From Around the World

UWM's 30th Annual Latin American Film Festival is the biggest yet

By Lisa Fernandez

The annual Latin American Film Series at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) has become one of the city's most enduring  Latino events. Since debuting 30 years ago with only three films and 200 guests, it has grown to 13 films with a projected attendance of 2,500.

Presented in part by UWM's Center for Latin American & Caribbean Studies, the series features top-quality films from Latin American countries including Argentina, Brazil and Mexico.

"We try to bring very recent films to Milwaukee that audiences here may not have the opportunity to view," says Julie Kline, outreach and academic program coordinator for Latin American center.

"I think the original vision of the series - to bring audiences together with recent Latin American films as a way to highlight the diversity of the region in terms of film making, cultures, and political and social issues of consequence - continues today."

The film screenings, which are free, run from April 4 to 12 this year. All are at  UWM's Union Theatre at 2200 E. Kenwood Blvd. All will be shown in their original language with English subtitles. Call (414) 229-5986 or visit www.uwm.edu/Dept/CLACS/outreach/filmseries.html.

Here's more about two of the films being featured at the festival.

"The Price of Sugar"
This documentary, narrated by Paul Newman, shows how tourists flock to the beautiful beaches of the Dominican Republic, while just a few miles inland another world exists - one of inhumane working conditions and modern-day slavery.

The film shows the harsh living conditions Haitians must endure in the bateyes - the poor communities of small houses and barracks near the sugar cane fields where they are forced to live.

With no one to give the Haitians a voice, Father Christopher Hartley makes it his life's mission to help them.

In one climactic scene, a Dominican town becomes divided and banners pop up calling for Hartley's exile. The priest and his supporters convene at a church to rally for the rights of the Haitians, while protestors picket loudly outside. Hartley's determination to give the Haitians a voice in their fight for better working and living conditions is a vivid reflection of the human spirit.

"El Camino de San Diego"
Closing the film series is this Argentine film directed by Carlos Sorín. "El Camino" introduces the audience to Tati, "the biggest fan" of soccer superstar Diego Maradona. Tati is so enraptured by his hero that he tries to name his newborn daughter Diego.

Tati's dream of meeting Maradona begins to take shape once he finds a tree root that he thinks resembles Maradona. When he discovers that Maradona has been admitted to a Buenos Aires hospital, Tati comes up with an idea: He'll personally deliver the "statue" to him.

Many comedic moments arise on Tati's journey, during which he meets a cast of characters who befriend him and help him on his quest. "El Camino de San Diego" will have you rooting for Tati, too.

"I have a particular soft spot for this film," Kline says. "Sorín often works with non-professional actors and tells very quiet, very simple stories about ordinary people and their dreams in life."

Film Series schedule

April 4, "XXZ" (Argentina) at 7 p.m.

April 5, "Qué Tan Lejos" (Ecuador) at 7 p.m.

April 6, "Nordeste" (Argentina) at 4:30 p.m.;
"A Dios Momo" (Uruguay) at 7 p.m.

April 7, "¿Quién Mató a la Llamita Blanca?" (Bolivia) at 7 p.m.

April 8, "Cochochi" (Mexico) at 7 p.m.;
"Tigre de Papel" (Colombia) at 9 p.m.

April 9, "Eréndira Ikikunari" (Mexico) at 7 p.m.;
"The Price of Sugar" (USA) at 9 p.m.

April 10, "Mariposa Negra" (Peru) at 7 p.m.

April 11, "A Casa de Alice" (Brazil) at 7 p.m.

April 12, "El Benny" (Cuba) at 4 p.m.;
"El Camino de San Diego" (Argentina) at 7 p.m.