The Tribeca Film Festival, which has grown by leaps and bounds since its post-9/11 origins, has some intriguing Latin goodies in its lineup this year. Screenings begin Wednesday. Get tickets early for the hot ones, now that the weather's nice people will come out.
The one that tops my personal list is Paraiso Travel, based on Jorge Franco's novel of the same name. Franco is likely the hottest Colombian writer of his generation, and this is the second of his novels that's been adapted to the screen. The other is Rosario Tijeras, which I don't think was released widely in the U.S., but has a title song by Juanes.
Paraiso Travel takes place between Medellín and Jackson Heights, and covers the whole sordid overland migration route. It's been a big hit in Colombia since its release in January.
Another big Latin American hit is the Brazilian Tropa de Elite, which uses documentary-style shooting to tell the story of special forces units and their brutal work in the favelas as well as the corruption rampant within police ranks.
The subject of the documentary Chevolution is one I've thought about a lot: how did the iconic Korda image become such an international selling point? In a recent trip in Santo Domingo, I saw it all over bootlegged merch, and I am more than sure that the closest most buyers have come to the Argie revolutionary is the Gael Garcia Bernal movie.
As you've heard before, I have a personal connection to Going on 13, a documentary about four California brown girls (one African-American, one Indian immigrant, one Mexican-American, one Latina-white halfie). But seriously, it's touching and clear-eyed and respectful of the girls' individuality. Go see it! Take your nieces, neighbors' kids, little cousins.
Another doc, My Life Inside, is a little less cheery. It's about Rosa Jiménez, a Mexican immigrant who ended up tried for murder after the accidental death of her babysitting charge. The wheels of justice do not grind equally for all.
Don't know much about the "hypnotic sexual thriller" Amor, Dolor & Viceversa from Mexico, but check out the description, maybe it floats your boat.
There are three artist-related docs: A Portrait of Diego on the frog-like Mexican muralist Diego Rivera, Celia the Queen on the late Cuban diva Celia Cruz and Old Man Bebo about still alive but on in years Cuban pianist Bebo Valdés. Of the three, I'm betting on the last, fresher in subject at the very least.
Among the shorts, check out El Camino de Ana with the fabulous Marisa Paredes, La Hora Cero from Mexico, Bom Garoto from Brazil and the Latin casanova lesson Mamitas.
If you're curious about any of these movies, check their profiles at the Tribeca site. Most come with a trailer.
One screening you won't see me at is "90 Miles The Documentary," a making-of piece about Gloria Estefan's album by the same name. (Can we place a moratorium on "90 miles" references for anything Cuban?)
[images of Paraiso Travel, Tropa de Elite, Going on 13 and Old Man Bebo via Tribeca Film Fest site]
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Posted by: rickdog | April 21, 2008 at 03:58 PM