It’s been a remarkable past year for Free Solo directors Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin. At Telluride, they premiered their first narrative feature Nyad, a dramatization of the relentless pursuit of extreme athlete Diana Nyad to swim from Cuba to Florida without the safety of a shark cage. The Netflix release has gone on to earn Oscar nominations for its stars Annette Bening and Jodie Foster.
But the filmmaking couple hasn’t left the world of nonfiction cinema behind. They return to documentary storytelling this month with Photographer, a National Geographic series about the elite artists who take some of the world’s most remarkable images of wildlife and the human family. Vasarhelyi and Chin join the latest episode of Deadline’s Doc Talk podcast to discuss their six-part series, which profiles NatGeo photographers Paul Nicklen, Cristina Mittermeier, Muhammed Muheisen, Krystle Wright and others.
Vasarhelyi and Chin also share insights from making Nyad,...
But the filmmaking couple hasn’t left the world of nonfiction cinema behind. They return to documentary storytelling this month with Photographer, a National Geographic series about the elite artists who take some of the world’s most remarkable images of wildlife and the human family. Vasarhelyi and Chin join the latest episode of Deadline’s Doc Talk podcast to discuss their six-part series, which profiles NatGeo photographers Paul Nicklen, Cristina Mittermeier, Muhammed Muheisen, Krystle Wright and others.
Vasarhelyi and Chin also share insights from making Nyad,...
- 3/6/2024
- by Matthew Carey
- Deadline Film + TV
Coming of age stories are forever popular for their ability to capture the awkwardness of a person scrambling for a sense of identity alongside the discovery of burgeoning emotions they weren’t previously aware of. As we’ve seen with Greta Gerwig’s Lady Bird and Charlotte Wells’ Aftersun in recent years, teen stories centred around girls don’t need to be restricted to the conventional trope of falling in love for the first time. Instead, these films delve into the relationships that girls have with themselves and their families. Kali Kahn’s Father’s Day continues along this progressive narrative path with its depiction of a teenage girl named Ceci and the discovery of her father’s knotty male behaviour. Kahn expertly captures the questionable conduct of men and the guilt felt when one woman betrays another in subtly authentic ways throughout her short, cleverly allowing a seemingly sparkly...
- 2/29/2024
- by Bex Thackery
- Directors Notes
Kate del Castillo’s Cholawood, Endemol Shine Boomdog Adapt Arturo Perez Reverte’s Novel ‘Revolution’
Mexico City-based Endemol Shine Boomdog has seized the adaptation rights to “La Reina del Sur” author Arturo Pérez-Reverte’s novel, “Revolution” (“Revolución”) with Kate del Castillo’s Cholawood on board as executive producers.
Del Castillo, who plays the titular role in the hit Spanish-language adaptation of “La Reina del Sur” will also star in the upcoming series based on the Mexican revolution.
“I am extremely excited to join forces once again with Arturo Pérez-Reverte, especially in a story set in my country. Arturo is undoubtedly a great lover of Mexico’s history… a history that I learned and love thanks to my father and my roots. Arturo and I share a successful professional partnership, and I am confident that ‘Revolución’ will strengthen that success,” she said.
Published in October 2022, “Revolución” delves into the essence of human nature in an adventure that unfolds against the dramatic canvas of the Mexican Revolution...
Del Castillo, who plays the titular role in the hit Spanish-language adaptation of “La Reina del Sur” will also star in the upcoming series based on the Mexican revolution.
“I am extremely excited to join forces once again with Arturo Pérez-Reverte, especially in a story set in my country. Arturo is undoubtedly a great lover of Mexico’s history… a history that I learned and love thanks to my father and my roots. Arturo and I share a successful professional partnership, and I am confident that ‘Revolución’ will strengthen that success,” she said.
Published in October 2022, “Revolución” delves into the essence of human nature in an adventure that unfolds against the dramatic canvas of the Mexican Revolution...
- 1/24/2024
- by Anna Marie de la Fuente
- Variety Film + TV
A bio-series about iconic ranchera singer Chavela Vargas starring “La Reina del Sur” lead Kate del Castillo is in the works. Colombia’s Caracol Televisión and indie Miracol Media are co-producing “Chavela,” which will trace the tumultuous life and career of the legendary singer.
Del Castillo will transform into Vargas, the mythical woman in the red poncho, who boldly rejected the conventions of her time, paving the way for a unique and groundbreaking journey in the landscape of Mexican popular music.
Her internal battle with personal demons, heartbreak, and alcoholism propelled her to become a trailblazer, stepping onto the stage to sing Mexican songs in a jorongo, the traditional Mexican poncho, and pants. With a guitar pressed against her heart, a tequila in hand, and a pistol holstered on her belt, she mesmerized audiences, captivating both men and women alike.
“I came out of hell, but I did it singing,...
Del Castillo will transform into Vargas, the mythical woman in the red poncho, who boldly rejected the conventions of her time, paving the way for a unique and groundbreaking journey in the landscape of Mexican popular music.
Her internal battle with personal demons, heartbreak, and alcoholism propelled her to become a trailblazer, stepping onto the stage to sing Mexican songs in a jorongo, the traditional Mexican poncho, and pants. With a guitar pressed against her heart, a tequila in hand, and a pistol holstered on her belt, she mesmerized audiences, captivating both men and women alike.
“I came out of hell, but I did it singing,...
- 1/23/2024
- by Anna Marie de la Fuente
- Variety Film + TV
The image of Frida Kahlo, the prominent Mexican painter of the early 20 century, is one of the most replicated and commercialized of any artist in the history of the world. From T-shirts to houseware, merchandise of all sorts emblazoned with her face has turned Kahlo into a kitschy, mainstream, decontextualized emblem for Mexican identity. It doesn’t help that the vast majority of her works are self-portraits. Onscreen, the Salma Hayek-starring Hollywood biopic from director Julie Taymor and Paul Leduc’s 1983’s Mexican-production “Frida Still Life” attempted to decipher the tehuana-clad iconoclast via scripted portrayals.
With all that cultural and media baggage on her shoulders, Carla Gutiérrez dares to construct a documentary using a unique approach to such an imposing subject. An editor taking on directorial duties for the first time, Gutierrez is no stranger to assembling nonfiction portraits of major figures, having cut titles like “Rgb” and “Chavela”. Told mostly in Spanish,...
With all that cultural and media baggage on her shoulders, Carla Gutiérrez dares to construct a documentary using a unique approach to such an imposing subject. An editor taking on directorial duties for the first time, Gutierrez is no stranger to assembling nonfiction portraits of major figures, having cut titles like “Rgb” and “Chavela”. Told mostly in Spanish,...
- 1/20/2024
- by Carlos Aguilar
- Variety Film + TV
Image Source: Itzia Sánchez
There's no doubt that the Mexican music that has come out over the years has been some of the most far-reaching and storied in Latin America, with legends like Vicente Fernandez, Juan Gabriel, and Chavela Vargas all helping to cultivate a distinct legacy. But with her R&b-tinged sound, up-and-coming singer Ilse Adriana Mercado Asencio, better known by her stage name Immasoul, is looking to show the world just how diverse that legacy can be, while championing the blending of Mexican and Caribbean cultures that collide in her hometown of Chetumal.
"Nobody really knows about Chetumal. It's a very unique small town that shares a border with Belize."
