CINE LATINO -Latin American Film Festival at the Shang

A line-up of latin cinema takes place at the first CINE LATINO -Latin American Film Festival at Shangri-La Plaza’s Shang Cineplex on December 6 to 10. Highlighting a mix of drama, comedy, romance and relevant flicks, the festival is set to introduce films from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Panama and Venezuela that are truly unforgettable.

El hijo de la novia (Son of the Bride) is the story of Rafael, who is having a crisis and tries to reconstruct his past and look at the present in a new perspective. Esperando la Carroza (Waiting for the Hearse) is a comedy about Mama Cora who tries to help her son, but unfortunately everything she does, she does wrong.These films from Argentina are a mixture of romance, comedy and drama during the 80’s up to the contemporary cinema.

Brazil will take you to Cidade de Deus (City of God) a housing project built in the 60’s, which became a dangerous place in Rio de Janeiro. Busca-Pe will bring you to a very violent environment through his lenses. The film received worldwide critical acclaim and was nominated for four Academy Awards in 2004. 2 Filhos de Francisco (2 sons of Francisco) tells the rags-to-riches story of two poor rural boys who grew up to become one of Brazil’s biggest sertanejo (the national "country" music) singers, Zeze di Camargo & Luciano. It was one of the most successful movies in Brazil in the last 20 years and the biggest box office draw in 2005.

From Chile, Subterra tells a story of a workers' uprising that took place in what was, at the time, the largest coal mine in the world. The quest to improve conditions both spiritual and material begins in the heart of one courageous man. But while the bosses plan the expansion of their vast empire, the workers experience an awakening, and begin to demand change.

From Colombia the drama comedy of Sofia y el terco (Sofia and the stubborn), the story of a couple who lives in a small village in the Colombian countryside. Their life has just been a long repetition of facts for years. They grew and married here, and they know everybody in the village. She has an old dream: she wants to go to the sea whereas she has always known nothing but mountains. But Gustavo always has good reasons to delay the trip. He cannot let his grocery; his employee cannot get by himself.

Mexico bring us a full length film, El comienzo del tiempo (The beginning of time), a story about Antonio and Bertha who find themselves in deep trouble when pensions are suspended due to social and financial crisis. The lives of the couple changes when their son and grandson reappear in their lives. 

There is also a collection of short films: Porcelana (Porcelain) a struggle between childhood fantasy and reality, Carreteras (Roads) a two-day romance between Abril and Carmela, Mirar atras (Looking back) a confrontation of a ghost of Cecilia’s aunt and the tragic memories that shaped her life. O ser un elefante (Being an elephant) an 8 minute film where Ivan becomes obsessed with the personality of elephants, who they say, never forgets. Papalotes rosas is a narrative of  two small girls in a pink world see a little more of reality while their father figure falls apart. A spoken portrait of the world of cinema in a Morelia of the past is Aun nos queda el recuerdo (We still remember).

Panama gives us a hilarious comedy,El chance (The chance),that tells the story of Toña and Paquita, the housekeepers for the aristocratic González-Dubois family. These domestic employees have been mistreated for quite some time and they are tired of their situation. So when the family plans a shopping trip to Miami, the maids have a plan of their own; to take control of the mansion. Unexpectedly, they will also discover a family secret.

Finally, Venezuela’s protagonists Daniel and Julio of Hermano (Brother) were shaken by a tragedy  and an important decision of which is more important: the union of the family, the taste of revenge or the dream of their lives. A family drama between Renato and grand daughter Carlota of Patas Arriba teaches us the importance of simple things, the value of friendship and respect towards the views of other people.

Ten full length films and six short films will capture Filipino movie enthusiast to know more about Latin America and get closer to its culture and arts. So be sure to catch it only at the home of the country’s premier international film festivals, Shang Cineplex.

Launch of Cine Latino at Shang Cineplex, 23rd of November, 2017

In photo: (L-R) Ambassador of the Federative Republic of Brazil H.E. Rodrigo do Amaral Souza, Ambassador of the Argentine Republic H.E. Roberto Bosch, Ambassador of the Republic of Chile H.E. Jose Miguel Capdevila, Ambassador of the Republic of Panama H.E. Rolando Anibal Guevara Alvarado, Ambassador of the Republic of Colombia H.E. Victor Hugo Echeverri, from the Embassy of Mexico Mr. Gerardo Regalado

Catch the first CINE LATINO -Latin American Film Festival at Shangri-La Plaza’s Shang Cineplex on December 6 to 10.

For inquiries, contact 370-2500 local 597 or log on to www.shangrila-plaza.com. Visit the Shang’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/shangrilaplazaofficialfanpage. Follow Shang on Instagram: @shangrilaplazaofficial.