black comedy about power, corruption and power lines. A magnificent example of the rise and fall of a low-level civil servant trying to make the most (money) out of his inauspicious position. For mature audiences.

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• For a complete list of films and videos screened at last year's festival, click here."
• For a complete list of films and videos screened at the 1999 festival, click here."