For all those D.C. residents who want to check out the Kennedy Center but don’t have the desire to see the National Symphony Orchestra or Shear Madness, the next two weeks provide you with a perfect reason: The American Film Institute Theater is hosting the fifth Latin American Film Festival from Sept. 19 to Sept. 29. The film festival offers a chance to see some of the newest films from Latin America?films that are nearly impossible to find at other theaters, and that won’t be available on video for many months and even then, not at Blockbuster.
The festival is carrying 16 feature-length films and four shorts from 11 different Latin American countries. Subject matter ranges from historic pieces to comedies and dramas. The movies are in Spanish or Portuguese with English subtitles. Here are a few of the most promising:
Inheritance (Herencia)?This Argentine movie won Best Film in the Miami Film Festival and lead actress Rita Cortese won best actress in the Amiens Film Festival. The film tells the story of an Italian expatriate who runs a neighborhood bistro in Buenos Aires. While a long-time suitor of Cortese draws portraits of people in the caf?, a German’s (played by Adri?n Witzke) money is stolen. Witzke becomes an assistant in the bistro and a boarder. Cortese’s character then must make an important decision when she hears news from her native Sicilian village. Friday, Sept. 20 at 6:30 p.m. with special appearances and Sunday, Sept. 29 at 9 p.m.
Play for Me (Toc? para mi)?This Argentine film focuses on a punk garage band member’s journey to find out the truth about his birth after he buries his father. On the way, he meets characters such as an auto mechanic who puts jagged metal in the road to stir up business, and a truckers’ hooker who is also a single mom. The journey has a surprise ending, and the punk musician picks up some new accordion-playing skills along the way. Sunday, Sept. 22 at 1 p.m. and Thursday, Sept 26 at 6:30 p.m.
A Thief and His Wife (Un ladr?n y su mujer)?A Chilean film that tells the story of a barmaid, played by Amparo Noguera, who learns that her husband, an unsuccesful thief, has landed in jail. The movie deftly moves from lighthearted comedy to powerful drama, and Noguera’s soliloquies have been lauded. Saturday, Sept. 21 at 1 p.m. and Tuesday, Sept. 24 at 6:30 p.m.
Mar?a Escobar?In this Paraguayan film, Julia G?mez and Ruth Ferreira play two country women who work as maids in Ascension. On a night off, they head down to see some male strippers, and trouble starts when G?mez’ hometown boyfriend shows up. Thursday, Sept. 26 at 8:30 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 29 at 6:45 p.m.
In the Country Where Nothing Goes On (En el pa?s de no pasa nada)?This Mexican film focuses on a philandering husband, played by Fernando Luj?n, whose wife dresses like a superheroine for interactive video games, and waves off a car-jacker only to have the bullet deflate the tire of a magician whose assistant is having an affair with Luj?n. Got that straight? It becomes much clearer when their divorce lawyer dresses like a transvestite, and then the kidnappers convince their captive to help them out. Sunday, Sept. 22 at 8:45 p.m. and Monday, Sept. 23 at 8:30 p.m.
So go and check out at least one of the films in the Latin American Film Festival at the Kennedy Center in the next two weeks. Chances are, you’ll find something much more creative than whatever you were planning to watch at Union Station.
The Kennedy Center is located at 2700 F St. NW. All tickets are $7.