"Nobody really knows about Chetumal. It's a very unique small town that shares a border with Belize. It's different from the rest of the country because, culturally, we share a lot with the Caribbean countries," Immasoul tells Popsugar.
There's no doubt that the Mexican music that has come out over the years has been some of the most far-reaching and storied in Latin America, with legends like Vicente Fernandez, Juan Gabriel, and Chavela Vargas all helping to cultivate a distinct legacy. But with her R&b-tinged sound, up-and-coming singer Ilse Adriana Mercado Asencio, better known by her stage name Immasoul, is looking to show the world just how diverse that legacy can be, while championing the blending of Mexican and Caribbean cultures that collide in her hometown of Chetumal.
"Nobody really knows about Chetumal. It's a very unique small town that shares a border with Belize."
"Nobody really knows about Chetumal. It's a very unique small town that shares a border with Belize. It's different from the rest of the country because, culturally, we share a lot with the Caribbean countries," Immasoul tells Popsugar.
- 3/1/2023
- by Miguel Machado
- Popsugar.com
Spain’s Grupo iZen and Argentina-based Non Stop have launched Cacao & Cia, a new shingle aimed at producing content for the global Spanish-speaking market.
With offices in Madrid and Mexico, the joint venture will be headed by Non Stop’s Pedro Dávila, who will lead a creative team in close collaboration with Juliana Barrera from iZen in Madrid.
Among its first projects are biopics of celebrated Argentine Formula 1 race car driver Juan Manuel Fangio and legendary Mexican singer Chavela Vargas. The latter is based on the book “Las verdades de Chavela” by Maria Cortina, which is being adapted by Arantxa Echevarría.
These projects define Cacao & Cia’s upcoming line of content reflecting strong IPs with protagonists closely linked to Latin America and with robust international appeal. This partnership between two strong players is crucial in a highly competitive marketplace where content demand is high, but more players have also jumped into the fray.
With offices in Madrid and Mexico, the joint venture will be headed by Non Stop’s Pedro Dávila, who will lead a creative team in close collaboration with Juliana Barrera from iZen in Madrid.
Among its first projects are biopics of celebrated Argentine Formula 1 race car driver Juan Manuel Fangio and legendary Mexican singer Chavela Vargas. The latter is based on the book “Las verdades de Chavela” by Maria Cortina, which is being adapted by Arantxa Echevarría.
These projects define Cacao & Cia’s upcoming line of content reflecting strong IPs with protagonists closely linked to Latin America and with robust international appeal. This partnership between two strong players is crucial in a highly competitive marketplace where content demand is high, but more players have also jumped into the fray.
- 1/25/2023
- by Anna Marie de la Fuente
- Variety Film + TV
Alvaro la Fuente’s year has been a whirlwind — a product of a budding, but frenetic musical career that has taken him across the world. Prior to releasing his first LP, La Cantera, which came out in May, the Spanish singer, who records under his stage name Guitarricadelafuente, was touring with only a handful of songs under his belt. Many of those tracks were acoustic-driven melodies dressed in La Fuente’s low-hum, classical drawl. But after realizing he wanted to make a full-length album, la Fuente joined forces with Raül Refree,...
- 12/2/2022
- by Vita Dadoo
- Rollingstone.com
Created by Alfred Gough and Miles Millar with episodes directed by Tim Burton, James Marshall and Gandja Morteiro, “Wednesday” on Netflix contains all kinds of creepy and not so creepy music, with contributions by Chris Bacon and themes by Danny Elfman. But it’s also packed with popular songs.
From classic guitar-shred anthems like The Rolling Stones’ “Paint It, Black” to Metallica’s “Nothing Else Matters,” to more modern pop songs like Dua Lipa’s “Physical,” the “Wednesday” soundtrack is eclectic to say the least. Certain sonic touches take place with the help of Wednesday’s cello, which she plays fiercely. She also has a phonograph in her room on which she plays scratchy and staticky records.
Wednesday’s latina roots are also honored with songs like “La Llorona,” “Tierra Rica” and more, with some haunting operas sprinkled throughout.
Also Read:
Joe Jonas on Writing the Song ‘Not Alone’ for ‘Devotion': ‘It Was Exciting,...
From classic guitar-shred anthems like The Rolling Stones’ “Paint It, Black” to Metallica’s “Nothing Else Matters,” to more modern pop songs like Dua Lipa’s “Physical,” the “Wednesday” soundtrack is eclectic to say the least. Certain sonic touches take place with the help of Wednesday’s cello, which she plays fiercely. She also has a phonograph in her room on which she plays scratchy and staticky records.
Wednesday’s latina roots are also honored with songs like “La Llorona,” “Tierra Rica” and more, with some haunting operas sprinkled throughout.
Also Read:
Joe Jonas on Writing the Song ‘Not Alone’ for ‘Devotion': ‘It Was Exciting,...
- 11/24/2022
- by Dessi Gomez
- The Wrap
Click here to read the full article.
Emmy–winning director Daresha Kyi, who writes and produces film and TV in Spanish and English, has signed with WME.
Kyi directed Mama Bears, a film about the impact of a support group for conservative, Christian mothers of LGBTQ children, that debuted in the documentary feature competition at SXSW this year. The doc will also play at Michael Moore’s Traverse City Film Festival.
Kyi also directed a short documentary for Time Studios and the SpringHill Company, Georgia Going Blue, about a Georgia-based grassroots organizations working to fight voter suppression in Georgia and around the U.S.
She is currently in post production on Black Voters Matter, a feature documentary that follows Cliff and April Albright’s and Latosha Brown’s rise from aspiring acolytes to game changing civil rights leaders and the pivotal role they played in helping Georgia flip from red...
Emmy–winning director Daresha Kyi, who writes and produces film and TV in Spanish and English, has signed with WME.
Kyi directed Mama Bears, a film about the impact of a support group for conservative, Christian mothers of LGBTQ children, that debuted in the documentary feature competition at SXSW this year. The doc will also play at Michael Moore’s Traverse City Film Festival.
Kyi also directed a short documentary for Time Studios and the SpringHill Company, Georgia Going Blue, about a Georgia-based grassroots organizations working to fight voter suppression in Georgia and around the U.S.
She is currently in post production on Black Voters Matter, a feature documentary that follows Cliff and April Albright’s and Latosha Brown’s rise from aspiring acolytes to game changing civil rights leaders and the pivotal role they played in helping Georgia flip from red...
- 6/27/2022
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Get in touch to send in cinephile news and discoveries. For daily updates follow us @NotebookMUBI.NEWSChanges continue to ripple throughout the film industry: Following the cancellation of this year's SXSW, the festival has paired up with Amazon Prime and invited filmmakers of their lineup to take part in a 10-day "online festival," streaming on Prime for users in the U.S. Both Cannes and the Venice Film Festival have announced that neither will be moving forward with a digital festival, committing to plans for physical events for later this year. Recommended Viewingnhk World is offering its four part documentary, 10 Years with Hayao Miyazaki, on its website for free. The series offers an exclusive look at the animation auteur's production of Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea.A new short film by Jean-Marie Straub, France Against Robots, has premiered on the Kino Slang blog. The film's title is...
- 4/8/2020
- MUBI
Cancun, Mexico — Marking one of the biggest news announcements likely to go down at this year’s MipCancun, Btf Media and Sony Music Spain have inked a strategic content production alliance.
