Sundance Film Festival 2015 : The Top Must-See Latino Films
The film industry will be on the lookout for the next breakout filmmaker and film when The Sundance Film Festival begins on January 22.
Sundance is one of the most prestigious festivals in the world and it has seen a number of Latino films emerge to become big hits. For instance, the Chilean film "No" premiered at the festival before going on to be nominated for the Academy Award. Last year, Chile's Oscar submission "To Kill a Man" also premiered at the festival where it won the Jury Prize in the World dramatic competition.
The new slate offers a wide variety of Latino films and American films with Latino actors. One of the most anticipated Latino films that will make its world premiere is Brazil's "The Second Mother." The film directed by Anna Muylaert stars Regina Case, Michael Joelsas, Camila Mardila and Karine Teles. The film premieres in the World Dramatic competition and if it wins, it could become Brazil's Oscar submission for 2016.
In the spotlight section, which highlights the best of the festival circuit, Argentina's Oscar-nominated film "Wild Tales" will make its Utah premiere. The feature has been hailed by critics and it was produced by Pedro Almodovar, the Spanish director known for his work on "The Skin I Love In," and "All About My Mother." The comedy is among the most anticipated films of 2015 and it is also among the front-runners to win the foreign film category. Sony Pictures Classics will release it a month after its Sundance premiere and two days before the Academy Awards.
Colombian director Rodrigo Garcia will present his follow-up to "Albert Nobbs." His latest film, "Last Days in the Desert" stars Ewan McGregor, Ciaran Hinds, and Ayelet Zurer is having its world premiere in the premieres section, which showcases the A-list stars in Hollywood. The film is the winner of the 2014 Dolby Family Sound Fellowship and was photographed by the Academy Award winner Emmanuel Lubezki who is likely to win his second Oscar for "Birdman." "Last Days in the Desert" is still in search of a distributor and is being represented by Prodigy Public Relations.
John Leguizamo will also be present at the festival as he co-stars in the drama "Experimenter" starring Peter Sarsgaard, Winona Ryder and Taryn Manning. The film is based on the 1961 "obedience experiments" conducted at Yale University by social psychologist Stanley Milgram. The movie is also premiering in the premieres section of the festival and is also among the most anticipated films of the year.
Sundance favorite and Chilean director Sebastian Silva will return to the NEXT section of the festival to present his new work "Nasty Baby." It is the director's fifth feature to be presented at the festival. The director previously showcased "Crystal Fairy" for which he won the Best Director award and the critically acclaimed film "The Maid." His latest "Nasty Baby" stars Kristen Wiig and Silva and the movie is said to be the director's most personal film as it deals with a gay couple trying to have a child and their neighborhood difficulties.
In the Documentary section, Matthew Heineman will show "Cartel Land," which presents a view of the Mexican cartel.
The Sundance Film Festival runs from Jan 22 to Feb. 1.