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.
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
The Violin (2005)
7.8/10
Director: Francisco Vargas
Starring: Mario Garibaldi, Dagoberto Gama, Angel Tavira, Gerardo Taracena
An elderly Mexican violinist - along with his son and grandson - becomes involved in the formation of a peasant's rebellion during the 1970s. Hoping t... Read more
Waste Land (2010)
7.9/10
Director: Lucy Walker
This uplifting documentary follows the lives of "catadores," or pickers who live in poverty and scavenge through the world's largest garbage dump, out... Read more
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
Bailar Para Vivir ( aka Dancing For Life ) (2003)
7.6/10
Director: Cordelia Dvorak
In this extraordinary documentary, 11 Mexico City residents ranging from 16 to 85 years of age find pride and escape by pursuing the art of dance. Sur... Read more
The Clan (2015)
7/10
Director: Pablo Trapero
Starring: Guillermo Francella
In Argentina everybody knows about the Puccio Clan case. In 1985 it was discovered that a spate of kidnappings and murders had been the work of the Pu... Read more
Elite Squad: The Enemy Within (2010)
8.1/10
Director: Jose Padilha
Starring: Maria Ribeiro, Seu Jorge, Irandhir Santos, Andre Ramiro, Wagner Moura
Exciting sequel to 2007's "Elite Squad" finds recently promoted Lt. Col. Nascimento (Wagner Moura) in charge of a special operations squad in Rio de J... Read more
Duck Season (2004)
7.3/10
Director: Fernando Eimbcke
Starring: Diego Catano, Daniel Miranda, Enrique Arreola, Danny Perea
What starts off as a boring Sunday becomes a life-altering experience for an unlikely quartet of people in this affecting serio-comedy from Mexico. Wh... Read more
Trash (2014)
7.2/10
Director: Stephen Daldry
Starring: Wagner Moura, Selton Mello, Rooney Mara, Martin Sheen
Richard Curtis writes and Stephen Daldry directs this Rio-set adventure drama. The film follows 14-year-old Raphael (Rickson Tevez), who, after findin... Read more
Los Olvidados ( The Young and the Damned ) (1950)
8.8/10
Director: Luis Bunuel
Starring: Miguel Inclan, Roberto Cobo, Estela Inda, Alfonso Mejia
The best known film of Luis Bunuel's Mexican period, "Los Olvidados" looks unflinchingly at life in a festering Mexico City slum. A group of juvenile... Read more