Sundance Film Festival 2016: 4 Latin American Films to Watch Include Colombia's 'Embrace of the Serpent'
The Sundance Film Festival will be underway in just a few weeks and will undoubtedly bring the film community into full-blown catharsis.
A year ago, Alfonso Gomez-Rejon's film "Me and Earl and the Dying Girl" was the winner of the top prize at the festival, marking a rare occasion when a Latin American managed the feat. This year will feature a plethora of Latin Americans that could follow in his footsteps, many of which will be featured in the World Cinema Competition.
Here is a look at the Latino films to look out for at the biggest film festival in the US.
Embrace of the Serpent
The Colombian film directed by Ciro Guerra might be the film to watch at the festival from the Latino perspective. It is not only the first Colombian film to crack the best foreign language film category in Academy Award history, but it is also the only Latin American film in the category this year as well. The film, which follows two explorers through the Amazon, is said to be a fascinating visual and emotional exploration from a filmmaker who has a reputation for a patient observational style.
Viva
While technically an Irish film, the movie is set and shot in Cuba. The film, which is being released in 2016 by Magnolia, charts the journey of a father trying to come to terms with his son's sexuality. The film is directed by Paddy Breathnach. Benicio del Toro is an executive producer on the film, which stars Hector Medina. The movie was Ireland's submission for this year's Academy Awards for the best foreign language film category.
Little Men
Ira Sachs has slowly but surely established himself as a tremendously gifted filmmaker with such films as "Love is Strange" and "Keep the Lights on." Now he arrives at Sundance with his new film "Little Men" featuring Chilean superstar Paulina Garcia. The actress is famous for her work on the recent film "Gloria" and will be seen starring opposite Greg Kinnear and Jennifer Ehler. The drama shows the relationship of two new friends being tested as their parents battle over the lease of a shop.
Mr. Pig / Mexico
Diego Luna returns to the director's chair with his new film, which tells the story of tells the story of a farmer who decides to abandon his foreclosed farm and heads to Mexico on a mission to sell his remaining prize hog and reunite with old friends.
The Mexican's second feature (after "Cesar Chavez") features José María Yazpik, Joel Murray, Angélica Aragón, Gabriela Araujo and Maya Rudolph.
Other films to take note of include Peru's "When Two Worlds Collide," Mexico's "Plaza de la Soledad," Colombia's "Between Sea and Land" and the Chilean film "Much Ado About Nothing."
The Sundance Film Festival runs from Jan. 21-31, 2016.