Tag: Cine Las Americas 21

By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) From Spain, this pleasing and lovable film won the Jury Award for Best Narrative Short of the festival.  Though the film does call for a little suspension of disbelief, I still enjoyed and appreciated the message it offers, and a timely one it is.  The story… Continue reading Cine Las Americas 2018 Review: LA HORA DE LA MERIENDA (TEA TIME)

By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (4 Out of 4 Stars) Because parents often have to be realistic and practical, and usually have their children’s best interests in mind, they are not always supportive of their children’s dreams and aspirations.  Such is the case with Hilario and his son Adan.  Everyday, Adan works along side his… Continue reading Cine Las Americas 2018 Review: POLVO DE ESTRELLAS (STARDUST)

By Mark Saldana Rating: 4 (Out of 4 Stars) This beautiful documentary short of the festival could easily get categorized as a music video.  San Basilio del Palenque is a humble Colombian town, but a very musical one at that.  The people have maintained a rich tradition of beats, rhythms and melodies for some time. … Continue reading Cine Las Americas 2018 Review: PALENQUE

By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) The closing night film of the festival was an inspiring and beautiful, family friendly film that not only honors Native American traditions, but also offers some heartfelt environmental messages.  Written and directed by Zoe Hopkins, Kayak to Klemtu tells the story of 14 year-old Ella (Ta’kaiya Blaney),… Continue reading Cine Las Americas 2018 Review: KAYAK TO KLEMTU

By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) I know it sounds cliché to say that youths often take things for granted when they don’t have to struggle to survive.  However, one cannot deny the truth in that statement.  Not only is this a situation that occurs in the United States, but one that… Continue reading Cine Las Americas 2018 Review: ARÁBIA (ARABY)

By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) Though not my highest rated film of the festival, Cocote is probably the most exciting and artistically bold film of this year’s Cine Las Americas.  Director Nelson Carlo De Santos Arias takes a basic story of vengeance and presents it in some truly exciting and creative… Continue reading Cine Las Americas 2018 Review: COCOTE

By Mark Saldana Rating: 3.5 (Out of 4 Stars) The second documentary I viewed at the festival is a fun and exciting film about the very intimate dance known as the tango and its current world-wide resurgence.  Argentinian director Pablo Hadis offers an entertaining and insightful film that features some of the artists and enthusiasts… Continue reading Cine Las Americas 2018 Review: ABRAZOS IMBORRABLES (UNFORGETTABLE HUGS)

By Mark Saldana Rating: 3 (Out of 4 Stars) From Spain this amusing and somewhat deep comedy features a fantastic performance by it lead actress.  Patricia Jordá stars as Marisa, a vivacious young woman whose life and happiness has been on hold for too long.  Lost and aimless, Marisa dedicates her life and most of… Continue reading Cine Las Americas 2018 Review: MARISA EN LOS BOSQUES (MARISA IN THE WOODS)

By Mark Saldana Rating: 4 (Out of 4 Stars) In this outstanding documentary film, director Rick Tejada-Flores decides to pursue a comprehensive study of his family’s roots and ancestry in Bolivia.  Though raised in America, Tejada-Flores had a father born and raised mostly in Bolivia and an American mother whom his father met and courted… Continue reading Cine Las Americas 2018 Review: MY BOLIVIA, REMEMBERING WHAT I NEVER KNEW

By Mark Saldana Rating: 3 (Out of 4 Stars) This year, it seems like the programmers at CLAIFF 21 had a taste for the bizarre and I just happened to choose a handful of them too.  This film from Mexico is a dark, sometimes disturbing, but also bewildering movie that is highly watchable and gripping… Continue reading Cine Las Americas 2018 Review: EL VIGILANTE (THE NIGHT GUARD)