DLAFF preview

The cream of new Latin American cinema is coming to London from 26th November to 6th December in a cavalcade of galas, screenings, workshops and esteemed guests. Around forty feature films, many of which will be UK premieres, will be showing at venues across London as well as numerous shorts and cultural events.
The pick of the crop include the widely touted Blood and Rain which will be introduced by its wunderkind director, Jorge Navas. Blood and Rain is the story of two lost souls, Jorge and Angela, who meet on a rainy Colombian night who attempt to ease the other’s pain. The film is followed by an after-party as part of the festival’s opening night revelries on the 26th.
Also showing is Alex Rivera’s Sleep Dealer, a ‘cyber-punk, futuristic sci-fi’ dealing with ‘virtual immigration’, whereby people use hi-tec equipment to cross borders with their minds. High concept or what? The film looks at the stories of a soldier, a migrant and a writer and is part of the festival’s ‘immigration tales’ selection of films. The director provides a Q&A sesh on its opening on
December 3rd. Also in the ‘immigration tales’ selection is Simond Brand’s excellent drama, Paraiso Travel, which tells the incredibly moving tale of Marlon and Reina as they travel South America to cross the US border and make lives for themselves in New York (see review
opposite).
The other set of films grouped by theme is ‘Comedy in the Cinema of Latin America’ showcase, the highlight of which is Romance, produced by Brazilian superstar Paula Lavigne. This rom-com, about the struggling relationship between out of work actor Pedro and successful thesp Ana, is one to watch.
For many though, the best part of the festival will be the special event at the Tate Modern. Following a screening of Los Bastardos, its director will be taking part in a panel discussion with film critic James Woods and the world renowned Alfonso Cuaron, director of Children of Men, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and the contemporary Mexican classic, Y Tu Mama Tambien. The luminaries will be discussing the variety of Latin American cinema and the changing modes of production brought about by digital technology.
Admirably, profits from the eighth
annual DLAFF are this year being donated to Kiya Survivors, a charity who look after Peruvian children with special needs. The recently established Pasitos Centre in the remote village of Chinchero will be the main beneficiary, which offers basic education, support and care for many of the kids in the village.

Discovering Latin America Film Festival (DLAFF) runs from 26th November - 6th December
For more information and tickets for screenings and events, visit www.discoveringlatinamerica.com.