Revolucion: “What does the Mexican Revolution mean to you today?” 10 Filmmakers, 10 shorts, 1 revolution (Trailer)

 

Revolucion

An omnibus collection of short films held together by a location-based theme, Revolución initially brings to mind such recent collaborative projects as Paris, Je T’aime, New York, I Love You, and Tokyo! Instead of just love of a city, however, the stories of Revolución share much more specific themes. They’re held together by producer Pablo Cruz’s loose conceptual question: “What does the Mexican Revolution mean to you today?” Inspired by the centennial celebration of the uprising-turned-civil-war and eventual establishment of what has since been the political system of Mexico, each filmmaker who contributed a piece took a unique approach, but it’s perhaps more interesting to explore what these pieces have in common than the ways in which they differ.

Mexico’s drug wars captured in film comedy named Hell

Story of El Infierno follows cartel foot soldier capable of ‘insane levels of brutality’ and is tipped to be a box office hit
A black comedy taking Mexican cinema audiences on a rollercoaster ride through the horrors of the country’s drug wars is set to become one of the year’s big box office hits, even in areas worst affected by the violence.
El Infierno, or Hell, tells the story of a well-meaning middle-aged deported migrant called El Benny as he transforms into a drug cartel foot soldier capable of insane levels of brutality.
The film has been doing well in cities across the country for a month now, and was released in Ciudad Juárez this weekend. So far this year more than 2,400 people have been killed in drug war linked violence in and around the border city.
“The cinema was unusually busy and the audiences came out laughing and repeating scenes from the film,” Juárez usher Armando Martínez said in a phone interview. His own opinion? “It’s funny, but it’s hard too.”
The film’s director and co-writer, Luis Estrada, says his initial inspiration came from

Film of the week: Vuelve a la Vida/Back to Life

Vuelve a la Vida/Back to Life (Mexico, 2010)
Starring Robyn Sidney and John Grillo
Directed by Carlos Hagerman
Have you ever had a film just fill you with so much hope and goodness that as soon as you leave the theater you want to stop everyone on the street and say, “You HAVE TO see this movie!”? That’s exactly what I felt immediately after the screening of Carlos Hagerman’s “Vuelve a la Vida,” (the name of a ceviche so good it cures hangovers).  It is a  documentary about a model, a scuba diver, a shark and the legendary shark hunt that epitomized what it is to live in and be from Alcapulco, Mexico.
This is the story of Perro Largo (Long Dog), an Alcapulco legend, known for his aquatic prowess, machismo and charm; as told by those who knew and loved him and were a part of a great shark hunt in November of 1975.
Hagerman came across the story via Perro Largo’s step-son John Grillo, and both he and Grillo were attempting to make a huge Hollywood production based on the legend. But a funny thing happened as they gathered first-person accounts from El Perro’s f

AFI Latin American Film Fest Opens with “Revolution;” Closes in and with “October”

An image from Walter Salles and Daniela Thomas's "Linha de Passe."

AFI has announced their complete lineup for the 2010 AFI Latin American Film Festival in Silver Spring, MD.
The fest will open on September 21 with “Revolution,” a shorts compilation commissioned by Gael García Bernal, Diego Luna and Pablo Cruz, featuring some of Mexico’s leading contemporary directors (among them, Fernando Eimbcke, Carlos Reygadas, Rodrigo Garcia, Bernal, and Luna) exploring themes and stories inspired by the Mexican Revolution, in honor of its 100th anniversary.
The festival will close on October 13 with “October,” Daniel and Diego Vega Vidal’s film that won the Jury Prize in the 2010 Canne Film Festival’s Un Certain Regard section.  “October” follows Clemente, a moneylender, who enters his office to find a baby girl in a basket.  He must search among the prostitutes he frequents to find the baby’s mother, as his neighbor looks after the baby and his office. 

Cinelatino Celebrates Mexican Independence Day with a 24-hour showcase of the Best Contemporary Mexican Films

Cinelatino, the leading Spanish-language movie channel in the United States, celebrates Mexican Independence Day on September 16 with a 24-hour showcase of the most important films that have defined contemporary Mexican cinema.
The variety of titles selected for the showcase illustrate the richness and brilliance of contemporary Mexican film, including international smash hits like Amores Perros (Life’s a Bitch), a film that revolutionized Mexican cinema and won more than

Producer eyes movie on Mexican singer Gloria Trevi

An independent film company is developing a movie about Gloria Trevi, the fallen pop singer dubbed “Mexico’s Madonna.”
Swiss-born Christian Keller will make his directorial debut on “Trevi,” which is to be produced by New York-based Braven Films. Company head Frida Torresblanco, who once ran Alfonso Cuaron’s production company, will produce with Oscar-winning “Lord of the Rings” producer Barrie Osborne.

Cine Mexicano Unveils New User-Friendly Website with Upgraded Video Streaming Capabilities

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Olympusat, the country’s market leader in the development and distribution of independent Spanish-language, faith and family, and emerging TV networks, launched today a new on-air look and website for its owned and operated network, Cine Mexicano. Cine Mexicano is the country’s top-rated and most popular Spanish-language movie channel featuring