In a first move, Sony Music Spain will board a bioseries on Spanish music legend Isabel Pantoja currently set up at Btf Media. In a second, heralding a new production, Btf Media, Sony Music Spain and Mexico’s Endemol Shine Boomdog will co-produce a bioseries on famed Spanish writer-singer Joaquín Sabina.
Both the series range over their subjects’ whole lives. The Isabel Pantoja series is conceived as a 13-episode single season, Sabina’s as two seasons, said Oriol Uria, Btf Media, Ep and founder. Manuel Rios is heading up the writers’ team on the Sabina bioseries.
The announcement was made Wednesday at MipCancun by José María Barbat and Sergi Reitg, respectively president and contents director at Sony Music Spain,...
In a first move, Sony Music Spain will board a bioseries on Spanish music legend Isabel Pantoja currently set up at Btf Media. In a second, heralding a new production, Btf Media, Sony Music Spain and Mexico’s Endemol Shine Boomdog will co-produce a bioseries on famed Spanish writer-singer Joaquín Sabina.
Both the series range over their subjects’ whole lives. The Isabel Pantoja series is conceived as a 13-episode single season, Sabina’s as two seasons, said Oriol Uria, Btf Media, Ep and founder. Manuel Rios is heading up the writers’ team on the Sabina bioseries.
The announcement was made Wednesday at MipCancun by José María Barbat and Sergi Reitg, respectively president and contents director at Sony Music Spain,...
- 11/14/2018
- by John Hopewell and Emiliano De Pablos
- Variety Film + TV
Reminding me that I don't know anything, really, Chavela is a 'music doc' that proves to be more revealing than that marketing term might imply. Out on home video from Music Box Films today (January 2, 2018), Chavela is a biography of musical artist Chavela Vargas, who touched millions with her talents as a singer, though 'singer' only begins to suggest her interpretive abilities. According to experts (and fans) who testify to her emotional artistry, Chavela could transmit the heartfelt feelings behind the words in the songs she sang, in a direct manner that few in her field could ever approximate. I admit to a large blind spot when it comes to Chavela's music. She performed ranchera songs which, in my mind and back to...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
- 1/2/2018
- Screen Anarchy
Fresh off the New York Film Festival, Sean Baker’s acclaimed “The Florida Project” (A24) sprinted ahead of the over-crowded fall specialty pack, as some 35 titles launched in limited runs this weekend. Backed by some of the best reviews of the year, the Cannes pickup marks Baker’s breakout following succès d’estime “Tangerine.”
“Victoria & Abdul” (Focus) is setting the early pace for this awards season’s contenders, with Judi Dench showing yet again her strength as a draw.
Most other openings appealed to niche audiences, with several documentaries competing to get review attention that might position them for later awards consideration. While another Nyff title, Agnes Varda and J.R.’s “Faces, Places” (Cohen), nabbed the best reviews, none did more than modest business.
Opening
The Florida Project (A24) – Metacritic: 94; Festivals include: Cannes, Toronto, New York 2017
$152,622 in 4 theaters; PTA (per theater average): $38,156
Sean Baker’s sixth feature follows his...
“Victoria & Abdul” (Focus) is setting the early pace for this awards season’s contenders, with Judi Dench showing yet again her strength as a draw.
Most other openings appealed to niche audiences, with several documentaries competing to get review attention that might position them for later awards consideration. While another Nyff title, Agnes Varda and J.R.’s “Faces, Places” (Cohen), nabbed the best reviews, none did more than modest business.
Opening
The Florida Project (A24) – Metacritic: 94; Festivals include: Cannes, Toronto, New York 2017
$152,622 in 4 theaters; PTA (per theater average): $38,156
Sean Baker’s sixth feature follows his...
- 10/8/2017
- by Tom Brueggemann
- Indiewire
Chavela co-director Dareshi Kyi talks about making the documentary on Chavela Vargas, the ranchera singer extraordinaire, and why the biggest obstacle was getting Spanish director Pedro Almodovar on camera to talk about his muse. It's a gripping film about an artist who channeled her feeling of rejection into her art. It's now playing at the Landmark's Nuart Theatre in Los Angeles.
Read More ...
Read More ...
- 10/6/2017
- by info@cinemovie.tv (Super User)
- CineMovie
Androgynous long before it was stylish, Chavela Vargas burst onto the Mexican music scene in 1942 in a long braid, trousers and a poncho, tequila bottle in hand and singing like a man. The captivating documentary “Chavela,” directed by Catherine Gund (“Born to Fly”) and Daresha Kyi, mesmerizes with its impressionistic blend of archival photos, musical performances, concert footage and candid interviews with the legendary singer herself, as well with her ardent friends like Pedro Almodóvar and former lovers. One of her most famous paramours was Frida Kahlo: Their passionate affair comes to life via Vargas’s eloquent recollections, and Gund.
- 10/2/2017
- by Claudia Puig
- The Wrap
Iconic musical artist Chavela Vargas' life story is told in a new documentary, Chavela through interviews with Spanish film director Pedro Almodóvar, Latin music giants like Miguel Bose, Eugenia Leon, Tania Libertad and more. The revealing film includes never before seen interviews and performances, as well as anecdotes told by some of her most intimate friends. Watch a preview below.
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Read More ...
- 8/7/2017
- by info@cinemovie.tv (Super User)
- CineMovie
The 2017 Outfest festival ran from July 6-16.
Los Angeles-based nonprofit Outfest has announced the award winners of its 2017 Outfest Los Angeles Lgbt Film Festival, presented by HBO.
The Us grand jury prize was awarded to Jennifer Reeder for her Chicago-set mother-daughter drama Signature Move (pictured), and the Us documentary grand jury prize went to Catherine Gund and Daresha Kyi’s Chavela profiling artist Chavela Vargas.
The Chances, created by Shoshanna Stern and Josh Feldman and directed by Anna Kerrigan, won the Best Narrative Audience Award, while the Audience Award for Best First Us Narrative Feature went to Albert Alarr for A Million Happy Nows.
Outfest’s International grand jury prize was awarded to South African film The Wound, directed by John Trengove. The Us Narrative Jury Prize Best Actor went to Luka Kain for his performance in Saturday Church, while the Us Narrative Jury Prize Best Actress was awarded to Ever Mainard for her role in [link...
Los Angeles-based nonprofit Outfest has announced the award winners of its 2017 Outfest Los Angeles Lgbt Film Festival, presented by HBO.
The Us grand jury prize was awarded to Jennifer Reeder for her Chicago-set mother-daughter drama Signature Move (pictured), and the Us documentary grand jury prize went to Catherine Gund and Daresha Kyi’s Chavela profiling artist Chavela Vargas.
The Chances, created by Shoshanna Stern and Josh Feldman and directed by Anna Kerrigan, won the Best Narrative Audience Award, while the Audience Award for Best First Us Narrative Feature went to Albert Alarr for A Million Happy Nows.
Outfest’s International grand jury prize was awarded to South African film The Wound, directed by John Trengove. The Us Narrative Jury Prize Best Actor went to Luka Kain for his performance in Saturday Church, while the Us Narrative Jury Prize Best Actress was awarded to Ever Mainard for her role in [link...
- 7/17/2017
- ScreenDaily
If you enjoyed Scott Drebit's recent It Came From the Tube column on Wes Craven's Summer of Fear, then you'll be pleased to know that Music Box Films' Doppelgänger Releasing has announced a Collector's Edition Blu-ray, DVD, and VOD release for the 1978 TV movie, with plans to unleash the movie's dark magic sometime this summer.
