Bay Area Latino Film Begins a New Chapter
March 8, 2011 § Leave a comment
Cine+Mas SF, a new organization producing the San Francisco Latino Film Festival successfully wrapped year two of their September events. A group of ten Bay Area film lovers run this non-profit organization with Fractured Atlas as its fiscal sponsor.
The group pushes messages online, on the streets, via radio and on news stations like CBS5 – all in an effort to keep the Latino film movement thriving in the SF Bay Area. Shows were presented in San Francisco, Marin, Redwood City, the Silicon Valley at The Tech Museum of Innovation and in Berkeley.
The festival showcased 30 films including shorts, documentaries, and features. Eight countries were represented including Mexico, Peru, Argentina, Venezuela, the Dominican Republic, Uruguay, Brazil, and the USA.
Seven filmmakers were in attendance including Florence Jaugey, director of the Oscar nominated film, ‘La Yuma’.
It’s not a festival without parties and there were several including a smash opening night at the new SOM SF in partnership with Latinos a Morir. Other events included Project One closing night at Sub-Mission, and their annual IMAX event at the Tech Museum of Innovation in San Jose.
“Our mission is to step forth as a new organization with fresh eyes” says their founder, Lou Ramirez. “We were successful in doing so, showcasing two Oscar nominated films in the foreign film category.”
The website contains constantly updated information. View call for entry details, film trailers along with film notes and links their Facebook page: www.sflatinofilmfestival.com or follow them on http://Twitter.com/sflatinofilm.
Does Ethnocentrism Exist in America Today?
March 7, 2011 § Leave a comment
Protesters at Mexico City’s Paseo de la Reforma
Ethnocentrism as it relates to our society today is still an issue and I can’t help but tie a film I saw last summer into my thoughts on the subject.
I presented a documentary feature film at San Jose Public Library: Hillview Branch during the Bay Area Latino Film Festival’s summer program. The film titled Crossing Arizona is a documentary about the very popular anti-immigration sentiment among several Arizonians in modern day.
Among those interviewed for the film were leaders from the Minuteman Project. The Minuteman Project is a group of militia oriented activists who have devoted their time to patrolling the Mexican – U.S. border.
“If we eliminate illegal immigration there would be no more drugs, no more crime, no more deaths. It’s beyond logical,” a Minuteman said while driving to his patrol site.
The group has been active since 2005 and throughout these years has drawn both negative and favorable publicity to their gun totting, anti-immigration patrol tactics.
Following his commentary, photos of a woman shot to death in the desert flashed the movie screen leaving viewers in shock.
The woman was pregnant.
I was left pretty bothered by the film’s contents. Minutemen are spitting on the very principle of life. Hope for a change that their ancestors had when making the journey to the U.S. – totally forgotten.
Not only are Minutemen textbook ethnocentrics, but they’re breeding generations of hate without consequence in Arizona. This mentality isn’t conducive to civil cohabitation.
Aside from the statements made by the Minuteman, the philosophies of the group are very much blinded by a sense of ownership over American soil. Their view of right and wrong is blurred, so much in fact that a complete abuse of human life is practiced.
They feel referent power over immigrants but not just any immigrants, Mexican immigrants who for the most part come to this country to work jobs that Americans don’t want to work.
Needless to say, I was sickened by the utter disregard for the fact that America is a melting pot and everyone, aside from Native American Indians, has history in immigrating here and Arizona use to be Mexican soil.
Besides all that though, this is a communication issue that still very much contributes to the way people form groups and ideologies. It gave me a lot to think about in terms of where our society is in regard to human rights.
Eva López-Sánchez Talks About La Ultima Y Nos Vamos
November 24, 2009 § Leave a comment
La Ultima Y Nos Vamos
In her latest feature film, Eva López-Sánchez takes us along with three 20-year-olds on a Friday night in Mexico City. Each gets pulled into a different party crowd throughout the film, away from the safety of their bodyguards and parents.
La Ultima y Nos Vamos (One for the Road) made its public debut at the 23rd Annual Guadalajara International Film Festival and its California debut in the Bay Area. The filmmaker attended three Bay Area screenings to entertain Q&A.
Her remarks
“It’s a take on Mexico that isn’t seen by American audiences,” says López-Sánchez. “You’ve only seen a violent and corrupt Mexico City. My film showcases the music and lifeblood of our Friday nights. We’ve all had one of them, thinking ‘what am I doing here?’ Meeting with people who we wouldn’t regularly meet with, the story is universal.”
