17th ANNUAL SAN DIEGO LATINO FILM FESTIVAL TO SCREEN OVER 40 FEATURE & SHORT MEXICAN FILMS AT UPCOMING MARCH 11-21 CELEBRATION

San Diego, CA. MEDIA ARTS Center San Diego’s 17th Annual San Diego Latino Film Festival is proud to celebrate Mexico’s Bicentennial with an exciting array of Mexican short and feature films. This year’s festival will screen over 40 Mexican films during the March 11-21, 2010 run to take place at UltraStar Mission Valley Cinemas at Hazard Center (7510 Hazard Center, San Diego, CA 92108).

The 2010 San Diego Latino Film Festival will screen such feature films as ARRANCAME LA VIDA (Daniel Gimenez Cacho), TRASPATIO (Ana de la Reguera), CINCO DIAS SIN NORA(Cecilia Suarez), NIKTE (Pedro Armendariz Jr.), PARADAS CONTINUAS (Silverio Palacios), AMAR A MORIR (Bruno Bichir), MORENITA EL ESCANDALO (Maya Zapata), COSAS INSIGNIFICANTES (Barbara Mori), SOLO QUERIO CAMINAR (Diego Luna) and many more.

Additionally, SDLFF 2010 will screen over 20 short films from Mexico, including a special collection of animated shorts, SUERTES, HUMORES Y PEQUEÑAS HISTORIAS DE LA INDEPENDENCIA, in celebration of Mexico’s Bicentennial.

Founder and Executive Director, Ethan van Thillo, is honored to screen such a great array of Mexican films at this year’s festival. “Looking at this year’s line-up, it shows what great diversity the Mexican film industry is producing currently. Our 2010 will screen award-winning art-house films from Mexico, popular films with telenovela stars, animation features, documentaries and even a science-fiction feature this year!”

A complete schedule of Mexican films and screening dates is now online.  Visit our FILMS page and SCHEDULE page to read synopses and purchase tickets online.

FESTIVAL INFORMATION: Media Arts Center San Diego (MACSD) is a non-profit organization with a mission to nurture and support media artists working in film, video, audio, and computer-based multimedia. The San Diego Latino Film Festival was originally established as a student film festival. Since that time, the festival has developed into one of the larger and most well respected Latino film festivals in the country. Over 180,000 people have attended and over 4,000 films/videos from across Latin America and the United States have been screened.
Celebrating the best in international Latino cinema at the longest-running Latino Festival in Southern California, San Diego Latino Film Festival proudly announces its 17th anniversary edition. The Festival will be held from March 11-21, 2010 at UltraStar Mission Valley Cinemas at Hazard Center (7510 Hazard Center Dr. San Diego, Ca 92108). Close to 20,000 festival goers will have the opportunity to attend over 150 screenings, meet approximately 100 actors and filmmakers and attend workshops, live music events, parties and other exciting events.

Sponsors for San Diego Latino Film Festival ‘10 include Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, San Diego Union-Tribune, Night & Day, Signonsandiego.com, Aeromexico, Bank of America, Enlace, Cox Communications, Neighborhood House Association, Cine Latino, Sharp HealthCare, Northwestern Financial, GEO Residencial, SiTV, 100% Actitud, Modeling Training Center, La Cúspide Residencial, John Lenore Company, City of San Diego Commission for Arts & Culture, SanDiego.com, MTS, National Endowment for the Arts, County of San Diego, Nickelodeon, San Ysidro Health Clinic, Univision KBNT 17, Telemundo 33, MyTV 13, La Invasora 99.7, Pulsar 107.3 FM, La Poderosa 860 AM, Jack FM 100.7, Azteca America San Diego 15, ABC10, Blindajes Goldman, El Latino Newspaper, El Mexicano, Latino Public Broadcasting, U.S. Grant Hotel’s The Grant Grill, California State University San Marcos, Brazil Today, Anuncio e Imagen, Gente Bien Magazine, Radio Latina 104.5 FM, La Mejor 99.3 FM, Brazilian Pacific Times, Z90.3 FM, Magic 92.5 FM, EXA 91.7 FM, Centro Cultural Tijuana, TijuaNEO, The SE San Diego Hotel, Diario San Diego, All American Grill, San Diego Magazine, San Diego Hoy, San Diego Padres, Advantage Homes, Actual Mujer Magazine, LegoLand, Amtrak, Think Blue San Diego, Harrah’s Rincon Casino, State Farm Insurance, VeneMovies, Puerto la Boca Argentinian Steak House, Berta’s Latin American Restaurant, Vibra Bank, San Diego Zoo, and Yolanda S. Walther-Meade.