Stay tuned to Daily Dead for more updates on this home media release, including the cover art and release date, and check out the official press release for more details:
Press Release: Chicago, Il (June 1, 2017) – In the early Seventies, he convinced us that The Hills Have Eyes…In the Eighties, he plunged audiences into A Nightmare on Elm Street…In the Nineties, he made audiences Scream…
This summer, Master of Horror Wes Craven returns with his 1978 cult favorite Summer of Fear, also known as Stranger in Our House, starring Linda Blair, Lee Purcell,...
Stay tuned to Daily Dead for more updates on this home media release, including the cover art and release date, and check out the official press release for more details:
Press Release: Chicago, Il (June 1, 2017) – In the early Seventies, he convinced us that The Hills Have Eyes…In the Eighties, he plunged audiences into A Nightmare on Elm Street…In the Nineties, he made audiences Scream…
This summer, Master of Horror Wes Craven returns with his 1978 cult favorite Summer of Fear, also known as Stranger in Our House, starring Linda Blair, Lee Purcell,...
- 6/2/2017
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
Keep up with the always-hopping film festival world with our weekly Film Festival Roundup column. Check out last week’s Roundup right here.
Lineup Announcements
– Frameline, the world’s longest-running and largest showcase of queer cinema, is pleased to announce that Frameline41, the San Francisco International Lgbtq Film Festival, will take place June 15-25, 2017 in the San Francisco Bay Area. The Festival celebrates the spectrum and intersection of identities that make up the worldwide Lgbtq community.
With an expected attendance of 65,000 at its five venues, including a full week of programming in the East Bay, Frameline41 will draw film lovers, media artists, and Lgbtq communities from across the globe to discover the best in queer cinema among its 147 films. More than 19 countries will be represented, including Armenia, Cuba, Mexico, Philippines, South Africa, Taiwan, and Vietnam. The 2017 slate proudly comprises 40 percent of films from women directors.
“Frameline41’s films shine a...
Lineup Announcements
– Frameline, the world’s longest-running and largest showcase of queer cinema, is pleased to announce that Frameline41, the San Francisco International Lgbtq Film Festival, will take place June 15-25, 2017 in the San Francisco Bay Area. The Festival celebrates the spectrum and intersection of identities that make up the worldwide Lgbtq community.
With an expected attendance of 65,000 at its five venues, including a full week of programming in the East Bay, Frameline41 will draw film lovers, media artists, and Lgbtq communities from across the globe to discover the best in queer cinema among its 147 films. More than 19 countries will be represented, including Armenia, Cuba, Mexico, Philippines, South Africa, Taiwan, and Vietnam. The 2017 slate proudly comprises 40 percent of films from women directors.
“Frameline41’s films shine a...
- 5/26/2017
- by Kate Erbland
- Indiewire
Screen critics recommend the top films at this year’s Berlinale.
Read more:
Berlin Film Festival 2017: winners revealed
A Fantastic Woman
Dir: Sebastián Lelio
Our critic said: “Driven by a powerhouse performance by mesmerising transgender actress Vega, the fifth feature from Sebastián Lelio combines urgent naturalism with occasional flickers of fantasy to impressive, and wrenchingly emotional effect.”
International sales: Funny Balloons contact@funny-balloons.com
Read the full review Here
Have A Nice Day
Dir. Liu Jian
Our critic said: “Liu Jian’s stunning animation is both a visceral thriller and astute political statement about China’s place in the modern world.”
International sales: International sales: Memento Films International sales@memento-films.com
Read the full review Here
Summer 1993
Dir. Carla Simón
Our critic said: “Entered in the Berlinale’s Generation Kplus sidebar but winner of the festival’s overall best first feature award, Catalan director Carla Simon’s debut is both tender and determined as it relates...
Read more:
Berlin Film Festival 2017: winners revealed
A Fantastic Woman
Dir: Sebastián Lelio
Our critic said: “Driven by a powerhouse performance by mesmerising transgender actress Vega, the fifth feature from Sebastián Lelio combines urgent naturalism with occasional flickers of fantasy to impressive, and wrenchingly emotional effect.”
International sales: Funny Balloons contact@funny-balloons.com
Read the full review Here
Have A Nice Day
Dir. Liu Jian
Our critic said: “Liu Jian’s stunning animation is both a visceral thriller and astute political statement about China’s place in the modern world.”
International sales: International sales: Memento Films International sales@memento-films.com
Read the full review Here
Summer 1993
Dir. Carla Simón
Our critic said: “Entered in the Berlinale’s Generation Kplus sidebar but winner of the festival’s overall best first feature award, Catalan director Carla Simon’s debut is both tender and determined as it relates...
- 2/21/2017
- ScreenDaily
Screen critics recommend the top films at this year’s Berlinale.
Read more:
Berlin Film Festival 2017: winners revealed
A Fantastic Woman
Dir: Sebastián Lelio
Our critic said: “Driven by a powerhouse performance by mesmerising transgender actress Vega, the fifth feature from Sebastián Lelio combines urgent naturalism with occasional flickers of fantasy to impressive, and wrenchingly emotional effect.”
International sales: Funny Balloons contact@funny-balloons.com
Read the full review Here
Have A Nice Day
Dir. Liu Jian
Our critic said: “Liu Jian’s stunning animation is both a visceral thriller and astute political statement about China’s place in the modern world.”
International sales: International sales: Memento Films International sales@memento-films.com
Read the full review Here
Summer 1993
Dir. Carla Simón
Our critic said: “Entered in the Berlinale’s Generation Kplus sidebar but winner of the festival’s overall best first feature award, Catalan director Carla Simon’s debut is both tender and determined as it relates...
Read more:
Berlin Film Festival 2017: winners revealed
A Fantastic Woman
Dir: Sebastián Lelio
Our critic said: “Driven by a powerhouse performance by mesmerising transgender actress Vega, the fifth feature from Sebastián Lelio combines urgent naturalism with occasional flickers of fantasy to impressive, and wrenchingly emotional effect.”
International sales: Funny Balloons contact@funny-balloons.com
Read the full review Here
Have A Nice Day
Dir. Liu Jian
Our critic said: “Liu Jian’s stunning animation is both a visceral thriller and astute political statement about China’s place in the modern world.”
International sales: International sales: Memento Films International sales@memento-films.com
Read the full review Here
Summer 1993
Dir. Carla Simón
Our critic said: “Entered in the Berlinale’s Generation Kplus sidebar but winner of the festival’s overall best first feature award, Catalan director Carla Simon’s debut is both tender and determined as it relates...
- 2/21/2017
- ScreenDaily
Screen critics recommend the top films at this year’s Berlinale.
Read more:
Berlin Film Festival 2017: winners revealed
A Fantastic Woman
Dir: Sebastián Lelio
Our critic said: “Driven by a powerhouse performance by mesmerising transgender actress Vega, the fifth feature from Sebastián Lelio combines urgent naturalism with occasional flickers of fantasy to impressive, and wrenchingly emotional effect.”
International sales: Funny Balloons contact@funny-balloons.com
Read the full review Here
Have A Nice Day
Dir. Liu Jian
Our critic said: “Liu Jian’s stunning animation is both a visceral thriller and astute political statement about China’s place in the modern world.”
