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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.

Machuca (2004)

7.8/10
Director: Andres Wood
Starring: Matias Quer, Ariel Mataluna, Manuela Martelli, Aline Kuppenheim, Federico Luppi

In 1973 Chile's democratically-elected socialist government was overthrown by a US-led coup that initiated the ruthless dictatorship of Augusto Pinoch... Read more

Madame Sata (2002)

7.1/10
Director: Karim Ainouz
Starring: Lazaro Ramos, Marcelia Cartaxo, Flavio Bauraqui, Fellipe Marques, Emiliano Queri...

Born to slaves in the arid wasteland of Northern Brazil and sold by his mother at the age of seven, Joao Francisco pursued his freedom on the mean str... Read more

Maria Full of Grace (2004)

7.5/10
Director: Joshua Marston
Starring: Catalina Sandino Moreno, Yenny Paola Vega, John Alex Toro, Guilied Lopez, Patric...

Director Joshua Marston's powerful tale introduces us to a determined young woman whose desire for a brighter future leads her into a world of unimagi... Read more

Matando Cabos (2004)

7.6/10
Director: Alejandro Lozano
Starring: Tony Dalton, Ana Claudia Talancon, Pedro Armendariz, Kristoff , Raul Mendez

This dark Mexican comedy is a satirical look at a kidnapping gone awry when a couple of incompetent crims accidentally nab the janitor instead of the... Read more

Me You Them (2000)

7.1/10
Director: Andrucha Waddington
Starring: Regina Case, Lima Duarte

Based on a true story that comically depicts the relationships between an ordinary woman and her three husbands who live in the same house in a poor,... Read more

Medianeras (2011)

8/10
Director: Gustavo Taretto
Starring: Ines Efron, Pilar Lopez de Ayala, Javier Drolas, Rafael Ferro, Carla Peterson, A...

A.k.a. "Sidewalls". A clever romantic comedy examining with charm how the architecture of a city conditions the lives of two of its residents, "Median... Read more

Men With Guns (1998)

7.6/10
Director: John Sayles
Starring: Federico Luppi, Damian Alcazar, Tania Cruz

From writer/director John Sayles comes this sobering and politically awakening film about a recently widowed doctor who returns to an unnamed Latin Am... Read more

Midaq Alley (1995)

7.5/10
Director: Jorge Fons
Starring: Salma Hayek, Maria Rojo, Ernesto Gomez Cruz

Aka 'Miracle Alley'. The winner of 45 International Film Awards, 'Midaq Alley' is set in the old downtown section of Mexico City and deals with all th... Read more

Miss Bala (2011)

6.5/10
Director: Gerardo Naranjo
Starring: James Russo, Stephanie Sigman, Noe Hernandez, Lakshmi Picazo, Leonor Vitorica, I...

Suspenseful Mexican crime thriller involves the plight of Laura Guerrero (Stephanie Sigman), a poor Tijuana salesgirl who dreams of winning the local... Read more

Moro No Brasil (2002)

6.6/10
Director: Mika Kaurismaki
Starring: Walter Alfaiate, Grupo Fethxa, Grupo Gleetwtxya, Children Fulni-o

To many of us Brazilian music and the Bossa Nova are one, but in this wonderful documentary Mika Kaurismaki pretty much ignores this genre in favour o... Read more