The best documentary award at the Guadalajara International Film Festival, which concluded last Sunday, went to Jose Villalobos’ directorial debut, “El Charro de Toluquilla,” a portrait of Jaime Garcia, a womanizing mariachi singer from Jalisco whose life is split between a fantasy world, his battle with AIDS and the deep love for his small daughter.
Using vivid tableaus and a stylized perspective, Villalobos paints a unique and emotional portrait of a man divided.
The director followed and shot Garcia during four years and admits the film is more of a docu-feature than straightforward documentary.
“El Charro de Toluquilla” was funded by the Gabriel Figueroa Film Fund, and the Tribeca Film Institute Latin American Media Arts Fund. It will have its international premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival in April.
Joaquin del Paso’s “Maquinaria Panamericana” (Panamerican Machinery), an allegory about power and corruption in Mexico, won the Mezcal Award for best Mexican feature film. “Oscuro Animal,” a drama about the victims of Colombia’s armed conflict, picked up best Ibero-American film, as well as awards for best director and cinematography.