Tickets are $9.50, for general audience, and $7.50 for Students, Seniors, Military & MEDIA ARTS CENTER SAN DIEGO Members (ID required). 2010 Film or Festival Passes are also available. Film Pass is $90, which includes entrance to 11 films, no waiting in lines and VIP seating and the Festival Pass, which is $180 and includes OVER 100 programs, no waiting in lines, VIP seating, 4 workshops, 1 year FREE MEDIA ARTS CENTER SAN DIEGO Amigo membership, and entrance into all Festival Galas.

For additional information about the film festival, group rates, festival schedule, festival passes or the Media Arts Center please call (619)230-1938, EXT. 101 or visit the SDLFF website at www.sdlatinofilm.com.

To interview Ethan van Thillo, Executive Director / Founder of the Media Arts Center San Diego, please call (619) 230-1938 ext. 101 or 619-850-1849, cell #


Mexican Feature Films to Be Screened at 2010 San Diego Latino Film Festival (confirmed films as of January 25, 2010):

2033
Dir. Francisco Laresgoiti (2009, 100 min., Mexico, Spanish w/ English Subtitles)
In the 2033 futuristic society of Villaparaiso, formerly known as Mexico, the general public is manipulated by religion and a dictatorship regimen lead by General Jamaro. Jamaro is also the president of Phaarmax, a company that develops an addictive beverage that allows for the working subclass to work more than 12 hours a day, deforming their bodies. Pablo, a privileged young man looking to find meaning in his life, discovers the cover up and leaves his life of luxury to help out the revolutionaries. With help of Miguel and Lucia, Pablo struggles to find an antidote and fight the status quo. Starring past SDLFF special guest Raul Mendez.

El Agente 00-P2
Dir. Andres Couturier (2008, 93 min., Mexico, Spanish)
Tambo Macaw, an overweight macaw who works as a janitor at the Central Intelligentus Animalus (CIA), dreams of becoming a secret agent. His opportunity arises when he is assigned by mistake the most important mission in the agency's history: stop the wicked plans of Mama Bear and her evil organization. Tambo is helped by JJ, an old turtle that’s in charge of the “advanced” technology lab in the agency and is one of Tambo’s few friends. This odd couple journey into the coolest and craziest adventure ever, which will lead them to far away places where they’ll face weird and dangerous foes. Starring: Jaime Camil and Silvia Pinal

Amar
Dir. Jorge Ramirez Suarez (2009, 107 min., Mexico, Spanish w/ English Subtitles)
Five stories blend with love, sex, the emptiness of being unloved, passion, and desire: Carlos and Susana go to some uncle’s apartment to make love. Meanwhile, Benito, an 80-year-old, performs a serenade to his wife. His neighbor Adela is told that her mother has Alzheimer and the she will be relocated since the Buenos Aires building she lives in will be demolished. Amado catches his son Carlos stealing his money. Gabriel ask Martha’s parents for her hand in marriage but they condition them to get married at their favorite church. And Patricia, 40, a creative agent, sexually abuses Joel, who directs a beer commercial. Starring past SDLFF guests Tony Dalton, Bruno Bichir and Itati Cantoral.

Amar a Morir
Dir. Fernando Lebrija (2009, 119 min., Mexico/Colombia, Spanish w/ English Subtitles)
A young man aggressively seeks an escape from his restrictive life, and finds one in a unique girlfriend in this tense romantic thriller. As the wealthy, handsome and intelligent heir to Vizcaino, Inc., a banking conglomerate launched by his high-rolling father Ricardo, Alejandro Vizcaino appears to have everything one could want. But in truth, Ricardo is thoroughly corrupt and rotten, and controls every aspect of Alejandro's life. Alejandro grows so suffocated from this treatment, and so desperate, that his need to escape propels him into a dangerous drag racing feat, and causes an extreme accident. Shaken, but physically unharmed, Alejandro rejects his life in one sudden maneuver by fleeing town. He ends up in an impoverished beachside community, popular among locals for its surfing, and his eyes soon fall on Rosa, the most beautiful woman he has ever seen. Unfortunately, Rosa lives under the oppressive thumb of a local gangster, causing Alejandro to put his life on the line. Starring Raul Mendez & Silverio Palacios

Arrancame la Vida
Dir. Roberto Sneider (2008, 107 min., Mexico, Spanish w/ English Subtitles)
Based on Ángeles Mastretta’s novel of the same name, “Arráncame la Vida” is set during Mexico’s post-revolutionary period of the 1930s and ’40s. The story begins with the beautiful Catalina Guzmán marrying at an early age the much older, charismatic and cunning general, Andrés Ascencio. Dazzled by his world, Catalina escorts Andrés on his political campaigns, witnessing the fascinating political system as she pursues social justice. She soon discovers, however, that by dedicating her life to Andrés, she has lost her freedom. “Arráncame la Vida” is considered one of the most widely acclaimed and expensive films in the history of Mexican cinema. Starring Daniel Gimenez Cacho & Ana Claudia Talancon.

