LATINBEAT 2009 Lineup

Without much fanfare, the Film Society of Lincoln Center recently posted its lineup for the 2009 edition of Latinbeat. I actually came across the listing while perusing the Film Society website, which is a pity because this is a first rate showcase that deserves more attention and publicity. My good friend Marcela Goglio is the curator and this year she's gathered an intriguing selection of films from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Cuba, Mexico, Peru, and Uruguay. With the exception of "La teta asustada" ("The Milk of Sorrow") which was shown at New Directors/New Films in April, the films are all New York premieres.

This year, Latinbeat celebrates the life of influential writer Julio Cortazar with a seven-film tribute. Other special events include Latin-O-American, a panel discussion with up-and-coming Latino filmmakers that features, among others, Alex Rivera ("Sleep Dealer"), Sebastian Silva ("La nana"/"The Maid"), and Natalia Almada whose lauded documentary, "El general" ("The General") is also included in the festival. The panel will be moderated by Carlos Gutiérrez, co-founding director of Cinema Tropical.

Take it from someone who has shown his films twice at Latinbeat and has attended the festival for many years - there's no better place to watch the best Latin American cinema has to offer. The screenings are held at the magnificently cozy Walter Reade Theater and many of the directors will be in attendance. Also, Marcela has a knack for finding unexpected gems - so be prepared to be pleasantly surprised by films you've never heard of.

Here's the complete lineup. As always, links of film reviews are provided if available.

1. ACNE - Uruguay/Argentina/Mexico/Spain/USA - dir. Federico Veiroj
Reviews: ION Cinema, L.A. Splash, The Hollywood Reporter
2. CHEGA DE SAUDADE (THE BALLROOM) - Brazil - dir. Laís Bodanzky
Reviews: New Times,
3. BLOW-UP - UK/Italy/USA - dir. Michelangelo Antonioni
Reviews: NY Times, NY Observer, Variety
4. LA CAMARA OSCURA (THE CAMERA OBSCURA) - Argentina/France - dir. María Victoria Menis
Reviews: Reel Film Reviews, The Depaulia
5. CANAL (Á)/ CHANNEL (Á) ON CORTAZAR:
- HISTORIAS DE VIDA
- CIUDAD NATAL
- BUENOS AIRES AL PIE DE LA LETRA
- NOCHE DE SABADO EN EL LUNA PARK
6. CORTAZAR (CELESTIAL CLOCKWORK) - Argentina - dir. Tristán Bauer
Reviews: Time Out London
7. EL GENERAL (THE GENERAL) - Mexico/USA - dir. Natalia Almada
Reviews: Variety, ION CINEMA
8. LA BUENA VIDA (THE GOOD LIFE) - Chile - dir. Andrés Wood
Reviews: La Mirada FF
9. LA RONDA (LOVE BY ACCIDENT) - Argentina - dir. Inés Braun
10. AMOROSA SOLEDAD (LOVELY LONELINESS) - Argentina - dir. Victoria Galardi and Martín Carranza
Reviews: Nisimazine, By The Firelight, Variety
11. MENTIRAS PIADOSAS (MADE UP MEMORIES) - Argentina - dir. Diego Sabanés
12. LA TETA ASUSTADA (THE MILK OF SORROW) - Spain/Peru - dir. Claudia Llosa
Reviews: Variety, Slant, Hollywood Reporter, Screendaily
13. MUSICA EN ESPERA (MUSIC ON HOLD) - Argentina - dir. Hernán A. Goldfrid
Reviews: Variety
14. CINCO DIAS SIN NORA (NORA'S WILL) - Mexico - dir. Mariana Chenillo
Review: Slackerwood
15. OCEANO (OCEAN) - Russia/Cuba - dir. Mikhail Kosyrev-Nesterov
16. LA CIFRA IMPAR (ODD NUMBER) - Argentina - dir. Manuel Antin
17. LA ULTIMA Y NOS VAMOS (ONE FOR THE ROAD) - Mexico - dir. Eva López Sánchez
18. INTIMIDADES DE SHAKESPEARE Y VICTOR HUGO (SHAKESPEARE AND VICTOR HUGO'S INTIMACIES) - Mexico - dir. Yulene Olaizola
Reviews: Variety
19. ARRANCAME LA VIDA (TEAR THIS HEART OUT) - Mexico - dir. Roberto Sneider
Reviews: Variety
20. TURISTAS (TOURISTS) - Chile - dir. Alicia Scherson
Reviews: SBCC Film Reviews, Hollywood Reporter, Screendaily, Cinemaverytasty
21. UN NOVIO PARA MI MUJER (A BOYFRIEND FOR MY WIFE) - Argentina - dir. Juan Taratuto
Reviews: Variety

See you there!