Festival In LA

Tuesday, November 8, 2016

Latino Filmmakers Flex Their Muscle at AFI FEST 2016

By José Alberto Hermosillo,

AFI FEST. Photo by Jose Alberto Hermosillo © Festival in LA 2016

Prominent Latino filmmakers and auteurs will have an opportunity to get some exposure at the most prestigious film festival in Los Angeles, the AFI Fest 2016 presented by Audi.

Local movie fans are eager to see those productions made by the talented Latino filmmakers and maybe one of them could follow the steps of the “The Three Amigos,” the Mexican directors who had won the Oscar for best director the past three years in a row (Alfonso Cuarón (One for "Gravity") and Alejandro G. Iñárritu (Two, the first one for "Birdman" and the second for "The Revenant")).

Pablo Larrain, Director of "Jackie" and"Neruda." Photo by Jose Alberto Hermosillo © Festival in LA, 2016

This year, Chilean Director Pablo Larrain may have a good shot for his astonishing production of “Jackie,” scheduled to have its Hollywood premiere in one of the festival's galas.

The films representing Latinos in the AFI Fest 2016 are excellent and those will be showcased during the festival for your consideration:

From Chile; Pablo Larraín with two amazing projects this year: “Jackie” with Nathalie Portman. A biopic that is getting the Oscar buzz for best actress. This big production will have a special red carpet treatment with a Center Gala during the festival.

“Neruda” is the official Chilean entry for the Academy Awards 2017 for Best Foreign Film and will have two screenings during the festival.

The story is about the poet and activist Pablo Neruda (Luis Gnecco) and his Argentinean wife Delia Del Carril (Mercedes Morán), members of the Communist Party trying to escape from the political turmoil of Chile, while the police officer Oscar Peluchonneau (Gael Garcia Bernal) hunts them down.

Pedro Almodóvar, Director of "Julieta." Photo by Jose Alberto Hermosillo © Festival in LA, 2016

From Spain; Pedro Almodóvar and his “Julieta,” as the official Spanish entry for the Academy Awards 2017 for Best Foreign Film.

The latest production of the Spanish prolific director deals with two women and the love that never dies. The film it has gotten great reviews since it premiered at Cannes earlier this year.

Amat Escalante, Venice International Film Festival

From Mexico; the winner of Best Director at the Venice International Film Festival, Amat Escalante, and his highly praised work “The Untamed/La Región Salvaje.” Escalante also won the best director award at Cannes for his previous film “Heli.”(The Mexican director is one of the four directors who had won both film festivals in history).

“The Untamed” is an intense drama that brakes the taboos of pure sexual gratification in a country where every desire is forbidden. This film is worth to see it with an open mind as every work done by Escalante.

Also from Mexico and Poland; "Panamerican Machinery," a murder-mystery drama where the generous boss of a factory gets killed. The workers have to change themselves to keep their jobs. This is the Opera Prima of Joaquín del Paso.

From Brazil; “Kill Me, Please/Mata-Me, Por favor.” Directed by Anita Rocha da Silveira. A terrific horror-thriller full of contrasts in the modernized and still marginalized skirts of Rio. In this exuberant and strange place, young girls obsessed with sex dream about their first love. The reality will hit them only when they get close to becoming victims of a serial killer on the loose.

From Argentina; comes the Award Winner for best picture at the Locarno International Film Festival “The Future Perfect/El Futuro Perfecto” directed by a German-Argentinian filmmaker Nele Wohlatz.

From Colombia; “Oscuro Animal” is the Opera Prima directed by Felipe Guerrero. This must-see film is a story that follows three young women caught up in the middle of the “guerrilla” time, where they deal with pain and hope for a better life.

From the USA; An intense metaphysical thriller titled “Busters Mal Heart” where Remi Malek plays a Latino character split into two worlds, one is a fugitive semi-God on the loose and the other a hard worker, religious family man. The film gets intense when both storylines are getting close to each other. Do not miss it!

AFI Fest. Photo by Jose Alberto Hermosillo © Festival in LA, 2016

AFI FEST 2016 presented by Audi screens 118 movies from 46 countries.

AFI Fest gives Angelinos the unique opportunity to be in contact with great directors, celebrities; and to watch many films from around the world for free; also we can see excellent documentaries, wonderful independent films, shorts, and the much expected Hollywood big premieres, many of those movies will transcend into the Award Season big time.