Chamaco
Dir. Miguel Necoechea (2009, 97 min., Mexico/USA, English w/ Spanish Subtitles)
“Chamaco” tells the story of a father and son who desire to overcome their differences in order to train a young Mexican street fighter who has dreams of becoming a successful boxer. Together, they are committed to finding a way to unite and to become mentors to this young teenager, who seemingly has no shot, but a big dream. The father, a doctor, who left his home in the U.S. to run a medical clinic in Mexico City. The son, a former U.S. Olympic silver medalist boxer who burned out too fast as a pro boxer. And a young Mexican teenager with dreams of becoming his country's new boxing idol and making enough money to pull his family off the streets. Together, they find each other, find themselves and find triumph over their fears. “Chamaco” is truly an inspiring story of redemption and hope in the mold of such films as “Rocky” and “City of God”. Starring: Martin Sheen

Cinco Dias Sin Nora
Dir. Mariana Chenillo (2008, 92 min., Mexico, Spanish w/ English Subtitles)
Director Mariana Chenillo’s first work, “Cinco Dias Sin Nora” begins when Jose finds out that Nora, the woman he'd been married to for 30 years and then divorced, has committed suicide. The rabbi explains to Jose that due to the celebration of the Passover festivities, together with a few other factors, if Nora is not buried that same day, they will have to wait almost five days to be able to carry out the burial. It turns out that before she died, Nora devised a plan in order for him to take care of her funeral. But she missed something; a mysterious photograph left under the bed will lead to an unexpected outcome which will remind us that sometimes the greatest love stories are hidden in the smallest places. Starring: Cecilia Suarez

Cosas Insignificantes
Dir. Andrea Martinez (2008, 98 min., Mexico / Spain, Spanish w/ English Subtitles)
A slice-of-life story set in Mexico City, this delicate and finely observed drama explores themes of forgiveness, mortality, and both familial and romantic love. The characters—who include an elderly child psychiatrist, a brooding young woman who works in a corner cafe, a doctor with a secret that is eating away at his relationship with his lover, and a kid being treated for cancer—search for connection and honesty, but often undermine their own efforts. Director Andrea Martinez assembles a terrific ensemble cast (among them Bárbara Mori and Sin Nombre's Paulina Gaitan) and offers up redemption in the small things that happen in our daily lives.

Morenita, El Escandalo
Dir. Alan Jonsson Gavica (2008, 92 min., Mexico, Spanish w/ English Subtitles)
A first work from Director Alan Jonsson Gavica, “Morenita” tells the story of Matthew, a humble young man who is forced to engage in illicit activities to save his grandfather from an illness. So, he agrees to get involved with a drug dealer and help smuggle drugs from Tijuana to San Diego in a manner as ingenious as preposterous: with racing pigeons. But as might be expected, things go wrong. The solution? Hijacking the image of the Virgin of Guadalupe, causing pandemonium throughout Mexico. Starring: Dagoberto Gama and Maya Zapata

Nikte
Dir. Ricardo Arnaiz (2009, 86 min., Mexico, Spanish w/ English Subtitles)
Nikte is the story of a girl in pre-Columbian times trying to deceive her people by posing as the princess of an ancient prophecy. Soon, the girl, Nikte, which means flower in Mayan, realizes that her lie will lead to many problems. In Ricardo Arnaiz’s animated film, he tells a story with which all children can identify. Starring Alex Lora, Maya Zapata & Pedro Armendariz Jr.

Norteado
Dir. Rigoberto Perezcano (2009, 93 min., Mexico/Spain, Spanish w/ English Subtitles)
After numerous attempts, Andres remains determined to enter the United States at the Tijuana border in search of a better life. While in Tijuana, he ends up befriending two women, Cata and Ela, who run a convenience store, and each time he is sent back to Mexico, he returns to the comfort of their friendship. Strong ties exist in Mexico, but people like Andres feel they must attempt the crossing to provide a better life for themselves and their families. In Rigoberto Perezcano’s premier work, bonds are inevitably broken by the line between Mexico and the United States.

Paradas Continuas
Dir. Gustavo Loza (2009, 90 min., Mexico, Spanish NO subtitles)
From director and past festival guest, Gustavo Loza, (Atletico San Pancho, Al Otro Lado), comes this entertaining new comedy. A coming of age story of two teenagers who figure out that they can make some extra cash with a business that involves an old VW van and their schoolmates. Co-starring Silverio Palacios.

