2nd Annual Hispanic New York Film Festival

Nov. 27-Dec. 1, 2007
Admission: Free to Public

Davis Auditorium
Columbia University
500 West 120th St.
Between Broaday & Amsterdam Ave.
columbia.edu

Seven films exploring the lives of Latin American society in New York can be seen at the 2nd Annual Hispanic New York Film Festival. The festival is presented by Columbia University and the Instituto Cervantes, a nonprofit organization which promotes the teaching, study and use of Spanish as a second language. Films will be shown free of charge as the goal of the festival is to develop understanding of the Latin American identity and to establish stronger connections within the Latin American community.

Films range from documentaries to feature films, including the recent major release, "El Cantante,"  starring Jennifer Lopez/Marc Anthony film. El Cantante will be the only film to be shown at Instituto Cervantes which is located midtown, at 211 East 49th St. The rest of the films will be shown at the Davis Auditorium at Columbia University.

For more information about the festival, visit their website here. The schedule of screenings are as follows:


El Cantante
directed by Leon Ichaso

As biopics go, this film has everything you would expect--hardships, hope, love, passion, etc. The film is a dramatic portrayal of Hector Lavoe, the notorious Puerto Rican musician who took the sounds of salsa and brought it to the American audience in 1975. Jennifer Lopez plays "Puchi," Hector's lover and muse. As they experience the highs and lows of the music business, they try to maintain their love for each other as well as escape the mounting temptations of their fame.




The Krutch
directed by Judith Escalona

Increasing paranoia, schizophrenia, and general insanity wrap this surreal narrative that addresses the mental anguish and shame associated with racism. Dr. Guzman, played by Jaime Sanchez, is a Puerto Rican psychoanalyst who has deep rooted problems stemming from his Latin identity. The film is told with a blend of different styles, mixing French neolism and contemporary film making.




Two Dollar Dance
directed Yolanda Prividal

The clubs in Jackson Heights, Queens is the place to meet your girl, or meet a girl that will be your girl. That is, if you're willing to pay for it. The women there only cost 2 dollars a song and will love you all night long. The film chronicles the exploits of a few Latin immigrants, trying to adjust to what American society and what they left behind. A short film, preceding "The Krutch."




La Bruja: A Witch from the Bronx
directed by Felix Rodriguez

How do artists survive? More specifically, how can they get money? Perfomance artist Caridad De La Luz, also known as "La Bruja," does all she can. Perfoming in venues such as Def Poetry Jam and Joe's Pub, she conquers audiences but remains struggling with monetary issues. The film explores the issues of artistic integrity and commercialism.




Soy Andina
directed Mitch Tepilitsky

The Fiesta Patronal lasts one week and is filled with dancing, music, food and general merriment all for the patron saint of a small village in the Andes. After spending 15 years in New York, Nélida Silva returns to her hometown in the hopes of fulfilling her lifelong dream of hosting the festival. But as she returns, she finds the village is not as she remembered. Cynthia, a dancer who lives in Queens, goes on her own journey of discovery by traveling to Peru. The two go on parallel quests to find their cultural identites in an ever-changing world.




From Mambo to Hip Hop: A South Bronx Tale
directed by Henry Chalfront

Surviving drugs, gangs, urban renewal, are some of the obstacles the residents of Harlem have had to endure over the years. Despite these destructive influences, the area has given birth to some of the most innovative music forms from Latin jazz, mambo, salsa, hip-hop and eventually rap. "From Mambo to Hip-Hop" portrays the inspiring evolution of a community over time.




Washington Heights
directed by Alfredo De Villa

Carlos Ramirez is a young illustrator trying to escape the neighborhood that he's been trapped in since birth. He aspires to become a renowned comic book artist and often fantasizes about moving toward downtown and be a part of the commercial comic book scene. However when his father gets shot, he puts his dreams on hold and takes responsibility for the sake of his family. Carlos doesn't give up his dreams easily, and he begins to mold his art with the experiences that occur in his life.

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