International sales: International sales: Memento Films International sales@memento-films.com
Read the full review Here
Summer 1993
Dir. Carla Simón
Our critic said: “Entered in the Berlinale’s Generation Kplus sidebar but winner of the festival’s overall best first feature award, Catalan director Carla Simon’s debut is both tender and determined as it relates...
Read more:
Berlin Film Festival 2017: winners revealed
A Fantastic Woman
Dir: Sebastián Lelio
Our critic said: “Driven by a powerhouse performance by mesmerising transgender actress Vega, the fifth feature from Sebastián Lelio combines urgent naturalism with occasional flickers of fantasy to impressive, and wrenchingly emotional effect.”
International sales: Funny Balloons contact@funny-balloons.com
Read the full review Here
Have A Nice Day
Dir. Liu Jian
Our critic said: “Liu Jian’s stunning animation is both a visceral thriller and astute political statement about China’s place in the modern world.”
International sales: International sales: Memento Films International sales@memento-films.com
Read the full review Here
Summer 1993
Dir. Carla Simón
Our critic said: “Entered in the Berlinale’s Generation Kplus sidebar but winner of the festival’s overall best first feature award, Catalan director Carla Simon’s debut is both tender and determined as it relates...
- 2/21/2017
- ScreenDaily
Screen critics recommend the top films at this year’s Berlinale.
Read more:
Berlin Film Festival 2017: winners revealed
A Fantastic Woman
Dir: Sebastián Lelio
Our critic said: “Driven by a powerhouse performance by mesmerising transgender actress Vega, the fifth feature from Sebastián Lelio combines urgent naturalism with occasional flickers of fantasy to impressive, and wrenchingly emotional effect.”
International sales: Funny Balloons contact@funny-balloons.com
Read the full review Here
Have A Nice Day
Dir. Liu Jian
Our critic said: “Liu Jian’s stunning animation is both a visceral thriller and astute political statement about China’s place in the modern world.”
International sales: International sales: Memento Films International sales@memento-films.com
Read the full review Here
Summer 1993
Dir. Carla Simón
Our critic said: “Entered in the Berlinale’s Generation Kplus sidebar but winner of the festival’s overall best first feature award, Catalan director Carla Simon’s debut is both tender and determined as it relates...
Read more:
Berlin Film Festival 2017: winners revealed
A Fantastic Woman
Dir: Sebastián Lelio
Our critic said: “Driven by a powerhouse performance by mesmerising transgender actress Vega, the fifth feature from Sebastián Lelio combines urgent naturalism with occasional flickers of fantasy to impressive, and wrenchingly emotional effect.”
International sales: Funny Balloons contact@funny-balloons.com
Read the full review Here
Have A Nice Day
Dir. Liu Jian
Our critic said: “Liu Jian’s stunning animation is both a visceral thriller and astute political statement about China’s place in the modern world.”
International sales: International sales: Memento Films International sales@memento-films.com
Read the full review Here
Summer 1993
Dir. Carla Simón
Our critic said: “Entered in the Berlinale’s Generation Kplus sidebar but winner of the festival’s overall best first feature award, Catalan director Carla Simon’s debut is both tender and determined as it relates...
- 2/21/2017
- ScreenDaily
I Am Not Your Negro As the 67th edition of the Berlin Film Festival starts to wind down, the first award winners have been announced.
The Panorama audience awards were given to Oscar-nominated documentary I Am Not Your Negro – Raoul Peck's examination of Us race relations through the work of James Baldwin and his three assassinated friends - and Philippe van Leeuw's drama about a family under siege in war-torn Syria Insyriated.
The audience vote runners up in the audience vote were Catherine Gund and Daresha Kyi's documentary portrait of singer Chavela Vargas, Chavela and Naoko Ogigami's drama Close Knit.
The independent jury awards were also announced.
Prizes Of The International Short Film Jury
Berlin Short Film Nominee For The European Film Awards
The Artificial Humours (Os Humores Artificiais) by Gabriel Abrantes
Prizes Of The Ecumenical Jury
Competition prize:
On Body and Soul (Testről és lélekről...
The Panorama audience awards were given to Oscar-nominated documentary I Am Not Your Negro – Raoul Peck's examination of Us race relations through the work of James Baldwin and his three assassinated friends - and Philippe van Leeuw's drama about a family under siege in war-torn Syria Insyriated.
The audience vote runners up in the audience vote were Catherine Gund and Daresha Kyi's documentary portrait of singer Chavela Vargas, Chavela and Naoko Ogigami's drama Close Knit.
The independent jury awards were also announced.
Prizes Of The International Short Film Jury
Berlin Short Film Nominee For The European Film Awards
The Artificial Humours (Os Humores Artificiais) by Gabriel Abrantes
Prizes Of The Ecumenical Jury
Competition prize:
On Body and Soul (Testről és lélekről...
- 2/18/2017
- by Amber Wilkinson
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
Exclusive: Chavela Vargas documentary sells to Us and France.
Madrid-based sales agent Latido has scored key territory deals on Chavela, the documentary by Catherine Gund and Daresha Kyi which premiered at this week’s Berlin Film Festival in the Panorama strand.
The documentary about iconic Mexican singer Chavela Vargas has gone to Bodega Films in France and The Film Collaborative in the Us. A deal has been closed with Portugal (Leopardo Filmes), and Latido is reporting interest from Israel and Germany.
A bidding war is underway between two companies in Spain, which comes as no surprise considering the popularity of Chavela Vargas’ music in the country. Her songs are closely related to Pedro Almodóvar’s films and the director had personal involvement in the singer’s revival in the later years of her career.
Further titles on Latido’s line-up to have inked deals include Spanish war film Rescue Under Fire, which is set...
Madrid-based sales agent Latido has scored key territory deals on Chavela, the documentary by Catherine Gund and Daresha Kyi which premiered at this week’s Berlin Film Festival in the Panorama strand.
The documentary about iconic Mexican singer Chavela Vargas has gone to Bodega Films in France and The Film Collaborative in the Us. A deal has been closed with Portugal (Leopardo Filmes), and Latido is reporting interest from Israel and Germany.
A bidding war is underway between two companies in Spain, which comes as no surprise considering the popularity of Chavela Vargas’ music in the country. Her songs are closely related to Pedro Almodóvar’s films and the director had personal involvement in the singer’s revival in the later years of her career.
Further titles on Latido’s line-up to have inked deals include Spanish war film Rescue Under Fire, which is set...
- 2/14/2017
- ScreenDaily
Nobody employs tortured, torchy vocals to quite such lush emotional effect onscreen as Pedro Almodovar. The Spanish maestro is among those paying loving tribute to one of his favorites muses, Mexican ranchera specialist Chavela Vargas, in this celebratory legacy documentary. A hard-drinking rebel who shredded the prevailing stereotype of the fem and flirty, hip-swinging senorita in Mexican popular music, the singer commands the stage in passionate performances throughout Chavela, owning a trademark androgynous look of ponchos over pants that made her a queer icon long before she openly defined herself as a lesbian at age 81.
A natural for Lgbt...
A natural for Lgbt...
