Que Patza, CineLocos? Father Geek here with another chapter of Latin-AICN for this Tuesday. First off I've found a cool site for all of you called LatinoReview.com with lots info aimed at you. They had a review of a wonderful little film reviewed By RON HENRIQUES... THE CIRCLE... Written By Kambozia Partovia, Directed By Jafar Panahi Running Time 86 Mins, 1.85:1 Academy Standard Aspect Ratio With English Subtitles...

Recently released are three foreign films that rank high above just about every American release this year. From Mexico comes Amores Perros, Iran brings us The Circle and from France comes With A Friend Like Harry. Just as foreign films have inspired many classic American filmmakers these latest filmmaker’s have learned from us. These films also show us that the studio system has forgotten what makes a great film.

Jafar Panahi's "The Circle" is an interesting film because of the fear and anxiety it produces and yet it moves at such speed. Just as we get to know characters new ones are introduced and as we get to know them the cycle occurs again. The film begins in a hospital with the birth of a child. As the grandmother discovers the child is a girl she leaves in fear that her in-laws will force her daughter to divorce because they were promised a boy. We are then introduced to three women who have just been released from prison. When the police detain one of them the other two hide behind a car. As the two travel in shroud through the streets the older women arranges for the younger to escape from the city with a bus ticket. Immediately we switch gears and are introduced to another woman who has recently escaped from prison. She is pregnant with the child of her late husband who was executed and is seeking an abortion. Before we know it Panahi switches again and again. All of these women are looked down upon in their culture because they are ex-convicts, they are unmarried and most of all they are women.

Panahi has fashioned a film that leaves you with a sense of uneasiness and anxiety. Following the women of this film I was on the edge of my seat. I haven't been this riveted in quite a while. It's almost like watching an action film. "The Circle" is an interesting look into Iranian culture because the women are the true victims. The men of this film are not even really seen, they are basically faceless. As we follow the characters I was in fear for their lives. One of the characters gets off a bus to buy a men's shirt as a gift and when she returns the place is full of police. In this culture you could turn around and find your friend arrested and may never see them again. The penalties are as harsh as the laws I'm sure of it. "The Circle" was banned in Iran because of the truth it reveals. Panahi himself had to hold a private screening in Iran in secret. Hundreds of people showed up because they were interested in what was causing controversy. The women in the film are not even actors but their portrayals have more heart that any in recent American films. This film should be seen because it reminds us that civil rights have not improved in many parts of the world.

Make sure to check out their site. Next por un otra contribucion we have the following review that was sent in to Father Geek this morning from Pablo...

Just saw last weekend the new Alfonso ("The Little Princess", "Great Expectations") Cuarón movie called "Y Tu Mamá También" (And Your Mom Too). It's quite good, so I whipped up this bit of drivel for your consideration.

Thank you for your great site.

Mexican cinema has gone through a good number of stages; thirty years ago it was firmly set in the "singing charro" and "luchador" genres. Then, in the seventies, everything was about "ficheras" (hookers) and "albures" (vulgar double entendres). Ten years ago, following the lead of most Latinamerican literature, it was the turn of the stories about old people living in the very poor towns that make up most of the Mexican countryside. And beginning a few years ago, all movies are about the disgruntled youth of the new century.

"And Your Mom Too" (Y Tu Mamá También) is one of the best films of this genre. Director Alfonso Cuarón, after earning some fame in the U.S. with such movies as "The Little Princess" and "Great Expectations", returns to Mexico to make a movie that is light in content but deep in in its straight portrayal of the apathy and hedonism found in the youthful generation that is growing up in a country full of contradictions, produced by the endless collisions between the North American cultural influence and the very conservative national traditions.

Also, it's a very cool road movie.

The narrative structure of "And Your Mom Too", follows the road movie formula by the book: Tenoch and Julio are two Mexican teenagers, inseparable friends, who, in a wedding, meet Luisa, a young and attractive Spanish woman. To impress her, they invite her to an imaginary trip to a non-existent beach, a supposed paradise on earth called "Boca del Cielo" (Mouth of Heaven) that's untouched by the tourism industry. She dismisses them as infatuated kids, but later some rough circumstances in the life of Luisa make her accept the invitation. To avoid being caught in a lie, the surprised teens hurriedly organize the trip and soon the threesome take off to the mytical beach. Of course on the road they will experience strong emotional turmoil and will be forever and deeply changed.

