|
LIFE IS TO WHISTLE / LA VIDA ES SILBAR
Fernando Perez, Spain/Cuba, 1998; 110m
Best film, best director and six other awards, 1998 Cuban Film Festival;
C.I.C.A.E. Award, 1999 Berlin Film Festival; KNF Award, 1999 Rotterdam Film
Festival; Special Jury Award, 1999 Sundance Film Festival. A New Yorker Films
release.
One delighted viewer of LA VIDA eloquently described the film as "a love
letter from a Cuban director to his own country." In presentday Havana,
18-year-old Bebé guides us through the romantic contretemps of a number of
Cuban orphans whose lives intersect on the Day of Santa Bárbara (also known
as the African Saint Chango, ruler of destinies). Rasta'd young Elpidio
dreams of a neglectful mother called Cuba; Mariana, a professional dancer,
has promised to stay chaste if God will give her the role of Giselle; and
compassionate Julia faints when she hears the word "sex." La Vida is a
uniquely Cuban blend of visual flair, absurdist humor and mystical realism,
set to the pulsating music of Bola de Nieve and Benny Moré.
Fri Jan 7:
1, 5:15 & 9:15
Sat Jan 8: 6
Sun Jan 9: 5 & 7:15
Mon Jan 10:
1, 5:15 & 9:15
Tues Jan 11:
1, 5:15 & 9:15
Wed Jan 12: 1
Thurs Jan 13:
1, 5:15 & 9:15
IF YOU 0NLY UNDERSTOOD / SI ME COMPRENDIERAS
Rolando Diaz, Cuba/Spain, 1998; 87m
The title of this documentary "musical" about Havana refers to a well-known
Cuban ballad. Ramiro Puerta of the Toronto International Film Festival
praises Diaz's "sobering portrait of the harsh realities of gender and
culture for those living on the fringes of society [which focuses on] eight
women with different stories of hardship and survival to tell. Using his
customary conversational approach, Diaz allows each woman to introduce her
world: we meet and learn to know Alina, the rumba dancer; Joanni, the model;
Flor, the playwright; Anais, unemployed; Belkis, an entrepreneur; Doris, a
nurse; Alicia, a dancer; and Ivette, an engineer." The movie's climactic
dance stars all of these aspiring actresses, who light up a whole street with
their energy and authentic beauty.
Fri Jan 7:
3:15 & 7:20
Sat Jan 8: 4 & 8:15
Sun Jan 9: 9:30
Mon Jan 10:
3:15 & 7:20
Tues Jan 11:
3:15 & 7:20
Wed Jan 12: 3:15
Thurs Jan 13:
3:15 & 7:20
|
