Happy New Year - ¡Feliz año nuevo! - Feliz Ano Novo!
Dear Patrons,
Happy New Year to you all! Hope the new year is off to a great start.
As we continue to grow our collection and our reach, we are always looking for the best production companies from Latin America with whom we can partner to bring their works to the US and Canada. After several months of courtship with a Nicaraguan production company, we are very happy to announce a distribution deal with Camila Films. For nearly twenty years, Camila Films has produced independent film and video about Nicaragua and Central America and won many awards along the way. This month we are very proud to release two of their films, De niña a madre and Isla de los niños perdidos. In the near future, we plan to release the entire Camila Films catalog. In the meantime, please read more about these two current award winning releases from Florence Jaugey at Camila Films.
For our Latin American programmers don’t forget about our traveling film festival ¡El Buen Viaje! The festival is one-stop shopping for all your film programming needs. Rental of the festival includes the films, posters, postcards, press releases, plus a free website link advertising your event. We do all the work, you and your audience sit back and enjoy the movies. We will periodically change the titles in the festival, so always check back to see what new titles are in the list. If you would like to include titles not on our list, even if we do not distribute them, please contact us as we may be able to help negotiate the rental fees and still provide you with the other materials.
Finally, as noted in our November newsletter, Las Américas Film Network acquired the Mexican fictional story Eréndira, ikikunari. This new film by director Juan Mora Catlett (Return To Aztlan, 1991) tells the story of Eréndira, a young woman from present-day Michoacán who incites her people to rise up and fight against the Spanish. Based on the myth of Eréndira and the Codex Michoacán, this live action tale shot entirely in the Purépecha language has been nominated for four Mexican Aerial Awards (Academy Awards) and was short-listed to represent Mexico at the U.S. Academy Awards and the Goyas. This is a great film for any indigenous, Mexican, or women studies group.
As always, we look forward to hearing from you!
Saludos,
Brian Knighten
Director, Las Américas Film Network
Section links:
- New Releases for January
- ¡El Buen Viaje! Traveling Film Festival
- Eréndira, Ikikunari
- Tijuana Project Update
This month we are very proud to present the works of Nicaraguan filmmaker Florence Jaugey of Camila Films, whose work focuses Nicaragua and Central America. Camila Films is an internationally acclaimed production company based in Managua. They have won many prestigious awards such as a Silver Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival in 1998 and the International Prize of the Author’s Society (SCAM) in Festival Films du Réel. Paris, 2002.
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De niña a madre, Episodios 1 & 2 (Girls to Mothers, Chapters 1 &2) - MULTI-AWARD WINNER |
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La isla de niños perdidos (Island of Lost Children) - MULTI-AWARD WINNER Florence Jaugey Nicaragua, 2002, 80 minutes The Island of Lost Children is the story of ten young inmates who participate in a video course inside the largest prison in Nicaragua. It is a trip to the depths of captivity. It is also the portrait of these “bad boys,” who took the wrong road because it was the only one open to them. |
EL BUEN VIAJE TRAVELING FILM FESTIVAL:
Las Américas Film Network presents ¡El Buen Viaje! Traveling Film Festival. This year’s festival features an assortment of award-winning new documentary titles whose topics range as far as their geographic locale. Present your audience with an informative, entertaining and creative look at Latin America! This easy to coordinate festival offers programmers the opportunity to schedule a number of great, new documentary titles all from one provider. Rental of the festival includes posters, postcards, press releases and a website advertising the event, making this one of the easiest events your organization will ever host. If you have any questions, please email Brian Knighten at brian@lasamericasfilms.org. Download PDF announcement.
CURRENT TITLES INCLUDE*:
| La Otra Copa (The Other Cup) En el hoyo (In the Pit) Tocar y luchar (To Play and To Fight) El telón de azúcar (Sugar Curtain) |
Oscar |
*Titles are subject to change. You can chose any number of films you like, plus add others that are not on the list.
HOW IT WORKS:
- Organizers choose a minimum of four films from the titles listed above.
- The price for the festival is based on the number of films selected, titles chosen, and location of screenings. Average rental fee for five films will be around $1000.
- Films must be screened free and open to the public.
- Organizers will be given posters and postcards advertising the event. A URL will be printed on the promotional materials and will provide more detailed information about your specific screening.
- The rental arrangement will include a donated copy of the film to your organization. This does not apply for El telón de azúcar (Sugar Curtain).
- All screenings will be done on DVD.
- The filmmakers reserve the right to black out cities and dates for screening of their films.
Hucha mítetixapquia escacsi hupiringa, máteru cuiripuecha. Atahpiticha encacsi tyámuxucuparhapca ca engacsi cacapequa úquaaca imaechani engancsi cuahpequarhenga.
We had heard about the intruders: Fearful warriors covered with iron that descended from the sky and killed all who dared oppose them.
Ma cuiripuhcu no cherheaspti. Yurhistsquiri ma enga naneni, hamemquia Eréndira arhicurhispti...
The only one that didn't fear them was a girl, barely a woman: Her name was Eréndira
ERENDIRA IKIKUNARI is a beautifully shot action film that recreates the 16th century legend of Eréndira, a young Purépecha woman who became an icon of bravery during the destruction of indigenous Mexico by the Spanish conquistadors. When the Spanish arrive, they take advantage of the discord and conflict among the Mexican natives, reaping the benefits of a region divided. Eréndira, a young Purépecha woman on verge of marriage, refuses to allow her land to be destroyed and stands up to the social conventions prohibiting women to participate in battle. In the face of the invasion, she steals and learns to ride a horse against the Spanish, winning the respect of her tribal leaders. Along her amazing journey, she becomes a symbol of strength and resistance within her culture. This feature length film was shot entirely in the original Purépecha language.
This film was nominated for four Mexican Aerial Awards including Best Set Design, Best Make-up, Best Wardrobe, and Best Special Effects. Additionally, it was selected as one of five films considered to represent Mexico at the Oscars and Goyas.
Eréndira will be available on 35mm for screening at a theater near you beginning in mid-December. If you are interested in presenting this film in your town, please contact us.
For complete information on this film, please visit - erendiramovie.com
Production is still moving along with the Tijuana Project. We have been very fortunate with the grants and donations we have received thus far. Below is an excerpt from a letter of support from Moctesuma Esparza, renowned film producer (The Milagro Beanfield War, Selena, Gods and Generals). He states:
“The importance of this documentary goes far beyond the filmmaking itself, where the filmmaker becomes the tool by which the story is told. Important stories like this…have the potential to change lives of all involved – the filmmaker, the protagonists, and most importantly the viewer. Director John Sheedy has developed the skills and relationship to let the people tell their own story, with hope and ambition for the future… This is a great story that allows us to experience the power of the human spirit and that’s why I am supporting it.” – Moctesuma Esparza, Maya Cinemas
Visit the recently updatedTijuana Projectwebsite to watch the new trailer, find out about our next event and learn how you can support this important piece of work.