Even though its structure is not very original, the execution of the story is so exhuberant and spontaneous that the end result is very entertaining, very funny and even insightful with some pointed comments about contemporary ideologies.

Diego Luna and Gael García Bernal as, respectively, Tenoch and Julio, are a bit unrefined and frequently over the top, but their enthusiasm more than makes up any deficiencies in their technique. Maribel Verdú plays Luisa with plenty of nuances and subtlety, making and otherwise cliched role into a living person and a memorable character.

"And Your Mom Too" is visually somewhat plain, even though it boasts Emanuel Lubezki (of "Sleepy Hollow" fame, no less) as its D.P., but I believe that this is a wise decision. An overly rich cinematography (as used in Ridley Scott's "Thelma & Louise", of the same genre) would take away from the feeling of intimacy that the viewer must have for the characters in order to share their journey. In fact, the style of the movie is so minimalistic that it almost would qualify as a Dogme flick. Almost.

Without implying plagiarism or "homage", this film strikes me very much as a road-moviecized Kevin Smith flick, specifically "Chasing Amy". Here the woman is not a lesbian, but the general tone, sensibilities displayed and character dynamics remind me very much of that movie. Also the profane language and open sexuality are quite similar to those of Smith's flicks. The difference is that "And Your Mom Too" also has plenty of nudity, both male and female, and a very fluid visual style.

So, "And Your Mom Too" is a good example of modern Mexican cinema. Its playful tone and spirited performances more than make up its lack of originality. I heartily recommend it to both followers and haters of Mexican film. And also to those who wish to watch some hot latino action .

I'd give it an 8.5 out of 10

Pablo.

For even more obtuse and pretentious reviews (IN Spanish tambien) from Pablo and his friends, visit cinencanto.com and check out the American as well as Mexican films that they cover there. And lastly from ol' Father Geek today is this story from the set of Robert Rodriguez's ONCE UPON A TIME IN MEXICO deep in the interior of the Central Highlands...

Just got an email from my dad, who moved to San Miguel de Allende, Gto, Mexico from the states about 3 years ago. I'll simply pass it on.

"I've been having fun watching them film a movie called "Once Upon a Time in Mexico." It was written and is being directed by Robert Rodriguez, the guy who made "Pistolero"(Desperado) and "El Mariachi." Some of the actors are Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek, Johnny Depp, Mickey Rourke, Willem Dafoe, Quentin Tarantino, Eva Mendez and Julio (sic)Iglesias."

A lot of scenes are being filmed in the Jardin (main plaza). On the side of a hotel (Posada de San Francisco) across the street they have erected a three story spiral staircase. I'm really curious to see what they do with that.

Yesterday there was a bad accident. A large arc lamp fell over on a woman's head. She's alive, but it really messed her up.

They're filming with a digital camera. I know about digital still cameras, but don't know how the movie version works. Anyway, it's not a very big or heavy thing. It seems about half the crew is from the States and half from Mexico. Mexico has very good technicians.

Last year 114 movies were made in the State of Guanajuato and plans seem to be coming to a head to build film studios in San Miguel next year. It's less expensive to make movies in Mexico and, as I said, there are very good technicians here. Rodriguez expects the film to cost only 30 million.

"Once Upon a Time.." is supposed to be about "A return to the world of action, corruption and politics in Mexico." I don't know about the "return" part. I've been following the political situation in the Municipality of San Miguel for three years now and the amount of corruption boggles my mind. For example, during the administration that was voted out last October, 9 million dollars dissapeared. And I know of one incident after another until I'm becoming like a Mexican and just shrug my shoulders. Corruption seems such an integral part of the system that I wonder if the system could survive without corruption.

P.S. There was a humungous hydraulic crane being used today. It was putting some mysterious looking things on top of the Hotel San Francisco. I'm extra curious now to see what kind of action will be filmed there.

