Killing Jesus will screen at the Latin American Film Festival. Photo: Gisselle Gallego
In 2004, Mark Taylor was travelling across Argentina and discovered countless Latin American films he felt needed to be showcased in Australia.
Scoping across horror, fantasy, comedy, family friendly animation, shorts, documentaries and mockumentaries, Taylor returned home to Australia and launched the not-for-profit Latin American Film Festival so far raising $124,000 for people in need all while opening up a whole new world of entertainment across Sydney.
“West Sydney embraced this new film festival that caters for everyone and now we are excited to be in our 13th year,” said Festival programmer Gisselle Gallego. “These movies offer an insight into Latin America showcasing diverse, beautiful and engaging, independent film making.”
With more than 252 entries for feature films and 100 for short films submitted, the volunteer committee picked their favourites for viewers to enjoy. They also handpicked noteworthy documentaries such as Ruben Blades is Not My Name/Yo No Me Llamo Ruben Blades, a singer, actor, lawyer and activist who also ran for president in Panama. We get an insight into his life, and his remarkable journey and successes. We are introduced to his family of musicians, loved ones and friends. He talks about his music and tell-tale lyrics which are beautiful stories and insights about love and life. He has an incredible Latin American following and is loved by his fans. He has also worked with some of the best actors in the world, including Robert Di Niro, Denzel Washington, Brad Pitt, Joe Pesci and Harrison Ford to name but a few. With unprecedented access, this documentary reveals a soft-spoken rebel, and a living legend struggling to come to terms with his legacy.
I ‘highly’ recommend comedy mockumentary and political satire Get The Weed/Mision No Oficial as it is brilliant and hilarious. The story is naughty, cheeky and fun with a cleverly written script about the historic day Uruguay was the first country in the world to legalise marijuana; however, there was one problem – they had no ‘weed’ to supply the incredible demand in the nation. So President Jose Mujica (played by Pepe himself) sent a mother and her pharmacist son (known for their ‘special brownies’) on a secret mission to America to source good quality weed (50 Tonnes) and bring it home to the people. All members of this troupe directed, acted and wrote this hilarious film as a group and the president of Uruguay played himself with humour, passion and grace. “In Uruguay… one dollar, one gram” was the tagline to remember and an incredible price!
For more information visit http://www.sydneylatinofilmfestival.org/
