Narrative Films Synopses

AL MORIR LA MATINÉE

Dir. Maximiliano Contenti (Uruguay, 88 min., 2020, Spanish w/ English Subtitles, Horror) 3/13 / 9:00 / S8

It rains heavily in Montevideo on a Sunday in 1993. A particularly suspicious man enters the last screening of a horror film at a downtown cinema. The room, which is not very crowded due to the storm outside, slowly starts to get stained with blood. Un Mundo

Extraño Showcase. CAFÉ CON SABOR A MI TIERRA

Dir. Carlos Membreño (Honduras, 123 min., 2021, Spanish w/ English Subtitles, Drama) 3/12 / 5:50 /S6 3/15 / 9:30/ S5

ALGO AZUL

Dir. Mariel Garcia Spooner (Panama / Colombia, 90 min., 2021, Spanish w/ English Subtitles, Comedy/Drama) 3/12 / 7:00 / S9 3/18/ 9:15 / S7 3/20 / 11:30 AM / S7

Ana’s wedding dress ends up ruined a week before her wedding. At the hotel where she works, she finds the dress of her dreams in one of the rooms. Tempted, she decides to try it on, only to be caught by Lucia, the owner of the dress. Ana escapes from the hotel dressed as a bride and decides that she must get married that same day. A fun race against the clock begins as she must convince her fiancé to wed her before she is caught. In the midst of this chaos, she becomes a media phenomenon, runs into her exboyfriend Rodrigo and reflects on true love. Vozes Film Showcase.

AMPARO

Dir. Simon Mesa Soto (Colombia / Sweden / Qatar, 95 min., 2021, Spanish w/ English Subtitles, Drama) 3/12 / 8:20 / S8 3/14 / 5:45 / S5

Amparo, a single mother of two, finds out that her son has been drafted during an army raid and will be sent to the front in a notorious war zone near the border. His fate seems sealed. With only a single day left until his departure, Amparo manages to contact a man who offers to alter Elias' files and get him out. With nothing much on her side, she embarks on a race against time to free her son in a society ruled by corruption. Spotlight Films.

CADEJO BLANCO

Dir. Justin Lerner (Guatemala / Mexico, USA, 125 min., 2021, Spanish w/ English Subtitles, Drama)

3/10 / 8:25 /S7 3/20 / 5:55 / S7 virtually 3/12 Sarita goes out partying one night at the insistence of her rebellious sister, Bea. The next morning, after calling friends and neighbors, Sarita begins to panic when she realizes that Bea never made it home. With no help from the authorities and convinced that Bea's disappearance has something to do with Andrés, her sister’s dangerous ex, Sarita finds a way to befriend him and infiltrate his gang, becoming increasingly involved in a ruthless, violent world.

Vozes Film Showcase.

A coffee producing family from Marcala, Honduras faces seemingly insurmountable challenges that test the bonds of family to their limit. In the process, we learn the sacrifice, passion, and faith that exists behind a cup of coffee. Vozes Film Showcase.

LA CAJA

Dir. Lorenzo Vigas (Mexico / USA, 90 min., 2021, Spanish w/ English Subtitles, Drama) 3/13 / 7:00 / S8 3/16 / 8:50 / S5

Hatzin, a young teenager from Mexico City, travels to collect the remains of his father, which have been found in a communal grave amidst the huge skies and empty landscape of Northern Mexico. But a casual encounter with a man who shares a physical resemblance with his father fills him with doubts and hope about his parent’s true whereabouts. Starring Hernán Mendoza and directed by Golden Lion winning director, Lorenzo Vigas.

Mexico Today Showcase.

CHARLOTTE

Dir. Simón Franco (Paraguay, 80 min., 2021, Spanish w/ English Subtitles, Dramedy) 3/12 / 1:30 / S10 3/16 / 6:30 / S6 VIRTUALLY 3/19

A forgotten movie star learns that the director who made her famous will be filming his last film in Paraguay. She and her faithful Taiwanese companion set out on an unusual journey in search of the role of a lifetime-- but in the process they learn so much more about life, friendship, and each other. Spotlight Films Showcase.