Regresa
Dir. Alejandro Gonzalez Padilla
(2009, 93 min., Mexico, Spanish w/ English Subtitles)
When her husband Ernesto throws himself into work and refuses to start a family, Maria begins to think he is having an affair and turns to hypnosis to help her understand her relationship. But when the therapist ends the session, she doesn't come back as herself. Instead, Maria is convinced she is a Basque princess engaged to a prince from the 15th century. Sarring Jaime Camil and Blanca Soto.  * U.S. Premiere 
 

Solo Quiero Caminar
Dir. Agustin Diaz Yanes (2009. 129 min., Spain / Mexico, Spanish w/ English Subtitles)
A crisscrossing narrative full of double-crossing deceit, slow-burning desire, visceral action and bawdy comedy, this film is a fizzy, dizzyingly fun ride of a crime caper. Andalusian girl gang robbers Gloria, Aurora, Ana, and Paloma stage an elaborate, tunneling safecracking job on the local Russian mob, but an injured Aurora gets left behind and nabbed by the police. Forced to lie low, Paloma reluctantly accepts Mexican crime boss Felix’s marriage offer, but secretly bides her time before Gloria and Ana can spring her. Felix’s baby-faced hit man Gabriel suspects that something might be up, but will he let his feelings for tough cookie Aurora get in the way? Starring: Diego Luna, Jose Maria Yazpik, & Victoria Abril

El Traspatio
Dir. Carlos Carerra (2009, 122 min., Mexico/USA, English w/ Spanish Subtitles)
“Backyard” is a fictional account of the atrocities that continue to occur in Ciudad Juárez. We follow police officer Blanca Bravo, who is sent to Ciudad Juárez from Mexico City to investigate a series of murders of young women. Most of the victims are low-paid laborers who have been drawn to Ciudad Juárez by the possibility of work at American-owned factories, or maquiladoras, that sprang up on the Mexican side of the border after the NAFTA agreement went into effect. Blanca discovers an incompetent and complicit police force and an indifferent local population, embodied by entrepreneur Mickey Santos. Mexico’s Official Selection for the 2010 Oscars. Starring: Ana de la Reguera & Jimmy Smits

2010 Confirmed Mexican Documentaries (as of January 25, 2010):

Chevolution
Dir. Luis Lopez and Trisha Ziff (2008, 86 min., Mexico, Spanish w/ English Subtitles)
How did the iconic image of Che Guevara end up on beer bottles and bikinis? "Chevolution" tells how one photo created an icon to the counter culture of the ‘60s, to generations of subsequent protestors and to marketing gurus. Tracing the history of Alberto Korda‘s photo, the film explores the two men’s lives, and how an image both caught and created the zeitgeist. The film investigates how the enduring symbol of Cuba's revolution skyrocketed to fame and was ultimately devoured by its own worst enemy: capitalism.
Starring: Antonio Banderas and Gael Garcia Bernal

El General
Dir. Natalia Almada (2009, 83 min., Mexico / U.S.A., Spanish w/ English Subtitles)
In 1910 a revolution erupted in Mexico, among its rallying cries "the right to vote." Nearly a century later "Sufragio Efectivo" is heard again as thousands take to the streets. Through the legacy that filmmaker Natalia Almada inherited as the great-granddaughter of Mexican president Plutarco Elias Calles (1924-1928), one of Mexico's most controversial revolutionary figures accused of having been a "Dictator", "Iron Man" and "Nun-Burner", yet also acclaimed for having been the "father of modern Mexico," “El General” is a portrait of a family and a country under the shadow of the past. The film was the winner of Best Documentary at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival.

El Informe Toledo
Dir. Albino Alvarez (2009, 87 min., Mexico, Spanish w/ English Subtitles)
The series of fifteen prints Francisco Toledo made on account of Franz Kafka’s “Report For an Academy” is the narrative line of this documentary film that looks for the face of the juchiteco artist. Thus, “Toledo Report” interweaves a plot where the passion and mastery of the artist and the brilliant printer is inseparable from the chisel with which a man takes part in historical and social matters, his struggles against corruption, his strong intervention against big interests of transnationals, and his memorial fights of rescue and preservation of indigenous languages, the myths and legends of our ancestors.

A complete schedule of Mexican films and screening dates will be officially announced February 15, 2010 at www.sdlatinofilm.com

Ana de la Reguera in Traspatio/Backyard - Purchase Ticket

Ana Claudia Talancon & Daniel Gimenez Cacho in Arrancame la Vida

Purchase Ticket 

Cinco Dias Sin Nora

Nikte (Pedro Armendariz Jr, Alex Lora, Maya Zapata)