Cine Las Americas 2009

The 12th Annual International Film Festival Kicks Off April 22-30

Apr 20, 2009

Cine Las Americas, the leading Latin American film festival in the southern United States, has released its 2009 screening schedule, featuring Chilean films.

Since 1998, the Cine Las Americas International Film Festival in Austin, Texas, has gained prestige for offering Latino filmmakers an opportunity to showcase their work. Beginning this year, Cine Las Americas will feature Latin American films from a guest country. Chile grabbed the 2009 festival honor.

Cine Las Americas Opening Night Screening--Todo Incluido or All Inclusive

Opening night begins with a film directed by Rodrigo Ortúzar Lynch, Todo Incluido or All Inclusive. The film follows the twists and drama of a Chilean-Mexican family on vacation in Mexico's picturesque Riviera Maya. When a violent hurricane strikes the area, the family goes through their own personal disasters.

The cast stars Jesús Ochoa, Valentina Vargas, Ana Serradilla, Martha Higareda, Jesús Zavala, Leonor Varela, Jaime Camil, Maya Zapata, Mónica Cruz and Edgar Vívar.

Cine Las Americas Closing Night Screening--Arráncame La Vida or Tear This Heart Out

Closing night wraps up with a film dubbed the "Like Water for Chocolate" of the 21st century. Arráncame La Vida or Tear This Heart Out, directed by Roberto Sneider, takes moviegoers back in time to post-revolutionary Mexico. Catalina desperately seeks independence, love and identity in 1930 Puebla. A love affair forces her to look within herself and figure out who she really is at a time when the nation was just as vulnerable.

The cast stars Ana Claudia Talancón, Daniel Giménez Cacho, and José María de Tavira.

Tickets for the opening and closing night films are US $10. Film passes for the entire festival are US $70.

2009 Cine Las Americas Films

Diverse films from 19 countries represent the screening selection at the 12th Cine Las Americas International Film Festival. Some must-see films include:

Intimidades de Shakespeare y Víctor Hugo or Shakespeare and Victor Hugo's Intimacies, Directed by Yulene Olaizola

This Mexican documentary follows the story of Rosa Carbajal, a woman in Mexico City who rented a room in her house to Jorge Riosse. Out of their loneliness, grew an intense friendship. When he died suddenly, some dark secrets surfaced that will forever haunt Rosa.

A brilliantly done Mexican documentary allows viewers to understand the realities of Mexican immigrants in the United States. The film follows the life of Rosa, a Mexican immigrant who comes to Austin, Texas, searching for a better life. Instead, in 2003, she is arrested for suspicion of murder. The emotional drama lasts two years as the case goes to court, and everyone who is involved demands answers.

The copyright of the article Cine Las Americas 2009 in International Film Festivals is owned by Nancy Flores. Permission to republish Cine Las Americas 2009 in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.