- 2/12/2017
- by David Rooney
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The premiere post-tiff destination (September 20-25th) in the film community and a major leg up for narrative and non-fiction films in development, the Independent Filmmaker Project (Ifp) announced a whopping 140 projects selected for the Project Forum at the upcoming Ifp Independent Film Week. Made up of several sections (Rbc’s Emerging Storytellers program, No Borders International Co-Production Market and Spotlight on Documentaries), we find latest updates from the likes of docu-helmers Doug Block (112 Weddings) and Lana Wilson (After Tiller), and among the narrative items we find headliners in Andrew Haigh (coming off the well received 45 Years), Sophie Barthes (Cold Souls and Madame Bovary), Terence Nance (An Oversimplification of Her Beauty), Lawrence Michael Levine (Wild Canaries), Jorge Michel Grau (We Are What We Are), Eleanor Burke and Ron Eyal (Stranger Things) and new faces in Sundance’s large family in Charles Poekel (Christmas, Again) and Olivia Newman (First Match). Here...
- 7/22/2015
- by admin
- IONCINEMA.com
If, like newly inaugurated President Enrique Peña Nieto, you've had enough of hearing about Mexico's drug war, this documentary might be for you.
The new documentary "Hecho En Mexico," which premiered last week in Los Angeles, looks to show a brighter side of America's southern neighbor.
“Art, music, and philosophy can free us just for a moment from that drudgery,” the film’s director Duncan Bridgeman told Fox News Latino. “We are just trying to reflect a different Mexico than usually gets reflected on the screen.”
Starring such luminaries of the Mexican musical scene as Cafe Tacuba, Lila Downs and Los Tucanes de Tijuana, the documentary attempts to explore Mexico’s soul through its art.
And if you're still stinging from the death of Mexican legend Chavela Vargas, you'll get a chance to hear her speak -- an ABC/Univision article calls her appearance "easily the most poignant in the 88-minute documentary.
The new documentary "Hecho En Mexico," which premiered last week in Los Angeles, looks to show a brighter side of America's southern neighbor.
“Art, music, and philosophy can free us just for a moment from that drudgery,” the film’s director Duncan Bridgeman told Fox News Latino. “We are just trying to reflect a different Mexico than usually gets reflected on the screen.”
Starring such luminaries of the Mexican musical scene as Cafe Tacuba, Lila Downs and Los Tucanes de Tijuana, the documentary attempts to explore Mexico’s soul through its art.
And if you're still stinging from the death of Mexican legend Chavela Vargas, you'll get a chance to hear her speak -- an ABC/Univision article calls her appearance "easily the most poignant in the 88-minute documentary.
- 12/3/2012
- by The Huffington Post
- Huffington Post
Described as neither a documentary nor a work of fiction, Hecho En Mexico is a homage to all things Mexico. Actor Diego Luna, musical artists Alejandro Fernandez, Chavela Vargas, Julieta Venegas, and Natalia Lafourcade contribute interviews and music to the film. Watch the trailer.
Directed by Duncan Bridgeman, the film focuses on the positive influences out of Mexico given the negative press out of the country south of the border because of the drug war. Mexico's artist lend their voices to Hecho En Mexico through conversations and music about universal themes such as life and death, border issues, the Virgin de Guadalupe, and so much more. With striking visuals, the movie captures the rich diversity of Mexican geography, art, music, and culture. It is a rare look at the country's real identity, and an unparalleled celebration of what it truly means to be
Read more...
Directed by Duncan Bridgeman, the film focuses on the positive influences out of Mexico given the negative press out of the country south of the border because of the drug war. Mexico's artist lend their voices to Hecho En Mexico through conversations and music about universal themes such as life and death, border issues, the Virgin de Guadalupe, and so much more. With striking visuals, the movie captures the rich diversity of Mexican geography, art, music, and culture. It is a rare look at the country's real identity, and an unparalleled celebration of what it truly means to be
Read more...
- 10/26/2012
- CineMovie
Pantelion Films has released the official trailer for the music history documentary ‘Hecho en Mexico,’ which was written, directed and produced by Duncan Bridgeman. The trailer features several of the movie’s stars, including Alejandro Fernandez, Kinky, Carla Morrison and Chavela Vargas. ‘Hecho en Mexico,’ which is set to be theatrically released on November 30, features original songs, conversations, reflections, wisdom and humor from many of the greatest performers and minds from Mexico. The film showcases the richness of Mexican music, including traditional, pop rock and rap. The movie also features interviews with such known Mexican personalities as Diego Luna and Lila Downs. Watch the official trailer from ‘Hecho en Mexico’ [ Read More ]
The post Official Trailer for Duncan Bridgeman’s Hecho en Mexico Released appeared first on Shockya.com.
The post Official Trailer for Duncan Bridgeman’s Hecho en Mexico Released appeared first on Shockya.com.
- 10/21/2012
- by Karen Benardello
- ShockYa
Watch the trailer for Pantelion Films' Hecho en Mexico (Made in Mexico) music documentary starring Diego Luna. Duncan Bridgeman writes and directs the film, weaving a cinematic tapestry composed of original songs and insights from the most iconic artists and performers of contemporary Mexico. With striking visuals, the movie captures the rich diversity of Mexican geography, art, music, and culture. It is a rare look at the country's real identity, and an unparalleled celebration of what it truly means to be Hecho en Mexico. The cast includes Alejandro Fernández, Kinky, Lupe Esparza, Los Tucanes de Tijuana, Rubén Albarrán, Carla Morrison, Amandititita, Don Cheto and Chavela Vargas...
- 10/20/2012
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Watch the trailer for Pantelion Films' Hecho en Mexico (Made in Mexico) music documentary starring Diego Luna. Duncan Bridgeman writes and directs the film, weaving a cinematic tapestry composed of original songs and insights from the most iconic artists and performers of contemporary Mexico. With striking visuals, the movie captures the rich diversity of Mexican geography, art, music, and culture. It is a rare look at the country's real identity, and an unparalleled celebration of what it truly means to be Hecho en Mexico. The cast includes Alejandro Fernández, Kinky, Lupe Esparza, Los Tucanes de Tijuana, Rubén Albarrán, Carla Morrison, Amandititita, Don Cheto and Chavela Vargas...
- 10/20/2012
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Hard-drinking, pistol-packing, taboo-breaking singer of Mexican rancheras, revolutionary ballads and tangos
Gut-wrenching renditions of Mexican popular classics combined with a taboo-breaking personality and an iron liver ensured that Chavela Vargas, who has died aged 93, lived her own legend to the full. Vargas's raw, rasping voice and intimate arrangements stripped down well-known rancheras, boleros, revolutionary ballads and tangos to leave them as haunting laments, punctuated by waves of tenderness and bitter irony.
In the 1990s, the Spanish film-maker Pedro Almodóvar, whom Vargas described as her "soulmate", included her music in his films and championed her work, thus ensuring that she will be remembered not only as a tequila-soaked cantina singer from Latin America, but also an international artist who could sell out the most formal venues. "Chavela Vargas turned abandon and desolation into a cathedral within which we all fit," Almodóvar wrote after her death. "She emerged reconciled with the errors...
Gut-wrenching renditions of Mexican popular classics combined with a taboo-breaking personality and an iron liver ensured that Chavela Vargas, who has died aged 93, lived her own legend to the full. Vargas's raw, rasping voice and intimate arrangements stripped down well-known rancheras, boleros, revolutionary ballads and tangos to leave them as haunting laments, punctuated by waves of tenderness and bitter irony.