CLARA SOLA

Dir. Nathalie Álvarez Mesén (Sweden / Costa Rica / Belgium, 106 min., 2021, Spanish w/ English Subtitles, Drama) 3/10 / 6:15 / S6 3/14 / 4:30 / S6 In a remote village in Costa Rica, Clara, a 36-year-old woman, takes off on a journey to break free from social and religious conventions to become the master of her sexuality and newfound powers.

¡Viva Mujeres! Showcase

DEL MANANTIAL DEL CORAZÓN

Dir. René Vargas Madrigal (Mexico / USA, 78 min., 2022, Spanish, Yucatec Maya w/ English Subtitles, Drama) 3/15 / 6:15 / S6 3/18/ 9:00 / S6 VIRTUALLY 3/20

Three stories about the life and experiences of Mayan Mestiza women as they grow up in the unique post-colonial sincretism of the catholic and mayan traditions; unique to Yucatán. Frontera

Filmmakers Showcase.

DIVORCE BAIT

Dir. Patrick Perez Vidauri (USA, 92 min., 2022, English, Comedy) 3/19/ 5:00 / S8 3/20 / 2:00 / S8

A raunchy adult themed comedy about a happily married couple in an affluent neighborhood who embark on a social media experiment to see how their group of friends and community will react to their FAKE divorce. The results reveal where their friends' priorities lie as thirsty and desperate “allies” come out of the woodwork to comfort the new divorcees in an attempt to catch them on the rebound.

Hay que reírse Showcase. DOS ESTACIONES

Dir. Juan Pablo González (Mexico, 99 min., 2022, Spanish w/ English Subtitles, Drama) 3/10 / 8:40 / S5 3/13/ 4:30 / S5

In the bucolic hills of Mexico's Jalisco highlands, iron-willed businesswoman Maria Garcia fights the impending collapse of her tequila factory. She hires Rafaela, a new factory administrator, who brings her hope in her time of crisis.

¡Somos! Cine LGBT+ Showcase.

EFÍMERA

Dir. Luis Mariano García (Mexico, 87 min, 2021, Spanish w/ English Subtitles, ComingOf-Age / LGBTQ+) 3/14 / 6:45 / S7 3/18 / 4:30 / S6 VIRTUALLY 3/11

Emilia is a teenager with the distinct ability to see those close to death “shine.” As she grapples with this gift/curse, her rigid nature begins to transform after meeting Renata. Together, they make plans for the future although unexpected circumstances force the two of them down surprising paths.

¡Somos! Cine LGBT+ Showcase.

LOS FUNDADORES

Dir. Diego Hernandez (Mexico, 62 min., 2021, Spanish w/ English Subtitles, Drama) 3/13 / 5:40 / S6 3/19 / 11:30 AM / S7 VIRTUALLY 3/16

Despite a great effort, the professional development of university students Renee, Andrés, and Diego is affected after authorities divert important resources. Engulfed in a passive and disorganized community, their disagreement with the position taken by their school leads them in a search of ways the school can give in to their demands. Frontera Filmmakers Showcase.

EL GRAN MOVIMIENTO

Dir. Kiro Russo (Bolivia / France / Qatar /Switzerland, 85 min., 2021, Spanish w/ English Subtitles, Drama) 3/11 / 9:20 / S8 3/17 / 8:10 / S5

Stunningly shot in the Bolivian mountains, jungles, and in contemporary La Paz, the film follows Elder who arrives in the capital after a seven-day journey seeking to get back his work at a mine. Once in the city, Elder gets a job but his health soon deteriorates. An elderly woman known as Mama Pancha sends him to Max, a mysterious man who resides in the rainforest and occasionally heads to La Paz for work as a street performer. To save Elder, Max performs a series of shamanic rituals that slowly brings the young man back to life. Spotlight Films Showcase.

LENI

Dir. Federico Gianotti (Argentina, 74 min., 2020, Spanish w/ English Subtitles, Horror) 3/10 / 9:00 / S8 3/17 / 9:15 / S7 VIRTUALLY 3/14

Recurring nightmares and the aftermath of a violent break-up have put Leni on edge as she desperately seeks to regain her sanity. Now she must confront her demons in order to unravel the trauma of a past she doesn’t seem to fully remember. Un mundo extraño Showcase.

