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Latin America Cinema

By Alice's definition, Latin America includes all the films we have from Mexico and South America. Largely represented here are the films of Mexico and Brazil, but there are also treasures from Argentina, Cuba and Colombia. Many of these films are set against a political or religious backdrop, particularly those from South America. For example the searing social commentary of 'City of God' leaves the viewer not only with the memory of an electrifying and well-crafted film but an insight into the harsh realities of Brazilian street kids. Celebrated film maker Hector Babenco did the same with the brutal but incredible, Pixote (1981), then turned to political prisoners with the fantastic 'Kiss of the Spiderwoman' (1985). Mexican films defy categorisation and cover subjects from dog fights ('Amores Perros') to young love ('Y Tu Mama Tambien') to sci-fi ('Cronos). Robert Rodriguez began his career here with 'El Mariachi'. New talents emerging include Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, Alex de la Iglesia, and Guillermo del Toro who like Rodriguez has already made the move to Hollywood. To find films from a specific country use the By Country link to the left.

Casa de mi Padre (2012)

5.5/10
Director: Matt Piedmont
Starring: Will Ferrell, Gael Garcia Bernal, Diego Luna, Genesis Rodriguez

Offbeat Spanish-language comedy stars Will Ferrell as Armando Alvarez who has lived and worked on his father's ranch in Mexico his entire life. As the... Read more

Central Station (1998)

8/10
Director: Walter Salles
Starring: Fernanda Montenegro, Vinicius De Oliveira, Marilia Pera

This extremely well made, touching Brazilian drama follows a young boy whose mother is killed near Rio de Janeiro's central train station. Befriended... Read more

Chinese Take-Away (2011)

7.1/10
Director: Sebastian Borensztein
Starring: Ricardo Darin, Muriel Santa Ana, Ignacio Huang

In Buenos Aires, the bitter and methodic Roberto (Ricardo Darín) is a lonely man and the owner of a hardware store. Roberto collects bizarre worldwide... Read more

Chronicle of an Escape (2006)

7.3/10
Director: Adrian Caetano
Starring: Pablo Echarri, Rodrigo De La Serna, Lautaro Delgado, Nazareno Casero, Matias Mar...

Based on true events, this harrowing drama set in the 1970s tells the story of a pro soccer player (Rodrigo De La Serna) profiled as a terrorist and k... Read more

City of God (2002)

8.6/10
Director: Fernando Meirelles, Katia Lund
Starring: Seu Jorge, Matheus Nachtergaele, Alexandre Rodrigues, Douglas Silva

Celebrated with international acclaim, this powerful true story of crime and redemption has won numerous awards at festivals around the world. The str... Read more

City of Men (2007)

7.3/10
Director: Paulo Morelli
Starring: Douglas Silva, Darlan Cunha

Adapted from the Brazilian TV series created by the producers of the film "City of God," this engrossing drama relates the story of Acerola and Laranj... Read more

City of Men: The Complete Series (2002)

7.3/10
Director: Fernando Meirelles, Philippe Barcinski, Regina Case, etc
Starring: Douglas Silva, Darlan Cunha

Following the outstanding success of the Oscar-nominated 'City of God', the same team made this incredible 9-part series for Brazilian television. Fi... Read more

Conversations with Mother (2004)

7.4/10
Director: Santiago Carlos Oves
Starring: China Zorilla, Eduardo Blanco, Ulises Dumont, Silvina Bosco

Jamie (Eduardo Blanco) is a middle-aged, middle class man about to have a crisis. Not only has he lost his job, but his dotty old mother (played by Ar... Read more

Cronos (1993)

6.7/10
Director: Guillermo del Toro
Starring: Federico Luppi, Ron Perlman, Claudio Brook

Guillermo del Toro made an auspicious and audacious feature debut with 'Cronos', a highly unorthodox tale about the seductiveness of the idea of immor... Read more

Cronos (Blu-ray) (1993)

6.7/10
Director: Guillermo del Toro
Starring: Federico Luppi, Ron Perlman, Claudio Brook

Guillermo del Toro made an auspicious and audacious feature debut with 'Cronos', a highly unorthodox tale about the seductiveness of the idea of immor... Read more