In the 1990s, the Spanish film-maker Pedro Almodóvar, whom Vargas described as her "soulmate", included her music in his films and championed her work, thus ensuring that she will be remembered not only as a tequila-soaked cantina singer from Latin America, but also an international artist who could sell out the most formal venues. "Chavela Vargas turned abandon and desolation into a cathedral within which we all fit," Almodóvar wrote after her death. "She emerged reconciled with the errors...
- 8/12/2012
- by Jo Tuckman
- The Guardian - Film News
Tags: Morning BrewChavela VargasRashida JonesAmy PoehlerJoseline HernandezCobie SmuldersIMDb2012 Olympics
Good morning! A huge thanks to Heather Hogan for holding it down and doing Morning Brew for the past two weeks while I was in L.A. What a gal.
In some incredibly sad news, Chavela Vargas has passed away at the age of 93. The out lesbian Mexican singer came out at age 81, but defied gender norms throughout her entire career. Rip Miss Vargas.
Rashida Jones is in love with her Parks & Recreation co-star Amy Poehler. She tells HollywoodLife:
I would go gay for her. It doesn’t seem fair that I get to work with her. I love her unconditionally.
Photo by Alexandra Wyman/Getty
Get in line, Rashida! I hope Aubrey Plaza feels the same way about them both.
It looks like Love & Hip-Hop: Atlanta star K. Michelle isn't the only bisexual one on the show. Her co-star, Joseline Hernandez,...
Good morning! A huge thanks to Heather Hogan for holding it down and doing Morning Brew for the past two weeks while I was in L.A. What a gal.
In some incredibly sad news, Chavela Vargas has passed away at the age of 93. The out lesbian Mexican singer came out at age 81, but defied gender norms throughout her entire career. Rip Miss Vargas.
Rashida Jones is in love with her Parks & Recreation co-star Amy Poehler. She tells HollywoodLife:
I would go gay for her. It doesn’t seem fair that I get to work with her. I love her unconditionally.
Photo by Alexandra Wyman/Getty
Get in line, Rashida! I hope Aubrey Plaza feels the same way about them both.
It looks like Love & Hip-Hop: Atlanta star K. Michelle isn't the only bisexual one on the show. Her co-star, Joseline Hernandez,...
- 8/6/2012
- by trishbendix
- AfterEllen.com
Chavela Vargas, who defied gender stereotypes to become one of the most legendary singers in Mexico, died Sunday. She was 93. Her friend and biographer Maria Cortina said Vargas died at a hospital in the city of Cuernavaca, where she had been admitted for heart and respiratory problems. Photos: Hollywood's Notable Deaths of 2012 Vargas rose to fame flouting the Roman Catholic country’s preconceptions of what it meant to be a female singer: singing lusty “ranchera” songs while wearing men’s clothes, carrying a pistol, drinking heavily and smoking cigars. Though she refused to change the pronouns in love songs about
read more...
read more...
- 8/6/2012
- by The Associated Press
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Mosquita Y Mari (Isa: The Film Collaborative) by Aurora Guerrero, a San Fran raised xicana, is an absolutely lovely film about discoveries of oneself and each other. It’s full of moments that are sweet, tender and real. Sometimes they are fleeting and sometimes they linger. Aurora paints her community – immigrant, youth and queer - with such affection and passion that you feel that someone like Aurora will herald a new era in Latino filmmaking. Mosquita Y Mari opens in NYC at Cinema Village August 3rd.
LatinoBuzz: How important was making Mosquita y Mari to you?
Aurora:I spent over 7 years of my life working on this film. It meant alot! I think that ultimately I wanted to tell a love story but in my own way. I wanted to put out there a story that felt familiar to people across sexualities and communities but that also incorporated the layers that can be specific to class and gender and immigration status. It’s 2012 and we had yet to see this love story told within this world and between these two girls. I just felt very profoundly that it was a story I had to share with others. It was time to put out a story like this. And in the process I got to immortalize a time in my life that was special.
LatinoBuzz:With Mosquita Y Mari, Elliot Loves, Four, Joven Y Alocado making the festival circuit and finding success do you think it will give Latinos the courage to continue to represent the gay community in film?
Aurora:Most definitely. I find myself totally inspired by all these films and filmmakers. If you were to watch them back to back you’d realize how they all have something different to share with their audiences. I think this sends a strong message to other filmmakers to aspire to be their own filmmaker. To not only be bold in telling stories with queer storylines but to do it in bold ways. That’s why these films are getting recognized. At least that’s how I see it.
LatinoBuzz:Tell us a horror story making a film…
Aurora:No horror stories, thankfully!
LatinoBuzz:You’re primarily influenced by writers. What do you want your words to do?
Aurora:I hope my visual language inspires others to tell their stories and challenges people’s thinking.
LatinoBuzz:You brought out radiant performances from Fenessa Pineda & Venecia Troncoso. What was that process?
Aurora:It was a wonderful experience working with them. From the very beginning I was intent on studying them very closely. Making sure I had a handle on when they were telling me the truth as actors/people and when they were lying. I was very upfront with them about this. I told them that I was basically going to be their bullshit detector. And if I thought what they were giving me Bs during a scene I would call them out on it. They, in turn, could also call me out on any Bs with regards to the writing. If they felt it forced or wrong then they could talk to me about it and together we’d make changes to it. That was our pact! Looking back there were very, very few times I had to say “Bullshit.” They were extremely invested in their characters and the moments they shared between them. I was blown away by their chemistry. Basically, I just had to make sure I just didn’t get in the way of it.
LatinoBuzz:You end the film on an ambiguous yet perfect note. Who do Mosquita Y Mari grow up to be as realized individuals?
Aurora:Oh, this is a cheating question. That’s not for me to say. That’s for each audience member to imagine. I mean I have my own ideas of who they go on to be but obviously it wasn’t important for me to state that in the film. I think it was more important for me to leave the audience feeling that these girls have gone through a shift in their person, a change. They aren’t the same people they met at the beginning of the film when they first set eyes on each other across the street. Their journey together has definitely made an impact on them, opened them up to something different. I think it was enough to leave audience in that
place. The rest is up to ya’ll to imagine!
LatinoBuzz:Your Bing commercial was hella dope. It’s one of the first times I’ve seen a Latina in a commercial and she wasn’t dancing up a storm with fruit on her head to a conga beat with some suave guy in a ruffled shirt. When is the breakthrough going to come where we are looked at different in the mainstream?
Aurora:I don’t know if it’s going to come via one person “breaking through” or a current of artists staying true to themselves at all times in their career. I think we’re starting to really see that now. Maybe it’s because so many of us, and that includes non-people of color too, are really tired of seeing the Latino stereotypes. I know it has inspired me to be myself without a doubt in my mind. I call myself a queer Xicana at home, in the streets...why not call myself that when I’m being interviewed. It’s who I am and its definitely part of what informs the stories I tell. People have an issue with that then that’s on them. I’m just being
me in this whole process.
LatinoBuzz:You’re an activist - whose Biopic would you make and who is in it?
Aurora:Oh man! So many amazing people to choose from. I would have to say Chavela Vargas cuz she’s fierce, a wonderful vocalist, out queer, and from an era in Mexico that I’m fascinated by.
LatinoBuzz:What was the moment you made your parents the most proud?
Aurora:I wonder what they wouldsay if you asked them. If I had to choose for them I think it would probably be when they saw me on stage at Sundance introducing its world premiere. As I have been paving my career as a filmmaker my parents have been there for me every step of them way. They have believed in my dreams despite how steep the mountain has been. So when Sundance came around they totally got it. I think for them it was like I was finally being announced to the world as a filmmaker.
