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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.

Lower City (2005)

6.6/10
Director: Sergio Machado
Starring: Lazaro Ramos, Wagner Moura, Alice Braga

In the poorer part of Brazilian coastal town, Salvador de Bahia, two friends make a living running goods up and down the river. But their brotherly b... Read more

Secuestro Express (2005)

6.6/10
Director: Jonathan Jakubowicz
Starring: Mia Maestro, Ruben Blades, Carlos Julio Molina, Pedro Perez, Carlos Madera, Jean...

Venezuela's top-grossing film of all time is this taut thriller about a couple who are kidnapped and endure a night of mishaps and terror at the hands... Read more

Favela Rising (2005)

7.2/10
Director: Jeff Zimbalist, Matt Mochary
Starring: Anderson Sa

Anderson Sa grew up in the slums, or favelas, of Rio de Janiero. Tormented by the murders of his family and many friends, this former drug trafficker... Read more

The Holy Girl (La nina santa) (2004)

6.8/10
Director: Lucrecia Martel
Starring: Mercedes Moran

16-year-old Amalia looks to save the soul of a middle-aged doctor. Read more

Familia Rodante (2004)

Director: Pablo Trapero
Starring: Ruth Dobel, Liliana Capurro, Graciana Chironi

A hilarious and charming road movie, 'Familia Rodante' ('Rolling Family') is the latest feature from Pablo Trapero, one of the new generation of direc... Read more

Whisky (2004)

7.2/10
Director: Juan Pablo Rebella, Pablo Stoll
Starring: Mirella Pascual, Andres Pazos

Jacobo (Andres Pazos), who owns a sock factory in Uruguay, dreads the upcoming visit of his brother on the first anniversary of his mother's passing.... 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

The Aura (2004)

7.2/10
Director: Fabian Bielinsky
Starring: Ricardo Darin, Dolores Fonzi, Alejandro Awada, Pablo Cedron, Jorge D'Elia, Nahue...

A spell-binding and richly textured heist film centred around an epileptic taxidermist who leads an isolated existence, harbouring fantasies of pullin... Read more

Innocent Voices (2004)

7.9/10
Director: Luis Mandoki
Starring: Carlos Padilla, Leonor Varela, Xuna Primus, Gustavo Munoz, Jose Maria Yazpik, Of...

Based on the autobiography of Oscar Orlando Torres this is the incredible and harrowing story of a young boy caught up in the vicious El Salvadoran ci... 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