Sunday, October 23, 2016

LATINO TALENT ATTENDED THE RECENT SPANISH CINEMA 2016

By Jose Alberto Hermosillo,

On the red carpet of the magnificent Egyptian Theater in the heart of Hollywood, many Latino actors, directors, and film lovers showed up for the opening night of the 22nd Recent Spanish Festival 2016.

"Truman," the movie, was a wonderful and touching Spanish production winner of five Goya Awards (Spanish Oscars) last year, including best picture, best actor Ricardo Darin (“The Secret in Their Eyes”), best supporting actor Javier Camara (“Talk to Her”), best screenplay, and best director Cesc Gay. The story is about two friends getting together for the last time in their lives.  

After the film, the audience moved to the theater’s courtyard for the wonderful reception of the first night of the Spanish film showcase that delighted the audience of Los Angeles.

Other important films from Spain that showcased during the 22nd Recent Spanish Cinema were:

"The Bride/ La novia," directed by Paula Ortiz.
"To Steal From a Thief/Cien Años de perdón," directed by Daniel Calparsoro.
"Kiki, Love to Love/El amor se hace," directed by Paco León.
"Party Town/El perdón," directed by Dani de la Orden.
"Spy Time/Anacleto," agente secreto, by Javier Ruíz Caldera.
"Toro," directed by Kike Maíllo. With Mario Casas and Luis Tosar.

The program was complemented with a free screening of some more Spanish shorts on a Sunday night. 
Javier Ruiz Caldera director of SPY TIME. Photo by Jose Hermosillo © 2016 Festival in LA

Paula Ortiz director of "The Bride/La novia." Photo by Jose Hermosillo © 2016 Festival in LA
J.M. Longoria, actor "Miracles from Heaven." Photo by Jose Hermosillo © 2016 Festival in LA
Reynaldo Pacheco, actor "Our Band is in Crisis." Photo by Jose Hermosillo © 2016 Festival in LA

Goya Toledo, actress "Amores Perros," "Retribution." Photo by Jose Hermosillo © Festival in LA, 2016
Adrian Nunez, actor "30 Days with My Brother." Photo by Jose Hermosillo © Festival in LA, 2016
Patricia Velasquez actress "Liz in September," "The Mummy." Photo by Jose Hermosillo © Festival in LA, 2016
Macarena Torres, actress "Decibel 110." Photo by Jose Hermosillo © Festival in LA, 2016
Photo by Jose Hermosillo © 2016 Festival in LA
Elvi Cano executive director of Egeda USA and talent coordinator of Premios Platino Photo by Jose Hermosillo © 2016 Festival in LA
Michelle Mueller, actress "Halloweed," "Chicago Med." Photo by Jose Hermosillo © Festival in LA, 2016
Javier Ruiz Caldera director of SPY TIME and producer Ignacio Darnuade, "Ladies Night," "Casi Divas," "Ninas Mal". Photo by Jose Hermosillo © 2016 Festival in LA
Film critic Jose Alberto Hermosillo © 2016 Festival in LA

Copyright © 2016 Festival in LA

Wednesday, October 19, 2016

Sonia Braga Receives a Lifetime Achievement Award in Hollywood

By José Alberto Hermosillo
Sonia Braga, photo by Jose Alberto Hermosillo © 2016, Festival in LA

Oct 16th, 2016, Hollywood, CA -  The 8th Hollywood Brazilian Film Festival gave the legendary Brazilian actress Sonia Braga a Lifetime Achievement Award on a Saturday night gala.

Sonia Braga and Edward James Olmos, photo by Jose Alberto Hermosillo © 2016, Festival in LA

The renowned Latino actor Edward James Olmos handed the prize during the Ceremony Celebrated in the Arclight Cinemas in Hollywood. 

Sonia Braga, photo by Jose Alberto Hermosillo © 2016, Festival in LA

Talented and sexy, Sonia Braga is one of the world’s most well-known Brazilian actresses and one of the few Latino actors who has made it in Hollywood and keeps working in her homeland.

