Film Festival: New York Latino Film Festival Amps My Pride

Admittedly, it was hard not to walk into the New York Latino Film Festival (NYLFF with my flag up. Whenever you see your country, culture, and community represented, it is like finding out that you are not an alien; you belong on this earth. In fact, you have a history and world of art that support your presence. Brought you to by HBO Films and sponsored by American Airlines, and founded by Calixto Chinchilla, NYLFF was a massive hit in its 15th year, and showed there is so much more to come.

With a Hennessy Lounge, where viewers of films could go and get fine refreshments, food, and even special-made cocktails for the fest, every screening felt like a mix between welcome and exclusive. With panels in between, films were explained for their inspiration both individually and for our community. It lovely, sad, but necessary in creating a space where both Latinos and admirers of our culture could discuss that current and historical climates that have always put our community under fire. Thus, people were allowed to flow between AMC Empire 25 and Julia De Burgos Performance and Arts Center to witness creators strengthening viewers’ creativity. 

Here are the films that even inspired me to want to be a filmmaker or writer: 

Opening Night: Ruben Blades Is Not My Name- Panama

As Ruben Blades, himself explained, this documentary was like his testament/ will. Now, no one can speak upon his legacy or turn it into a mystery because this film is an open-hearted, honest, and humorous look into the life of a man who is smart, compassionate, and, by fate, one of the greatest Salseros of all time. With commentary by Residente and Gilberto Santa Rosa, the documentary is smooth, and makes you admire the luck and love that has touched Ruben’s life to help him show genius means nothing if not empathetic. Directed by Abner Benaim, the movie thrives at showing the humanity behind massive success. While Ruben looks back on his life, he aims to look forward and enjoy what he deems his final chapter. Though 70, healthy, and still with the same, rich voice and mind, Ruben Blades Is Not My Name oddly embraces that life ends, but you should always make sure it begins. 

Butterfly Caught- USA

I knew I was going to like this film because it screams drama even in the synopsis. Three young actresses trying to make it in Hollywood? Of course, the film invites darkness, but director and writer Manny Rodriguez Jr. goes deeper than typical tropes of eating disorders, drugs, sex, and sheer addiction to attention. Instead, Manny uses his three leads, Naomi (Alex Sgambati), Joe Joe, (Jess Jacobs), and Elsa (Abigail Klein) to subtly and significantly analyze our attraction to darkness. Does Hollywood breed corruption or, instead, reveals and fuels its already set presence within us? The film, in essence, questions whether fame is another by product of humanity nature vs. nurture argument. 

Rich Kids- USA

This film was a DARLING at the festival, and speaks to issues of classism that pervade Latino and general society. In a world ADDICTED to reality shows based on the wealthy, Rich Kids speaks to a world framing materialism as the only road to happiness and societal safety most of us will not have. Led by Gerardo M Velasquez as Matías, the film centers around a group of friends/ poor kids that break into a rich person’s home, and pretend, for a day, to live their “easier” life. While with humor, the film feels like a tragedy close to the hearts of so many of us who know what it is to want to own nicer things, but, instead, feel consistently owned by our life’s situations. When you are young this pain feels double, but, as the characters, when you are society’s “lowest,” this pain feels quadruple. 

Virus Tropical- Colombia/ Ecuador 

Directed by Santiago Caicedo and based on the graphic novel by Paola Gaviria, Virus Tropical triumphs as a simple, black and white cartoon about a good girl that grows up to be a good woman. Raised between Colombia and Ecuador, Paola grows in a household filled with women that, though older, are learning that your never stop “growing up.” There is no magical or legal age limit for wisdom. Thus, as Paola (voiced by Maria Cecilia Sanchez), her sisters, and mother progress in the film, their roles to each other and meanings to themselves grow, crumble, and grow again in defining themselves as women in a “man’s world.” Lovers of Persepolis and hope will adore this film. 

Mas Que Hermanos- Panama

NI PUEDO!!!!!!!!!!!! In Latin America, orphanages are still a thing, and seeing two young siblings fight so hard to stay together, only to have tragedy tear them apart as adults, is gut-wrenching. A film that took twenty years to develop, Beyond Brotherhood is a beautiful, tender look at how your siblings can take the role of parent. Sometimes, a good brother can mean more than a good or absent father. Directed by Arianne Benedetti, watching Mia (Valerie Dominguez) and Joe (Roberto Duran) love each other so deeply and loyally, makes this film a tragic, celebratory experience on sibling love. 

Looking At The Stars- Brazil

I have a strange relationship documentaries. I try to stay away from the “sad ones” because, frankly, I hate knowing that someone suffered. Yet, Looking At The Stars has so much optimism. Directed by Alexandra Peralta, the film follows a bunch of premier ballerinas learning how to dance through life even if blind. It is glorious and humbling as it teaches you that disability does not disqualify or diminish a person’s dreams; so why do we, as a world, let it do so to their realities? 

All in all, the New York Latino Film Festival was fun, thoughtful, and welcoming which are three vital attributes to a good festival. No one walked away without feeling lighter and wiser by the films they witnessed. For More Information On NYLFF Click Here.