On June 11, the 20th edition of the Los Angeles Film Festival will begin with a number of anticipated films at the festival. A number of these include the world premiere of Clint Eastwood's "Jersey Boys" and the LA premieres of "Love Is Strange," "Snowpiercer, and "The Two Faces of January." While these films will be shown in the gala presentations, Latino films will dominate the documentary and narrative competition slates and the international slate.
The LA festival is known for finding new voices in cinema and has also helped launch the career of many filmmakers. This year the Narrative slate is made up of nine features, and three of those films are filled with Latinos or co-productions with Latin American countries. The first Latin American film "Lake Los Angeles" was directed by Mike Ott. The feature stars Roberto Sanchez and Johanna Trujillo and tells the story of a recent U.S. immigrant Cecilia who finds herself in the charge of Francisco, a lonely Cuban immigrant long separated from his own family. The drama is the latest in a line of movies that Ott has directed and that have premiered at the LA Film Fest.
The Argentine and U.S. flick "Recommended by Enrique" will also premiere in the competition slate. The drama was directed by Rania Attieh and Daniel Garcia and tells the story of an aspiring Hollywood actress and a mysterious cowboy who find themselves trapped in a small Texas border town where time seems to stand still. The movie is based on the true story, and the cast is made of newcomers including Lino Varela and Sarah Swinwood. The competition film marks the second feature for the duo Garcia and Attieh.
While "Runoff" is not necessarily a Latino movie, it features a Latino cast and Spanish dialogue. The feature marks the film debut for Kimberly Levin and tells the story of Betty, a committed matriarch who is driven to desperate measures by a failing business, her husband's deteriorating health and a family home on the brink of foreclosure. The film stars Latinos Joseph Melendez and Kivlighan De Montebello.
Meanwhile the Documentary competition will feature one Latino-based film. "Stray Dog" by the Academy Award nominee Debra Granik ("Winter's Bone") will compete in the sidebar. The movie tells the story of Ron "Stray Dog" Hall, a biker and the exploration of his like. The movie features Alicia Soriano Hall, Felipe Angel Padilla Soriano and Felipe de Jesús Padilla Soriano and is likely to be one of the biggest huts at the festival especially with Granik recognition.
The Mexican director Fernando Embicke will return to the festival circuit with "Club Sandwich." The movie will be featured in the international Showcase sidebar and tells the story of mother and son Paloma and Hector whose relationship is tested when Hector meets Jazmin, an assertive young woman his own age who vies for his affections. The movie has been screened at numerous festivals including the New York Film Festival, the Miami International and the San Sebastian Film Festival where it garnered the Best Director award.
The Venezuelan/Spanish co-production, "The Liberator," will also make its North American premiere. The new flick was directed by Alberto Arvelo and stars Edgar Ramirez. The movie tells the story of Simon Bolivar and his journey to Latin American independence. The film premiered at the Toronto Film Festival and scored mixed reviews. However Hispanic audiences will surely be driven to view the epic adventure.
"Natural Sciences" will also be featured n the International showcase. The movie is helmed by first time filmmaker Matías Lucchesi and stars Paula Hertzog and Paola Barrientos. The film tells the story of Lila who tries to escape from a boarding school on horseback. "Natural Sciences" is a co-production between Argentina and France and also features Spanish dialogue.
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