La Ultima y Nos Vamos toured cinemas in the U.S., France and Mexico before its release onto DVD.
“I love the film. I love how you captured a bird’s eye view of Mexico City in your intro and your soundtrack speaks to me,” an audience member said in San Jose. “I grew up in Mexico City and your film took me back home.”
“We took six flights over the city, shooting various districts. It’s Mexico City today with its mix of cultural influences.” She filmed the capitol, nightlife, and the dark alleys like only a native could. “The city is full of surprises. I can be anywhere in the city at any time of day or night and still discover a new amazing neighborhood jewel.”
The audience at the Lumiere Theatre in San Francisco responded, “What inspired you to make this film? ”
“My son came to me with an incredible story line about these kids ending up with completely different crowds – in neighborhoods they shouldn’t have been in.” The film explores how people relate with others who are completely different and “can find something human. It’s about relating despite our differences.”
Her writing process
“I told my son to write it all down and we’d make a movie out of it. He told me, ‘I don’t know how to write a film.’ So I told him to write what ever he could and to write it in the first person and I would help him with the rest.”
She attended Mexico City’s Centro de Capacitación Cinematográfica, has made six full length films and several short films since. Her directorial debut was with Francisca, a political period drama that looks at Mexico City’s Tlalteloco massacre of 1968, where hundreds of student protesters were killed. Her first three films were documentaries and the latest works have been feature films.
“I didn’t want to write this film because I would write it with all of my experience- through my old eyes. I wanted a fresh perspective. I wanted his young eyes to tell the story.” He brought her the story on eight handwritten pages. “It was fresh and it was fun.”
During a radio interview, Margarita of San Francisco’s Pirate Cat Radio mentions that films from Latin America often emulate their European influences instead of portraying Indo Latinos the way La Ultima y Nos Vamos does.
“The characters have different backgrounds, but they’re tied together by predominant cultural influences. They’re very Mexican in character. They use Mexicanisms. They share Mexican music roots.”
The score
Music in the film complemented each character’s personality. “As a filmmaker, you have to be in the know. I have a network of different artists that keep me up to date with their latest work.” Among the artists are MC Luca a hip-hop artist and Big Metra. “Niña Dioz is a reggae artist who wrote Criminal Sound specifically for the film. She’s from Monterrey, Mexico and is only 20 years old.”
The film’s instrumental music, which is also known as the score, was a collaboration between López-Sánchez and Renato y Ramiro del Real who are well known music production artists from Mexico City. La Ultima y Nos Vamosis is their second feature film project.
“Film is important because it’s a universal way to communicate facts of life and human nature. You can have the notion of an experience, but by watching it play out on film you can live that experience almost first hand. Film resonates with you and affects you the way that no other medium can.”
Locally Grown Mission Street Eats
October 3, 2009 § Leave a comment
Whether you’re a city dweller or coming to the California Bay on vacation, you might want to check out the multifaceted mecca that is Mission Street.
Aside from its culturally diverse population, this major artery through San Francisco has some of the city’s best organic cuisine.
Their major selling point is not just their location, but the fact that their menus showcase only locally grown produce and meat products. I’ve compiled a list of restaurants worthy of checking out while you’re in the city’s Mission District.
AME Restaurant, located in the St. Regis is high end and all fresh. It features contemporary American cuisine with Napa Valley executive chefs at its helms. This award winning spot is perfect for dates and features some of the best California wines. AME is located at 689 Mission right in the SOMA District.
Americano Restaurant & Bar is waterfront and offers American and Italian cuisine. Besides its beautiful waterfront views and locally grown menu selection, the restaurant has a bar from 11-1 am every night.
Blue Plate is a hip-casual stop for medium priced Modern American cuisine. Its menu is completely organic too. Blue Plate is located at 3218 Mission in the Bernal Heights District.
If you like Latin, check out Cha Cha Cha. It’s a hip and fun local favorite. This place serves tapas style cuisine at reasonable prices and is open late. Find it at 1301 Mission Street.
Foreign Cinema is an upscale, but hip place to grab a drink or a bite. It’s outside dinning patio doubles as an outdoor theater where classic films are screened during dinner. Indoor tables are also available. Classic cinema outside and fresh food from local farmers, who can beat that! Foreign Cinema is located at 2534 Mission Street.
Aside from the above mentioned eateries, Mission Street is a perfect district to cruise through if you’re looking for fresh produce. There’s a fruit stand on almost every corner.
The Archives of My Mind 