28th Edition of The Latin American Film Festival

Operación Causa Justa [Operation Just Cause]

Based on true events, “Operación Causa Justa” weaves together the stories of a Panamanian officer who feels betrayed by his superiors, a young man from a rough neighborhood desperately trying to keep his friends from fighting and facing certain death, a fisherman enduring countless hardships as he attempts to bury his friend, a Panamanian-American businessman imprisoned for courageously conspiring against the dictatorship, and an alcoholic prostitute trapped by her past. All of this unfolds amid the holiday festivities and Christmas preparations of 1989, just as the United States invasion of Panama begins.

 Una sola primavera [Just one spring]

Paraguay, 1947. Asunción is paralyzed by the civil war that ended with the Democratic Spring. Nina is 20 years old, she wants to become a singer, but the sudden outflow of her revolutionary family forces her to be at service of the revolution and to live in the house of a conservative family as a maid. Nina falls in love with Raúl, a communist whom she releases from prison and with whom she begins a hidden romance, which comes to an end after she becomes pregnant and he flees. Nina decides to leave behind the house, the war and the country. She counts on her sister’s help, who also agrees to escape to live a forbidden love with another woman.

Condorito, the movie

Condorito, the most beloved mischievous bird in his hometown Pelotillehue, will undertake, together with his tenacious nephew Coné, a dangerous adventure to rescue his missing mother-in-law, Doña Tremebunda, who was mysteriously abducted by an alien gang. What he has not taken into account is that, while he is not in town trying to repair the mistake with his girlfriend Yayita’s mother, she will be romantically tempted by the rich and insistent Pepe Cortisona.

El empleado y el patrón [The Employer and the Employee] 

Synopsis

El empleado y el patrón (The Employer and the Employee) revolves around Rodrigo (Nahuel Pérez Biscayart), a young landowner managing one of his father’s farms in northern Uruguay, and Carlos (Cristian Borges), a local man he hires to operate a harvester. The film explores the growing tension between their families, sparked by an unexpected situation. The central theme highlights class conflict, but with a twist: it avoids the simplistic portrayal of good versus evil, offering a more nuanced depiction of Rodrigo’s character, defying typical stereotypes associated with his social position. This dynamic brings depth to his interactions with the secretive Carlos and his family.

La República de la pelota

Synopsis

La República de la Pelota is a two-part documentary that tells the story of how baseball is produced in the DR, from the moment a child picks up a glove for the first time until he is signed as a professional. It is a historical, social and cultural look at our king sport, full of ball stories, but above all stories of hard work and overcoming.

Estimados Señores

Estimados Señores” (Dear Gentlemen) is a 2024 Colombian historical drama directed by Patricia Castañeda. Set in 1954, it follows Esmeralda Arboleda and a group of women fighting for women’s voting rights in Colombia. Through strategic activism and media campaigns, they gain public attention, but their biggest challenge comes in the National Constituent Assembly, where Esmeralda faces fierce opposition and a personal crisis. Despite setbacks, their perseverance leads to a historic victory. The film stars Julieth Restrepo, Marcela Mar, Paula Castaño, and Claudio Cataño.

La herencia de Flora [The Heritage of Flora]

Synopsis

Flora Tristán, tired of her husband’s abuse, flees from France to Peru with the aim of reclaiming what she considers her family inheritance. Upon arrival, her uncle Pío Tristán changes her mother’s will to leave Flora without money. Despite her personal frustration, Flora glimpses the social differences and brutal ignominy of slavery in Peru. Returning to France, she became a writer and fought for the rights of workers and women. Throughout her life she falls in love with different men, including intellectuals, artists and workers; and comes to establish a sentimental relationship with Olympe Chodzko, a Polish aristocrat. However, she decides to end her love life to dedicate herself to his work. Finally, she falls ill and dies leaving a legacy of social struggle.

Dedicada a mi ex

Synopsis

After being abandoned by Carol, Ariel is determined to leave everything behind to travel and win her back, but he doesn’t have enough money to do so. When all seems lost, an opportunity arises by signing up for a band battle which first place will win USD $10,000. Determined to achieve his goal, he puts together a rock band with Ortega, his flighty friend, Felicia, a rebellious drummer, and Néstor, a poor Christian guitarist. Along the way, the band will have to chose between the prize or their friendship, while Ariel discovers that love – just like a good song – comes when you least expect.

Martin y Margot 

After being abandoned by Carol, Ariel is determined to leave everything behind to travel and win her back, but he doesn’t have enough money to do so. When all seems lost, an opportunity arises by signing up for a band battle which first place will win USD $10,000. Determined to achieve his goal, he puts together a rock band with Ortega, his flighty friend, Felicia, a rebellious drummer, and Néstor, a poor Christian guitarist. Along the way, the band will have to chose between the prize or their friendship, while Ariel discovers that love – just like a good song – comes when you least expect.

Las Pupusas

Synopsis

Welcome to the land of Las Pupusas!
A trip to the heart of the most loved food by millions of Salvadorans, an ancestral dish that has been part of the history of an entire country. Made of corn or rice, with cheese or chicharrón, Pupusas never go unnoticed, if you don’t know love at first sight, it’s because you haven’t come face to face with a Pupusa Salvadoreña.  Produced by MO Studios and starring millions of Salvadorans, Las Pupusas is a miniseries that will leave you wondering where have you been all this time?

Utopía Tropical [Tropical Utopia]

“Tropical Utopia” is a documentary that invites reflection on the political, social, and economic issues that have shaped Latin America. Often portrayed as somewhat unruly occupants of the North American backyard, the peoples of Latin America, particularly Brazil, have their civilization’s proposal and struggle for independence story told by American linguist and political analyst Noam Chomsky and Brazilian diplomat Celso Amorim. As both characters and observers of nearly a century of history, Chomsky and Amorim shed light on key events of this journey and seek the glimpses that point towards a fairer and more plural Latin America. “History does not repeat itself, but it often rhymes.” Mark Twain.

Una noche con los Rolling Stones [A night with the Rolling Stones]

Synopsis

Rita, a woman in her midlife crisis, decides to end a relationship that has no future and embarks on the search for new love in the days leading up to the historic Rolling Stones concert in Havana.

Violeta al Fin

Synopsis

Violeta has 72 years old and she just divorced. Now she lives alone in the house of her childhood, were she takes care of a wonderful garden and dreams of transforming the house into a guest-house. However, when she finds out that the bank is going to auction her house, she is willing to break all the rules to keep it and ensure her independence.

La Bahía de Mi Vida 

This documentary portrays the natural beauty of the region of Banderas Bay in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, through an emotive visual content. The plot revolves around the relationship between human beings and nature through ten guardians who dedicate part of their lives to the preservation of the natural treasures in region. This audiovisual product aimes at rising awareness about the importance of preserving natural resources in Puerto Vallarta, learning more about its history, ecology and ecosystems. Mati Covarrubias, author of the documentary, is a direct descendant of Guadalupe Sánchez, founder of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.