Link to the: AFI FEST FILM GUIDE

AFI FEST 2016 Trailer # 3 (Ida Lupino)

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2016 Festival in LA

Thursday, November 3, 2016

My Life as a Zucchini: The Animated Life of a Swiss Boy

By Jose Alberto Hermosillo

“My Life as a Zucchini” is the most stunning film of the year! It is a heartfelt stop-motion animation that is both colorful and sweet, yet gentle. This skillfully crafted coming-of-age Swiss film is suitable for children of all ages.

The animated story follows the journey of an introverted nine-year-old orphan named Icarus. His mother nicknamed him Zucchini, and Icarus proudly keeps the nickname to honor his mother’s memory ever since.

Zucchini is the wallflower type of kid who is also an excellent storyteller, sharing his experiences through drawings.

His big eyes are two transparent windows that reflect his soul’s purity, emotions, and genuine feelings.

Those big eyes reveal when Zucchini feels lonely, sad, depressed, nostalgic, jealous, happy, or in love with his new friends. Zucchini once said, “Sometimes, we also cry for happiness...”

Zucchini has to come to terms with his mother’s passing with the help of Raymond, the supportive cop, who tells him that his mother is already in heaven and that she is okay. There is no need for guilt.

Director Claude Barras shares how his childhood relates to these magical characters. He’s inspired by classics like “The 400 Blows,” “Nobody’s Boy: Remi,” “Heidi,” and “Bambi.”

Zucchini and his friends share one thing in common: they all lost their parents under specific circumstances.

Barras explains that, no matter how obscure the story, we always find ways to address complex topics with children, much like the Brothers Grimm did in Germany with their dark stories, in their own captivating way.

Zucchini is a dark film that moves beyond simply showing a kid who kills his mother with a shotgun. Such tragic stories occur almost every day in real life; few people discuss them.

“My Life as a Zucchini” is a faithful adaptation of Gilles Paris’s autobiography. Screenwriter Celine Sciamma (“Tomboy”) crafted an elegant and subtle screenplay. She understood the story needed to be suitable for children of all ages, so she created a less frightening version based on the writer’s experiences.

At the Fountain’s Foster Home, Zucchini and his “diverse” friends come from different backgrounds, representing the critical need for inclusion and diversity in cinema.

The Zucchini gang teaches us a powerful lesson: “No matter how tough life gets, there’s always hope for a better future.”

The Magnificent Seven

Simone is the red-headed, sloppy boy who knows everyone’s story. Ahmed is the life of the party. Jujube is the chubby, gluttonous or hypochondriac. Alice is the shy blonde who hides behind her hair.

The gentle African girl is Beatrice. And Camille is everyone’s sweetheart, a proactive, confident, lovable girl. The ten-inch-tall puppets were beautifully handcrafted and came to life in a realistic but straightforward form. The dolls were made of latex, silicone, wires, and fabrics.

The ten-inch-tall puppets were beautifully handcrafted and brought to life in a simple yet realistic manner. The dolls were made from latex, silicone, wires, and fabrics.

When the puppets needed a wardrobe change for the next scene, the production paused for the night.

The director and his crew hand-painted the minimalist, handcrafted sets. The art direction and precise editing ensure that audiences move smoothly through the movie.

Without sugar coating, “My Life as a Zucchini” draws the viewer from start to finish. The story flows well with reasonable continuity, a steady pace, and satisfying surprises.

Professional and non-professional child actors were cast for the characters’ voices. The children were placed in a real setting to interact with one another, allowing them to express their emotions naturally.

The filmmakers recorded the dialogue during the action, sometimes intentionally letting their voices overlap, making the soundtrack more realistic.

This original animated film is Switzerland’s official entry for the 2017 Academy Awards in the Best Foreign-Language Film category. It also qualifies as a Best Animated Feature, and it is very likely to receive Oscar nominations in both categories.

The film’s most emotional moments are when the children discuss adoption, helping them grow emotionally. As Simon says, “Adoptions with older kids happen rarely.” Children have to be okay with saying a simple goodbye and treasuring the sweetest memories of their friendship.

“Zucchini” skillfully captured many gratifying moments for both children and adults, created by the talented puppeteer.

“My Life as a Zucchini” left my heart with mixed feelings. It also makes me think about how chaotic and beautiful life can be when we are kids.

“My Life as a Zucchini” trailer:

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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.

Truman trailer

Recent Spanish Cinema 2016 Promo

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