Annually, the Berlinale turns into an important platform for showcasing the best filmmaking from everywhere in the world, together with Latin America. Final yr, La Cocina, from Mexican director Alfonso Ruizpalacios and starring Raúl Briones and Rooney Mara, launched into a global tour after debuting there, profitable awards at festivals corresponding to Deauville, Havana and Philadelphia, along with a theatrical launch in a number of markets, together with the U.S.
This yr, the Berlinale (operating Feb. 13-23) celebrates its seventy fifth anniversary, and the stakes are even increased, with 17 Latin American movies (not together with shorts) making their solution to Berlin, three of that are competing within the official choice.
Brazil leads the pack with seven movies, together with one in competitors: The Blue Path (O último azul) by Gabriel Mascaro. This marks his return to directing after Divine Love, which premiered at Sundance in 2019 and was later showcased at Berlin. His new challenge, mixing science-fiction with social themes, follows Teresa (Denise Weinberg), a 77-year-old lady who has spent her life in a small, industrialized city within the Amazon. When she is pressured to maneuver to a senior housing colony as a part of a authorities initiative to relocate the aged in favor of youthful generations, Teresa chooses to flee. The co-production with Mexico, Chile, and the Netherlands additionally stars worldwide Brazilian actor Rodrigo Santoro.
Mexico has the second-largest presence on the pageant with 4 movies, certainly one of which can also be in competitors: Goals, by filmmaker Michel Franco. As in a few of his earlier works, a lot of Goals is spoken in English. Franco collaborates as soon as once more with Jessica Chastain to inform the story of a Mexican dancer (performed by ballet star Isaac Hernández), who crosses the border to proceed a relationship with a rich socialite (Chastain), believing she is going to assist him pursue his desires. Nevertheless, his arrival disrupts her seemingly excellent life. As well as, Franco serves as a producer for Olmo, a Mexican-U.S. co-production directed by Fernando Eimbcke, greatest recognized for Duck Season (2005), which received 11 Ariel Awards, together with greatest image. Set in New Mexico, Olmo (screening within the Panorama part) follows a 14-year-old boy whose mundane life is turned the other way up when he’s invited to a celebration by his stunning neighbor.
Argentina additionally boasts 4 movies, though lots of them are co-productions. The nation’s sole competitors entry is The Message (El Mensaje), a co-production with Spain and Uruguay, directed by Iván Fund, who beforehand showcased The Lips (2010) at Cannes and Darkish Stone (2021) at Venice. That is his Berlinale debut. Starring actor Marcelo Subiotto (recognized for Puan and The Eternaut), The Message revolves round a woman with the power to speak with deceased pets and the individuals cashing in on her talents.
Rounding out the Latin American contingent are two movies from the Dominican Republic, two from Peru, and a documentary from Paraguay, a rustic the place filmmaking is usually difficult on account of restricted sources. One other notable entry is After This Dying, a Berlinale Particular Gala movie directed by Lucio Castro, born in Buenos Aires, and starring Argentine actress Mia Maestro. Though it’s a U.S. manufacturing, it’s thought of a part of the Latin American presence on the pageant.