If you have a love of movies and a good working knowledge of Spanish, then the Guadalajara International Film Festival (FCIG) from March 21-30 is an ideal event for you to while away the hours.
In total, 1,459 films from 59 nations will be screened at the festival – 166 more than last year. The majority are from Mexico (370), followed by Spain (306), Argentina (153), Brazil (139) and Chile (55). Meanwhile, the Canadian province of Quebec – this year’s guest nation – is bringing down 60 titles.
While the festival is primarily a showcase for the appreciation, promotion and distribution of Mexican and Ibero-American film, it also provides a smattering of choices for those who struggle to understand spoken Spanish.
English speakers will find the nightly “fund-raiser” gala screenings at the Teatro Diana of most interest, since more than half the films shown will be in their native language. Tickets cost 100 pesos and the proceeds are destined for charitable works in the state. (See below for full details.)Much of the media interest will focus on films in competition: 20 movies compete for the Maguey Prize for Best Mexican Film, while 18 are in the running in the Ibero-American Feature Film category.
Outside of competition, screenings of English-language feature films include: “Still Life” (U.K.), directed by Uberto Pasolina with Eddie Marsden and Joanne Frogatt; “Drinking Buddies” (U.S.), directed by Joe Swanberg, with Olivia Wilde, Jake Johnson, Anna Kendrick, Ron Livingston; “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom” (U.K., South Africa), directed by Justin Chadwick, with Idris Elba and Naomie Harris; and “Run and Jump” (Ireland): directed by Steph Green, with Maxine Peake and Edward MacLiam.
Films shown at festival’s Social and Environmental Film Showcase seek to address current themes such as biodiversity, overpopulation and wars for natural resources. Of special interest will be “H2OMX,” a Mexican documentary that highlights the serious problem of water quality in this country. English-only speakers can view “The Fruit Hunters,” a new film from acclaimed Canadian director Yung Chang that takes viewers from the dawn of humanity to the cutting edge of modern agriculture, exploring not just the way we look at we eat, but what it means to be human.
Also of interest is “Food Chains,” a documentary by Sanjay Rawal that looks at abuses U.S. farm workers are forced to endure. Another film on the bill is “Twenty Feet from Stardom,” the winner of this year’s Oscar for Best Documentary about the lives of backup singers who live in a world that lies just beyond the spotlight.
Opening the festival at the Auditiorio Telmex on March 22 is “Gabrielle,” a French-language feature that was Canada’s official submission to this year’s Oscars in the best foreign language film category. The film centers on a young woman with Williams syndrome who must still confront other people’s prejudices as well as her own limitations in the hope of experiencing a love far from the ordinary.
Films will be screened at several venues, including Expo Guadalajara, Teatro Diana, Cinépolis Centro Magno and VIP Plaza Andares. The full program with individual screening times has yet to published but should be available online at www.ficg.mx shortly. The festival’s expansive and visually pleasing website contains full information in English.
Four tributes will take place during the festival. The “International Homage” showcases Jim Sheridan, the Irish director of acclaimed feature films such as “My Left Foot” and “In the Name of the Father,” starring Academy Award winner Daniel Day-Lewis. (Both will be shown at the festival.)
Actress and singer María Victoria will be the recipient of the “Mexican” tribute, actress Elpidia Carrillo the “Latin” tribute, and FICG co-founder Sara Garcia the “Posthumous” tribute.
Nightly galas at Teatro Diana to screen predominantly English-language films
“Panic 5 Bravo” Saturday, March 22, 6 p.m. (IN ENGLISH) Dir: Kuna Becker, with John Henry Richardson and Dan Rovzar. Four paramedics on duty in Arizona intercept a distress call from Mexico. Training kicks in as they illegally cross the border to help. Suddenly trapped inside their own ambulance, nothing could prepare them for what they would encounter.
“Antes de que nos olviden” Saturday, March 22, 9 p.m. (IN SPANISH) Dir: Matías Gueilburt. Hard-hitting documentary on Mexico’s drug war, with testimonies from fathers, brothers, wives and sons, as well as input from sociologists, journalists, artists and politicians.
“Frontera” Sunday, March 23, 9 p.m. (IN ENGLISH) Dir: Michael Berry, with Ed Harris and Eva Longoria. A former Arizona sheriff’s wife is killed while riding on their ranch property. It would appear a Mexican man crossing in to the United States illegally is at fault.
“Cantinflas” Monday, March 24, 9 p.m. Dir: Sebastian del Amo. (IN SPANISH/ENGLISH) Mike Todd is a Broadway producer struggling to produce “Around the World in 80 Days.” In Mexico, Mario Moreno, a young entertainer is struggling to get some respect, and he manages to become a star.
“Familia Gang” Tuesday, March 25, 9 p.m. (IN SPANISH) Dir: Armando Casas. A high-ranking Mexican official fakes the capture of El Coyote, Mexico’s public enemy number one.
“A Night in Old Mexico” Wednesday, March 26, 9 p.m. (IN ENGLISH) Dir: Emilio Aragón, with Robert Duvall and Jeremy Irvine. Cantankerous Texas rancher goes off with his grandson for one last wild and woolly adventure during a night in Mexico.
“White Lies” Thursday, March 27, 9 p.m. (IN ENGLISH) Dir: Dana Rotberg, with Rachel House and Whirimako Black. A medicine woman - a giver of life - in New Zealand is asked to hide a secret which may protect one life but which will destroy another.
“Visitors” Friday, March 28, 9 p.m. (IN ENGLISH) Dir: Godfrey Reggio. Acclaimed documentary reveals humanity’s trance-like relationship with technology, which, when commandeered by extreme emotional states, produces massive effects far beyond the human species.