MAN FROM RENO

Dir. Dave Boyle (USA, 111 min., 2014, English, Japanese w/ English Subtitles, Mystery) 3/12 / 3:00 / S8

A small town sheriff and a Japanese crime writer are lured into the same strange murder mystery unfolding on the back streets and outskirts of San Francisco. Special

Presentation: Pepe Serna Tribute. MATAR A LA BESTIA

Dir. Agustina San Martín (Argentina / Brazil / Chile, 89 min., 2021 Spanish, Portuguese w/ English Subtitles, Drama) 3/17 / 4:45 / S7 3/20 / 8:20 / S5 VIRTUALLY 3/15

Emilia, 17, arrives at her Aunt Ines’ hostel at the border between Argentina and Brazil, looking for her long lost brother. In this luxuriant jungle, where local myths and legends abound, a dangerous beast believed to be the spirit of an evil man taking the form of different animals seems to be roaming around. On a journey to sexual awakening, Emilia will have to confront her past in order to kill the beast. ¡Viva Mujeres! Showcase.

MEDUSA

Dir. Anita Rocha da Silveira (Brazil, 129 min., 2022, Portuguese w/ English Subtitles, Fantasy / Horror) 3/15 / 6:35 / S7 3/20 / 8:40 / S6

Today, Brazil. Mariana (Mari Oliveira), 21 years old, belongs to a world where she must do her utmost to keep up the appearance of a perfect woman. In order to resist temptation, she and her girlfriends try their best to control everything and everyone around them. And that includes the town sinners. At night, the girl squad put on masks, hunt and beat up all women who have deviated from the right path. However, the day will come when the urge to scream will be stronger than it ever has been…

Un mundo extraño Showcase.

MIS HERMANOS SUEÑAN DESPIERTOS

Dir. Claudia Huaiquimilla (Chile, 85 min., 2021, Spanish w/ English Subtitles, Drama) 3/10 / 6:30 / S7 3/20 / 6:25 / S8

Ángel and his younger brother Franco have been incarcerated in a juvenile prison for a year. Despite the difficulties, they have formed a solid group of friends with whom they spend their days sharing dreams of freedom. Everything changes when the arrival of a rebellious young man offers a possible escape: the only door to make those dreams come true. Inspired by many true events, and starring Paulina García (La novia del desierto). Content Warning: Features an assault attempt that may be triggering to viewers.

Spotlight Films Showcase.

EL MAYOR

Dir. Rigoberto López (Cuba, 117 min., 2020, Spanish w/ English Subtitles, Historical Drama / War)

3/20 / 3:40 / S6

A historical epic about the life of Major General Ignacio Agramonte y Loynaz, a pivotal figure in the Cuban War of Independence, directed by the late, great filmmaker Rigoberto López. Spotlights Films Showcase.

LOS MINUTOS NEGROS

Dir. Mario Muñoz (Mexico, 96 min., 2021, Spanish w/ English Subtitles, Crime / Thriller) 3/18 / 7:20 / S8 3/20 / 8:30 / S7 VIRTUALLY 3/11

In the late 1970s, a group of young cops led by ex-musician turned detective Vicente Rangel will face the darkest minutes of their lives while attempting to catch a serial killer of young girls in a corrupt oil town in the Gulf of Mexico. Starring Leonardo Ortizgris, Sofia Espinosa, and Kristyan Ferrer. Spotlight Films Showcase.

LAS MOTITOS

Dirs. María Gabriela Vidal, Inés María Barrionuevo (Argentina, 84 min., 2021, Spanish w/ English Subtitles, Drama) 3/12 / 5:20 / S10 3/14 / 9:10 / S7 VIRTUALLY 3/17

Juliana and Lautaro live in a poor neighborhood surrounded by policemen. They are in love but facing an unwanted pregnancy. They don’t know what to do. Who will they turn to in order to avoid illegality and abandonment? Juliana’s mother, Flor, finds out what’s happening and decides to take action. Spotlight Films Showcase.

