A tired and frantic El Cosmico here, with apologies for not getting this up sooner...our truly outstanding pal LOBO has once again brought us his column...Latin-AICN, with a new fun section...LATINDIE!
Will wonders never cease? I think not. Viva Latin-AICN!
Que pasa Cinelocos !! Bienvenidos one more time to LATIN-AICN, where I (LOBO) am starting a new section of the column, that's right besides the QUICKIES/RAPIDINES and the news from Latin American cinema, now once a month I will have for you a section called LATINDIE where I will have reviews and comments about Latin independent films.. so if any of you Latindependent filmakers would like to give it a try, this is a chance to do it.. and for all of you readers this is the place to come and get to know that cine independiente....Vamos !!!
QUICKIES/RAPIDINES
**** The film AMORES PERROS will be shown at the Film Festival in Edinburg, Scotland.
**** Don't forget to check the ARTE LATINO Film Fest on the Sundance channel.
**** Lucas might go back to Mexico to do some filming for Episode III.....???
**** Raquel Welch and Héctor Elizondo are working in L.A. making the movie "Tortilla soup".
"Arrancame la Vida"(Tare Away My Life)
"Arrancame la Vida" is the title of the movie where SALMA HAYEK will appear as the main character and producer of this film, she is very intent upon helping mexican cinema become a truely thriving part of the world movie biz. The writer of the novel from which this film will be based is ANGELES MASTRETTA for whom did not completely sell all of the rights to ALTA VISTA FILMS, because she was/is wanting to have a direct addaptation of her novel in its complete format. So if you have read the book do not be extremely upset if the film is not loyal in every aspect. I have to say I am really glad to see Salma helping out mexican cinema, showing she has not forgotten her roots in Mexico, and also showing that she is multi-talented and not just an actress, but a person striving to be more, this is always great to see, so I hope some of you readers will become interested in this project and I hope all the best for it...
Latin Film Fest in Peru
In Lima, Peru from August 4-13 of this year there is going to be a film festival containing seventeen films from the great and beautiful countries of Argentina, Bolivia, Brasil, Chile, Columbia, Cuba, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru y Venezuela. The directors of these films see this as an oppurtunity to show their work hoping in some cases to find distributors and production companies for their future proyects, but in all cases they are looking to find and widen their audience and have their films seen. Also the film makers have the chance to recieve the prestigious "El Cine" award (that is accompanied by a $10,000 cash award) for the film which recieves the most votes for best flick at the fest, these votes are by all audience members and critics attending the festival, so for all you in the grand capital of Peru you really should go check this out and vote for you favorite film because these fests really deserve all the support they can get because the are the birthplace of great talents and struggling artists, a place where those people are discovered and praised.... So ... Go and specially try to see Ciudad de M (Peru) , Todo el poder (Mexico) and El Chacotero sentimental(Chile).
LATINDIE
Runnin' at Midnite
This is part of the e-mail I got from Lawrence Toledo, producer of the film...
This is part of the e-mail I got from Lawrence Toledo, producer of the film...
Estimado LOBO!
Gracias for keeping us 'up to speed' with lo que pasa in the Latino cinematic mundo. Pablo Toledo, Jennifer Santiago and I formed a production company, h.o.p.e. street productions, llc. h.s.p. is an all-Latino/Nativo owned enterprise committed to the creation and production of quality Latino flavored cinematic and television programming. We are currently in the final stages of post production of an indie written and directed by Pablo Toledo, "Runnin' at Midnite".
"Runnin' at Midnite" chronicles the lives of several Latino and African American youth living in the City of South Tucson and the midnight basketball league they play in to escape the streets. Its anti-gang and anti-violence message has been well received in the community here and across the nation. As Latino filmmakers, we are proud we avoided all on-screen violence and have created an uplifting tale of the struggles of our cities youth in a way that does not glorify the street life. RAM is not about basketball! RAM is about isolation, fears, despair, dreams, courage, responsibility and hope as lived vicariously through the lives of our Latino and African American youth.
The process is most unique and hopefully will become a model for other film production companies where the impacted community becomes an integral element of the story. We used a cast of incredibly talented at-risk youth and really managed to rally the entire community around this film. The use of 90% minority cast and an all minority "above the line" crew is somewhat unheard of in this industry. We provided opportunities to over 300 youth in this community both in front and behind the camera, and that was perhaps the most rewarding experience of the shoot; to see the kids eyes widen as they became a part of something "larger than their hood".
Looking forward to hearing from you soon!
Lawrence Toledo.