Onia Braga made quite a few brilliant films in Hollywood, such as: “Kiss of the Spider Woman,” “Moon Over Parador,” “Angel Eyes,” “The Rookie,” “Sea of Dreams,” “Roosters,” and “The Miracle Beanfield War.” 

She also participated in a few sizzling episodes of the TV series hit “Sex and the City” for HBO. And for PBS in “American Family” with James Olmos, Raquel Welch, Esai Morales, and Kate del Castillo.
She worked with Michael Gambon in the terrific thriller “Two Deaths” in Europe.
In her home country, she made some beautiful films now considered Classics of Brazilian Cinema, such as “Tieta of Agreste.”
She also made the magical-realism film “Dona Flor and Her Two Husbands.” Her sensuality and the enactment of the character catapulted her to international stardom.

Sonia Braga is having a significant comeback to the big screen w
ith the controversial “Aquarius,” getting rave reviews from the international press since its premiere in Cannes 2016. 


In “Aquarius,” Sonia’s marvelous portrayal of Clara is unforgettable. She is a music critic, a mother, and a cancer survivor fighting for her ocean-view apartment and keeping her family together with dignity and respect.
Sonia Braga, photo by Jose Alberto Hermosillo © 2016, Festival in LA

During the Award Ceremony, Edward James Olmos said: “Sonia was a true gift to my life.” He continued, “In many films, we had many kids together; where are they now?”

Edward James Olmos and Sonia Braga, photo by Jose Alberto Hermosillo © 2016, Festival in LA
Sonia replied, “You are my favorite husband,” referring to the movies and TV series they had jointly done in the past. 

Sonia Braga thanked the Hollywood Brazilian Film Festival, her friends, and her family, who worked with her for over 50 years in movies and television.
Sonia Braga and Director Kleber Mendoca Filho, photo by Jose Alberto Hermosillo © 2016 Festival in LA
Sonia especially thanked the film's director, “Aquarius,” Kleber Mendoca Filho, for writing this unforgettable story and having her in mind for the central part. 

She also mentioned her mother, who made, with her own hands, the costumes she wore in the award-winning films: “Kiss of Spider Woman” and “Moon Over Parador.”
Sonia Braga, photo by Jose Alberto Hermosillo, © 2016 Festival in LA

Sonia Braga loves to live in Los Angeles, a city where she has a little house with a small garden she likes to take care of. She learned to drive in LA, where she can constantly panic at the wheel. Then, she moved to NYC, where she could walk without getting a traffic ticket.

Sonia Braga in Hollywood, photo by Jose Alberto Hermosillo, © 2016 Festival in LA

Mrs. Braga fights for what is right. She considers herself a humanist, aware of what is happening worldwide, especially with her people and country.
Sonia Braga, photo by Jose Alberto Hermosillo, © 2016 Festival in LA
Sonia finished her speech by saying, “From all the roles I played, the best one was to be born.”
Sonia Braga and Director Kleber Mendoca Filho Photo by Jose Alberto Hermosillo © 2016 Festival in LA

Other people from the film industry demonstrated their support for Sonia that night. “Sonia Braga is such an amazing actress, a real inspiration,” said one of the founders of LALIFF (Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival), Marlene Dermer, who was incredibly moved by the Sonia Braga recognition.  

The event continued with more than a two-hour film presentation.

 Talize Sayegh, Sonia Braga, and Director Kleber Mendoca Filho Photo by Jose Alberto Hermosillo © 2016 Festival in LA

After the screening, we had a very revealing Q&A conducted by the director of the Hollywood Brazilian Film Festival, Talize Sayegh, who, in the end, invited us to a lovely reception at a nearby café.

Sonia Braga. Film critic José Alberto Hermosillo 
Brazilian talent in Hollywood, photo by Jose Alberto Hermosillo © 2016 Festival in LA
Actor Renato Góes, photo by Jose Alberto Hermosillo © 2016 Festival in LA
The Sonia Braga Lifetime Award night was a celebration of the actress’ achievements; it was also a fantastic event in the company of many Brazilian actors and other Angelinos, lovers of Brazilian and World Cinema.
Film critic Jose Alberto Hermosillo, Festival in LA.

Copyright © Festival in LA, 2016