NAHUEL Y EL LIBRO MÁGICO

Dir. Germán Acuña (Chile / Brazil, 98 min., 2020, Spanish w/ English Subtitles, Animated / Adventure)

3/19 / 1:30 / S7

Nahuel lives with his father in a fishing town, but has a deep fear of the sea. One day, he finds a magical book that seems to be the solution to this problem, but a dark wizard is after it and captures Nahuel’s father. Nahuel must embark on an unforgettable adventure to rescue his father and overcome his fears. Para la familia

Showcase. NO VAYAS A CLASE MAÑANA

Dir. Diego Barragan (Mexico, 84 min., 2020, Spanish w/ English Subtitles, Drama / Coming-of-age) 3/13 / 7:40 / S6 3/17 / 6:45 / S7 VIRTUALLY 3/19

One afternoon Jorge and Emilio, two 15-year-olds, decide to take a stand after being pushed to their limit. Over the course of an unforgettable night, they arrange all the details to fulfill their plot for a massacre in their school the next day, all while dealing with the emotional weight of growing up. Mexico Today Showcase.

LA NOCHE DE LA BESTIA

Dir. Mauricio Leiva-Cock (Colombia, Mexico, 70 min., 2020, Spanish w/ English Subtitles, Comedy) 3/12 / 9:00 / S9 3/16 / 7:00 / S5 VIRTUALLY 3/19

The events leading up to an iconic Iron Maiden concert in Bogota Colombia test the friendship of two teenage rock fans. A formative music-based right of passage and shared musical nostalgia take center stage in this part concert-film, part comedy of errors made all the more enjoyable by the filmmakers having the rights to use Iron Maidens music in the film. A must watch for metal fans of all ages. Hay que reírse Showcases.

OCEAN GIRL

Dir. Djin Sganzerla (Brazil / Japan, 99 min., 2020, English, Japanese, Portuguese w/ English Subtitles, Drama) 3/12 / 5:50 / S8 3/15 / 8:30 / S6 VIRTUALLY 3/18

After relocating to Tokyo, a Brazilian writer begins a new novel, provoked by her experiences in Japan and by one of the last scenes she witnessed in Rio de Janeiro: a female swimmer tearing up the horizon with powerful strokes in the wide, open sea. Those two women apparently share no connection, until their lives start to interfere with one another's, strangely linked through the sea. Hannah, the writer, plunges into a journey of self-discovery in Japan, while Ana, the swimmer in Rio de Janeiro, oddly has her body transformed into some kind of inner Ocean.

Spotlight Films Showcase.

OLIVERIO Y LA PISCINA

Dir. Arcadi Palerm-Artis (Mexico, 102 min., 2021, Spanish w/ English Subtitles, Coming-of-Age) 3/16 / 6:50 / S7 3/20 / 1:30 / S7 VIRTUALLY 3/10

Oliverio sets the urn that contains his father’s ashes on the table next to the poolside chaise lounge. He grabs his phone and types in a word: aneurysm. Oliverio’s father died during a family dinner, just after his parents announced that they were getting divorced. His mother already had a new man in her life. Oliverio, a 13-yearold only child, installs himself on the chaise lounge and decides that he will stay right there. From that very spot he continues his life – mourning, observing, learning to forgive, and falling in love.

Mexico Today Showcase.

EL OTRO TOM

Dir. Rodrigo Plá, Laura Santullo (Mexico/ USA, 111 min., 2021, Spanish w/ English Subtitles, English, Drama) 3/11 / 7:00 / S8 3/15 / 5:00 / S8 VIRTUALLY 3/20

Elena is a single mother who relies on Social Services. Her son Tom has behavioral issues and is stigmatized at school as a “problem child” in the border city of El Paso, Texas. An absent father further complicates their difficult relationship. Tom is diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and prescribed psychiatric medication, but a strange accident alerts his mother as to its side effects. When Elena refuses to continue administering the drugs to Tom, Social Services threaten to remove him from her custody, leading to life-altering decisions.

Spotlight Films Showcase.

LA PASAJERA

Dirs. Raúl Cerezo, Fernando González Gómez (Spain, 90 min. 2021, Spanish w/ English Subtitles, Horror) 3/19 / 8:05 / S7 VIRTUALLY 3/12

A group of strangers sharing a van have their trip abruptly interrupted when the driver accidentally hits a woman hiking in the middle of the night. They decide to take her to the hospital, but on the way quickly learn that she is not in need of a hospital and that they shouldn’t have let her in at all. Starring Mexican actress Cecilia Suarez... like you've never seen her before!