Anyways, fun for my Dad. Hope you get a kick out of it as well...

Cheers,

Torgrae

Father Geek back un last time... I haven't heard from my chief Latin cuate Coffin Joe Jr. this week yet, Buuuuut when I do I'll add his report to this one. Sooooooooooo make sure to check back mas later for ese addition... Until next time... Vaya con Dios... Buuuuuut wait a minute... Here's Coffin Joe Jr. and his report from the heart of the Rain Forest in Brasil...

Hey there, Coffin Joe Jr. here, back with a vengeance, still searching for the flawless bride, and when I find her, she will bear the perfect child! Yes! Just kidding, I´m just here to present another week of news from Latin-AICN. I had some problems with my server, couldn´t reach you guys before, but here it is, enjoy you freaks.

US

-This last week, the latin version of the E! Entertainment Television channel, aired on their latest Top E! News, a behind-the-scenes look at "Vampires: Los Muertos", where their reporter interviewed cast members and gave viewers a peek of the production in Mexico. Jon Bon Jovi spoke about his role as Derek Bliss, the leader of the slayers in this sequel, who is trying to put together a team to take on the fanged creeps. Christian de la Fuente("Driven") plays a priest in the flick, alongside the returning padre Adam, played by Tim Guinee.

-Check out Sônia Braga in the latest episodes of HBO´s "Sex and the City", she will be in three of them, playing a Brazilian artist named Maria Diega Reyes.

-More on "Once Upon a Time in Mexico" forwarded by our Brazilan spy NAN, originally written to her by Rosa:

"Saludos! Today they're shooting in Queretaro.....beautiful place! Future locations for the film: The San Miguel Town Center the 11 - 18 of june; also in San Miguel Allende: the "Café del Jardín" will be an internet cafe; "La Fragua" Bar will be used for a very dramatic shootout, "El Caracol" Hacienda will serve for a kidnap scene (shot), the town's Bullring for a fight sequence; "Las Cazuelas", "Posada Cholita" "La Coronela" y "La Cabaña" (cantinas)in San Luis Potosi and a bunch of other places...i cant remember, will serve as sets.....the film is filled with fast action and murder....they even have 2 Mexican Army tanks standing by! And well in one scene they will even film a massive shootout in a wonderful old church!!!"

-Check out this message, specially all of you Latin "Lord of the Rings" fans:

"We're sending you this message in order to make you aware that the big reunion of Tolkien fans is already underway. Since it became known that The Lord of the Rings was going to be filmed, all of the Tolkien fans in the world got to work. The result of that work is the Beleg Aderthad, the purpose of which is to join all of the Spanish-speaking community together in one of the most ambitious Tolkien events of previous times: the Beleg Aderthad, the massive reunion of lovers of Tolkien, with the purpose of getting together for the premier of The Fellowship of the Ring!

For this, we will unite efforts in order to enjoy the universe created by Tolkien and with the dream, likewise, of enjoying a day of partying on the day the trilogy premiers, the 19th of December. In all the cities of the world, a big challenge awaits us called Beleg Aderthad, and in order to accomplish the challenge, we send you the following internet address: www.tierramedia.net, where you will be able to receive more in-depth information about the project that we're carrying out.

We send you our greetings and give our thanks, Tenna i vinya yomentië !! The organisation of the Beleg Aderthad

Information: Just Click Here Now, or Contact: belegaderthad@tierramedia.net

Thanks to Renirk (TheOneRing.Net ChatRoom) for this translation."

MEXICO

-The Mexican Academy Awards, known as "Ariel", have been given out and surprise, surprise, "Amores Perros" won almost everything, including the Golden Ariel for best film. Director Alejandro González Iñárritu won a Silver Ariel for best director, Gael García Bernal won for best actor, DP Rodrigo Prieto won for best cinematography, and other Silver Ariels were won by "Amores Perros", with best set design, best sound, best special effects, best make-up, best editing, and best actor in a minor role. "Amores Perros" was nominated for 15 Ariels, and ended up winning 11. Congrats to Iñárritu and his team.

I´m done for this week.

Coffin Joe Jr. says:bye.