Fantasia Festival: Diabla
A young Mexican woman seeks out a local coven of witches to help enact revenge against the boy who raped her and her unsupportive brother.
La Llorona
This compelling twist on the popular legend of La Llorona follows the Guatemalan elite as they face their day of reckoning against the disenfranchised indigenous community.
The Wolf House/La casa lobo
Based on the German religious sect Colonia Dignidad, Cristóbal León and Joaquín Cociña’s stop-animation feature film captures the pain of extreme isolation.
Slamdance: A Dog’s Death/La Muerte de un perro
A Dog’s Death/La Muerte de un perro captures the social turmoil of a country in flux through its focus on the absurd actions of a microcosm of its upper middle class culture.
TIFF: The Moneychanger
Directed by Federico Veiroj, The Moneychanger (Así habló el cambista) paints the portrait of a man who is simply up to no good.
TIFF: While at War
Director Alejandro Amenábar’s While at War/Mientras dure la guerra about writer Miguel de Unamuno’s last stand during the Spanish Civil War offers a grand production and fine performances but lacks in emotion.
The Heiresses
The Heiresses is a quiet and spare lesbian drama. It will resonate with anyone who has settled into their ways and suddenly finds themselves having to reinvent their life.
Ekaj
Written, directed and produced by Cati Gonzalez, Ekaj is a modern day Midnight Cowboy with queer Latinx characters told from a female POV.
This is Not Berlin
This is Not Berlin is a deeply personal film; an exploration of artistic expression and finding your true self.
SXSW: Being Impossible
Director Patricia Ortega’s Being Impossible/Yo imposible is a hard pill to swallow. It’s a heavy-handed story that offers little to an audience that will be overwhelmed by the subject matter.
SXSW: Days of the Whale
Days of the Whale is a promising debut from a fresh new voice. It explores art as both expression and defiance and shines a spotlight on one of the lesser known urban communities of South America.
TIFF Review: Belmonte
A tender portrait of a single dad & his daughter. Also a quirky portrait of an artist who is borderline tormented.
TIFF Review: The Quietude
Argentine family drama about rich people with dark secrets. Takes several twists & turns. Borders on melodrama. At times absurd and humorous
En el Séptimo Día
A poignant drama about Mexican immigrants in Brooklyn. Features non-actors in a superb yet quiet story about finding joy in a life filled with endless work.