Un mundo extraño Showcase. UNA PELÍCULA SOBRE PAREJAS

Dirs. Natalia Cabral, Oriol Estrada (Dominican Republic, 89 min., 2021, Catalan, Spanish w/ English Subtitles, Dramedy / Relationships) 3/16 / 5:00/ S8 3/20 / 4:15 / S5

Natalia and Oriol are a couple of filmmakers in their thirties who have a young daughter named Lía. They decide to make a film about couples and relationships, and along the way realize there's work to be done in their own partnership.

Spotlights Films Showcase.

PERFUME DE GARDENIAS

Dir. Macha Colón (Puerto Rico / Colombia, 97 min., 2021, Spanish w/ English Subtitles, Dramedy) 3/10 / 5:00 / S8 3/19 / 1:00 / S5 VIRTUALLY 3/14 After an elderly Puerto Rican widow crafts a beautiful custommade funeral for her husband, she gets enlisted to put her unusual talents to design customized, idiosyncratic funerals for her ailing neighbors. ¡Viva Mujeres! Showcase

PLAZA CATEDRAL

Dir. Abner Benaim (Panama / Mexico / Colombia, 94 min., 2021, Spanish w/ English Subtitles, Drama) 3/12 / 7:20 /S10 3/20 / 8:15 / S8

Ilse Salas stars in this film as Alicia, a grieving mother who has gone through an inexplicable tragedy. When a 13 year old boy named Chief enters her life, she’ll find a new lease on life, and more importantly, force her to question her own circumstances.

Spotlight Films Showcase.

PODEROSO VICTORIA

Dir. Raúl Ramón (Mexico, 117 min., 2022, Spanish w/ English Subtitles, Drama / Adventure) 3/15 / 7:15 / S8 3/19 / 7:00 / S6

La Esperanza, a town in the Northern Mexican desert, receives the devastating news that their mine will be shut-down along with their railroad service. Facing the risk of being cut off from civilization, the townsfolk unite under the leadership of a young mechanic with big dreams to execute a wild idea-- they will build their own steam train. Starring Gerardo Oñate, Damián Alcázar, Joaquín Cosío, Édgar Vivar, Adal Ramones, Lalo España, Roberto Sosa, and Said Sandoval among many others. Spotlight Films Showcase.

PRIVATE DESERT

Dir. Aly Muritiba (Brazil, 123 min., 2021, Portuguese w/ English Subtitles, Drama / LGBTQ+) 3/12 / 8:50 / S6 3/16 / 8:20 / S6

40-year-old Daniel has been suspended from active police work and is under internal investigation for violence. When Sara, his internet love affair, stops answering his texts he decides to drive north in search of her, starting on what is apparently a fool's errand. He shows Sara's picture around, but nobody seems to recognize her. Until eventually one mysterious man contacts Daniel, saying he can put the two in touch under very specific conditions. The trip leads to unexpected revelations and pulse-pounding explorations of gender identity, sexuality, and love. ¡Somos! Cine

LGBT+ Showcase.

RAÍCES DE SANGRE

Dir. Jesús Salvador Treviño (Mexico, 94 min.,1978, Spanish, No English Subtitles, Activism)

3/11 / 7:15 / S7

Jesús Salvador Treviño’s Raíces de sangre is a landmark film about the Chicano experience. This exploration of how capitalism exploits workers on both sides of the border is an incendiary condemnation of a system built to oppress laborers. Special Presen-

tation: Pepe Serna Tribute. EL REY DE TODO EL MUNDO

Dir. Carlos Saura (Mexico / Spain, 95 min., 2021, Spanish w/ English Subtitles, Drama / Dance) 3/19 / 7:35 / S8 3/20 / 11:45 AM / S8

Manuel (Manuel García Rulfo) is preparing his next musical. He seeks the help of Sara (Ana de la Reguera), his ex-wife and renowned choreographer, to direct. In the casting, the young Ines emerges as a rising star despite dealing with her father’s ties to the local mob. During the rehearsals, passion and tensions grow among the dancers. Powerful Mexican music sets the tone and a play will emerge in which tragedy, fiction and reality intertwine. Directed by the great Carlos Saura. Special Presentation.