For more on Mym, Email MosquitayMari@Gmail.comor visit mosquitaymari.com...
LatinoBuzz: How important was making Mosquita y Mari to you?
Aurora:I spent over 7 years of my life working on this film. It meant alot! I think that ultimately I wanted to tell a love story but in my own way. I wanted to put out there a story that felt familiar to people across sexualities and communities but that also incorporated the layers that can be specific to class and gender and immigration status. It’s 2012 and we had yet to see this love story told within this world and between these two girls. I just felt very profoundly that it was a story I had to share with others. It was time to put out a story like this. And in the process I got to immortalize a time in my life that was special.
LatinoBuzz:With Mosquita Y Mari, Elliot Loves, Four, Joven Y Alocado making the festival circuit and finding success do you think it will give Latinos the courage to continue to represent the gay community in film?
Aurora:Most definitely. I find myself totally inspired by all these films and filmmakers. If you were to watch them back to back you’d realize how they all have something different to share with their audiences. I think this sends a strong message to other filmmakers to aspire to be their own filmmaker. To not only be bold in telling stories with queer storylines but to do it in bold ways. That’s why these films are getting recognized. At least that’s how I see it.
LatinoBuzz:Tell us a horror story making a film…
Aurora:No horror stories, thankfully!
LatinoBuzz:You’re primarily influenced by writers. What do you want your words to do?
Aurora:I hope my visual language inspires others to tell their stories and challenges people’s thinking.
LatinoBuzz:You brought out radiant performances from Fenessa Pineda & Venecia Troncoso. What was that process?
Aurora:It was a wonderful experience working with them. From the very beginning I was intent on studying them very closely. Making sure I had a handle on when they were telling me the truth as actors/people and when they were lying. I was very upfront with them about this. I told them that I was basically going to be their bullshit detector. And if I thought what they were giving me Bs during a scene I would call them out on it. They, in turn, could also call me out on any Bs with regards to the writing. If they felt it forced or wrong then they could talk to me about it and together we’d make changes to it. That was our pact! Looking back there were very, very few times I had to say “Bullshit.” They were extremely invested in their characters and the moments they shared between them. I was blown away by their chemistry. Basically, I just had to make sure I just didn’t get in the way of it.
LatinoBuzz:You end the film on an ambiguous yet perfect note. Who do Mosquita Y Mari grow up to be as realized individuals?
Aurora:Oh, this is a cheating question. That’s not for me to say. That’s for each audience member to imagine. I mean I have my own ideas of who they go on to be but obviously it wasn’t important for me to state that in the film. I think it was more important for me to leave the audience feeling that these girls have gone through a shift in their person, a change. They aren’t the same people they met at the beginning of the film when they first set eyes on each other across the street. Their journey together has definitely made an impact on them, opened them up to something different. I think it was enough to leave audience in that
place. The rest is up to ya’ll to imagine!
LatinoBuzz:Your Bing commercial was hella dope. It’s one of the first times I’ve seen a Latina in a commercial and she wasn’t dancing up a storm with fruit on her head to a conga beat with some suave guy in a ruffled shirt. When is the breakthrough going to come where we are looked at different in the mainstream?
Aurora:I don’t know if it’s going to come via one person “breaking through” or a current of artists staying true to themselves at all times in their career. I think we’re starting to really see that now. Maybe it’s because so many of us, and that includes non-people of color too, are really tired of seeing the Latino stereotypes. I know it has inspired me to be myself without a doubt in my mind. I call myself a queer Xicana at home, in the streets...why not call myself that when I’m being interviewed. It’s who I am and its definitely part of what informs the stories I tell. People have an issue with that then that’s on them. I’m just being
me in this whole process.
LatinoBuzz:You’re an activist - whose Biopic would you make and who is in it?
Aurora:Oh man! So many amazing people to choose from. I would have to say Chavela Vargas cuz she’s fierce, a wonderful vocalist, out queer, and from an era in Mexico that I’m fascinated by.
LatinoBuzz:What was the moment you made your parents the most proud?
Aurora:I wonder what they wouldsay if you asked them. If I had to choose for them I think it would probably be when they saw me on stage at Sundance introducing its world premiere. As I have been paving my career as a filmmaker my parents have been there for me every step of them way. They have believed in my dreams despite how steep the mountain has been. So when Sundance came around they totally got it. I think for them it was like I was finally being announced to the world as a filmmaker.
For more on Mym, Email MosquitayMari@Gmail.comor visit mosquitaymari.com...
- 8/3/2012
- by Juan Caceres
- Sydney's Buzz
Chicago – Jane Campion and Julie Taymor are two of the most fascinating directors in modern cinema. They are unafraid to take major gambles, and their audacity has occasionally caused their projects to derail. But on a good day, they are capable of achieving artistic transcendence on a grand scale, as evidenced in Campion’s 1993 masterwork, “The Piano,” and Taymor’s 2002 gem, “Frida.”
Both pictures are bold in their depiction of sexuality and adamant in their refusal to portray their central female characters as victims. Though these women are damaged physically and emotionally by tragic occurrences, their lives are triumphant studies in survival against the odds. What’s particularly interesting is the way in which both women are drawn into unlikely romances with men whose less-than-photogenic features are overshadowed by their magnetism and fierce appreciation for beauty.
Blu-ray Rating: 4.0/5.0
The love story that blooms between a mute pianist, Ada (Holly Hunter...
Both pictures are bold in their depiction of sexuality and adamant in their refusal to portray their central female characters as victims. Though these women are damaged physically and emotionally by tragic occurrences, their lives are triumphant studies in survival against the odds. What’s particularly interesting is the way in which both women are drawn into unlikely romances with men whose less-than-photogenic features are overshadowed by their magnetism and fierce appreciation for beauty.
Blu-ray Rating: 4.0/5.0
The love story that blooms between a mute pianist, Ada (Holly Hunter...
- 2/1/2012
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
As 2009 comes to a close, we take a look back at some of the people and events that made this the Best. Lesbian. Decade. Ever. in pop culture.
Luckily for all of us, there was far more information to have mentioned from the last ten years than we could have included in this brief survey. That's why our lists for each year are not intended to be exhaustive, but are instead snapshots of different memorable moments that included the representation of lesbians and bisexual women in film, television, music, literature, comics, sports and the Internet since the year 2000.
2000
Chavela Vargas[/link] comes out
Mexican ranchera music legend Chavela Vargas publicly came out as a lesbian at the tender age of 81.
Angelina Jolie wins Best Supporting Actress Oscar
Angelina Jolie won an Oscar for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for Girl, Interrupted and told Talk Magazine, "I only play women I would date.
Luckily for all of us, there was far more information to have mentioned from the last ten years than we could have included in this brief survey. That's why our lists for each year are not intended to be exhaustive, but are instead snapshots of different memorable moments that included the representation of lesbians and bisexual women in film, television, music, literature, comics, sports and the Internet since the year 2000.
2000
Chavela Vargas[/link] comes out
Mexican ranchera music legend Chavela Vargas publicly came out as a lesbian at the tender age of 81.
Angelina Jolie wins Best Supporting Actress Oscar
Angelina Jolie won an Oscar for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for Girl, Interrupted and told Talk Magazine, "I only play women I would date.
- 12/31/2009
- by afterellenstaff
- AfterEllen.com
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