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.
Like Water for Chocolate (1992)
7.2/10
Director: Alfonso Arau
Starring: Lumi Cavazos, Marco Leonardi, Regina Torne
A delicious love story with exquisite comedy adapted from Laura Esquivel's best selling novel. Young Tita is forced to nurse her sick mother and, unti... Read more
Birds of Passage (2018)
7.6/10
Director: Ciro Guerra
Starring: Carmiña Martínez
DescriptionThe origins of the Colombian drug trade, as seen through eyes of an indigenous Wayuu family that becomes involved in the booming business o... 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
7 Boxes (2012)
7.2/10
Director: Juan Carlos Maneglia, Tana Schembori
Starring: Celso Franco, Victor Sosa, Lali Gonzalez
A.k.a. "7 cajas". It's Friday night in Asunción, Paraguay and the temperature is sweltering. Víctor, a 17-year-old wheelbarrow delivery boy, dreams of... Read more
El Narco ( aka El Infierno ) (2010)
7.8/10
Director: Luis Estrada
Starring: Damian Alcazar, Ernesto Gomez Cruz, Maria Rojo, Joaquin Cosio
A.k.a. "El Infierno". Mexico 2010: Hell. Benjamin Garcia, Benny (Damian Alacazar), is deported from the United States. Back home and against a bleak p... 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
Gloria (2013)
6.7/10
Director: Sebastian Lelio
Starring: Paulina Garcia, Sergio Hernandez
Gloria (Paulina García) is a "woman of a certain age" but still feels young. Though lonely, she makes the best of her situation and fills her nights s... Read more
Amazonia (2013)
6.5/10
Director: Thierry Ragobert
After a plane crash, Sai, a capuchin monkey born and raised in captivity, finds himself alone and lost in the wilderness of the Amazon jungle. Unprepa... Read more
White Elephant (2012)
6.5/10
Director: Pablo Trapero
Starring: Ricardo Darin, Jeremie Renier, Martina Gusman
A powerful and gripping story from Argentina, "White Elephant" follows the lives of two maverick Catholic priests, a community worker and their desper... 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