SICOSEXUAL

Dir. Marco Vélez Esquivia (Colombia, 96 min., 2022, Spanish w/ English Subtitles, Thriller) 3/11 / 8:20 / S5 3/18 / 9:45 / S8 VIRTUALLY 3/13

Marcela, a film and TV commercial sound designer, becomes obsessed with a famous YouTuber after she finds her boyfriend with another woman. Her infatuation takes a dangerous turn after a chance to meet the object of her affection presents itself. When things don’t go as planned, Marcela takes matters into her own hands. Un mundo extraño Showcase.

SUPERBLOCKED

Dir. Romel Rodríguez (United States, 93 min., 2021, English, Comedy) 3/11 / 9:30 / S6 3/14 / 7:50 / S5 VIRTUALLY 3/18

From writer director Romel Rodriguez comes a New York Latinx comedy about Alexis who is single and struggling to keep a 9-5 job or a relationship. With the help of his friend Benny, they embark on a project helping desperate singles make time with the objects of their affection through the ancient art of Cock Blocking. They begin to make some money but things go sideways along the way. Will their plans for financial freedom and search for true love be fruitful, or will they end up worse than when they started? Hay que

reírse Showcase.

EL SUSPIRO DEL SILENCIO

Dir. Alfonso Quijada (El Salvador, 93 min., 2020, Spanish w/ English Subtitles, Drama / Thriller) 3/12 / 1:30 / S9 3/18 / 7:30 / S5 around her. As her eldest son announces a visit, she hurries to improve her house and her own appearance, but a last-minute cancellation of the visit pushes her into a tailspin, reliving a bitter summer holiday from long ago. Spotlight Films Showcase.

YO Y LAS BESTIAS

Dir. Nico Manzano (Venezuela, 78 min., 2021, Spanish w/English subtitles, Dramedy) 3/17 / 8:25 / S6 3/19 / 8:15 / S5

An alternative rock band’s singer-guitarist starts a solo career, seeking inspiration as Venezuela’s crisis roils, with the help of “The Beasts”, two mysterious masked beings.

Spotlight Films Showcase.

EL OLVIDO QUE SEREMOS

Dir. Fernando Trueba (Colombia, 136 min., 2020, Spanish w/ English subtitles, Drama) 3/10 / 8:35 / S6 3/13/ 6:40 / S5

Josefina Moreno, an 18-year old coffee picker who has worked in the coffee fields in El Salvador her entire life, discovers she has a rare and refined sense of smell which opens the doors for her in the world of coffee tasting. Her gift allows her to evaluate and appreciate coffee beans with near-perfect precision, but she has to contend with circumstances that threaten her future.

Vozes Showcase.

TODOS TENEMOS UN MUERTO EN EL PLACARD O UN HIJO EN EL CLÓSET

Dir. Nicolás Teté (Argentina, 103 min., 2020, Spanish w/ English Subtitles, Coming-Of-Age / Drama) 3/13 / 7:40 / S7 VIRTUALLY 3/16 EL OLVIDO QUE SEREMOS describes the life of Héctor Abad Gómez (Javier Cámara), a doctor and a human rights activist concerned with both his own children and the children of the underprivileged classes in the violent 1970s in Medellin, Colombia. At his home, you can breathe the vitality and creativity that are the result of a progressive education based on tolerance and love. But driven by sadness and rage when a terrible cancer takes the life of one of his daughters, Héctor devotes himself to the social and political causes of the time, without regard to his personal safety. This is an intimate story seen through the eyes of his only son, Héctor Abad Facilionce, one of the most outstanding writers in contemporary Colombia. Spotlight Films Showcase.

After recently coming out to his parents, Manuel returns to his hometown of Villa Mercedes for their anniversary party and to ask for money to move to Denmark with his boyfriend. Only thing is, they refuse to accept his sexuality. His visit unfolds a family crisis, a break-up, and a surprising secret.

¡Somos! Cine LGBT+ Showcase.

LAS VACACIONES DE HILDA

Dir. Agustín Banchero (Uruguay, 88 min., 2021, Spanish w/ English Subtitles, Drama) 3/14 / 8:30 / S6 VIRTUALLY 3/10 Hilda, a lonely woman living in the town of Conception, Uruguay, intentionally shatters any kind of emotional bond with the people