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.
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
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
The Peddler (2010)
7.7/10
Director: Eduardo de la Serna
This sweet little documentary tells the story of Daniel Burmeister who is a filmmaker like no other. Travelling from village to village around Argenti... 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
Abel (2010)
6.9/10
Director: Diego Luna
Starring: Jose Maria Yazpik, Karina Gidi, Christopher Ruiz-Esparza
Abel, a nine-year-old boy, has stopped talking since his good-for-nothing father left home. Then one morning he starts to speak again, and appears to... Read more
The Silent House (2010)
5.4/10
Director: Gustavo Hernandez
Aka "La Casa Muda". Laura and her father only need to spend one night in the house, but eerie things start happening soon after they arrive. Strange s... 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
Puzzle (2009)
6.7/10
Director: Natalia Smirnoff
Starring: Gabriel Goity, Maria Onetto, Arturo Goetz
Aka "Rompecabezas". A woman looking for a new purpose in her life finds it in an unexpected place in this debut drama from writer/director Natalia Smi... Read more
Alamar (2009)
7.3/10
Director: Pedro Gonzalez-Rubio
Starring: Natan Palombini, Jorge Machado
Before his 5-year-old son, Natan, returns to Rome with his mother, Jorge is determined to teach him about their Mayan roots. Together, they journey to... Read more
The Wind Journeys (2009)
7.4/10
Director: Ciro Guerra
Starring: Marciano Martinez
A Colombian accordion player (Marciano Martinez) believes he must give up the instrument after the death of his wife. Legend has it that the device or... Read more