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.
El Bonaerense (2002)
6.9/10
Director: Pablo Trapero
Starring: Jorge Roman, Mimi Ardu, Dario Levy, Victor Hugo Carrizo, Hugo Anganuzzi
From time to time Zapa (Jorge Roman), a thirty-something locksmith in a small Argentinean town, is pressured by his shifty boss to employ his safecrac... Read more
City of Men: The Complete Series (2002)
7.3/10
Director: Fernando Meirelles, Philippe Barcinski, Regina Case, etc
Starring: Douglas Silva, Darlan Cunha
Following the outstanding success of the Oscar-nominated 'City of God', the same team made this incredible 9-part series for Brazilian television. Fi... Read more
Bus 174 (2002)
7.9/10
Director: Jose Padilha
On June 12, 2000 a lone gunman, seemingly insane or drugged, hijacked a bus in Rio de Janeiro as authorities - and television cameras - surrounded the... 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
Japon (2002)
6.9/10
Director: Carlos Reygadas
Starring: Magdelena Flores, Alejandro Ferretis
Mexican director Carlos Reygadas' first film is a poetic, existential drama exploring life, death, truth and redemption by following a suicidal old ma... 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
City of God (2002)
8.6/10
Director: Fernando Meirelles, Katia Lund
Starring: Seu Jorge, Matheus Nachtergaele, Alexandre Rodrigues, Douglas Silva
Celebrated with international acclaim, this powerful true story of crime and redemption has won numerous awards at festivals around the world. The str... Read more
The Crime of Father Amaro (2002)
Director: Carlos Carrera
Starring: Gael Garcia Bernal, Ana Claudia Talancon, Sancho Gracia
Aka "The Crime of Padre Amaro". Recently ordained a priest, 24 year-old Father Amaro (Gael Garcia Bernal) is sent to a small parish church in Los Reye... Read more
Y Tu Mama Tambien (Blu-Ray) (2001)
7.7/10
Director: Alfonso Cuaron
Starring: Daniel Gimenez Cacho, Maribel Verdu, Gael Garcia Bernal, Diego Luna
The lives of Julio and Tenoch, like those of 17-year old boys everywhere, are ruled by raging hormones, intense friendships, and a headlong rush into... Read more
Son of the Bride (2001)
7.9/10
Director: Juan Jose Campanella
Starring: Norma Aleandro, Hector Alterio, Ricardo Darin
After a middle-aged restaurateur suffers a heart attack, he takes stock of his life and re-examines his relationships with his bitter ex-wife, his est... Read more