Cinema

The Motorcycle Diaries has been hailed as “the best picture of the year” by Leonard Maltin of “Entertainment Tonight.”

Viva Tu Cine!, the Spanish-language film series, will release the comedy “Bendito Infierno” (Blessed Inferno) on February 04, 2005 in Los Angeles for a limited theatrical run.

The National Association of Latino Independent Producers (NALIP), Time Warner, Inc., and its HBO division announce the Sixth Annual NALIP Conference co-chaired by SíTV President Jeff Valdez and AIVF Executive Director Bienvenida Matías. It will be held on March 3 through 6 in Huntington Beach.

Las Posadas and Dia de los Reyes, which is celebrated on January 6th,, have been Latin traditions for centuries. Just in time for the Holiday season, a beloved children’s animated film comes to DVD for the first time ever. One of the few animated feature films ever to emerge from Latin America, Los Tres Reyes Magos (The Three Wise Men) celebrates Día de los Reyes (Day of the Kings) with the Biblical story of the Three Wise Men, who journey to see the Christ child during the reign of King Herod.

In Spanglish, the beautifully observed comedy/drama from acclaimed multiple Oscar-winning writer/director/producer James L. Brooks (As Good as it Gets, Terms of Endearment), Flor (Paz Vega), a beautiful, native Mexican woman becomes the housekeeper for the affluent, yet troubled, Clasky family (headed by Adam Sandler and Téa Leoni). The result is a wittily perceptive collision of cultures and values, and a refreshingly honest look at such life-altering commitments as marriage, parenting and devotion to family.

Media Arts Center San Diego’s prestigious and internationally recognized San Diego Latino Film Festival, soars into 2005 with an impressive and exhilarating schedule of activities, special events and initiatives. The Twelfth Annual San Diego Latino Film Festival (SDLFF) is now accepting entries for the 2005 festival.

First Family Entertainment and HomieShop will produce a series of computer animated DVDs based on HomieShop’s popular Mijos urban toy line, it was announced by First Family Entertainment Chairman Dean Valentine and HomieShop founder David Gonzales. Through it’s exclusive deal with First Family, MGM Home Entertainment will release the DVDs.

A new Latin American film series kicks off in Los Angeles this month in an effort to provide greater access for the Latino community to first-run films from Mexico and Latin America. Thirty years ago first-run Mexican cinema played to packed theatre houses across the country; however, today only three or four films per year make it across the border. Beginning September 24, ¡Viva Tu Cine! will bring Spanish-language movies all year round to theaters across Los Angeles County.

In its continuing effort to promote and encourage independent filmmakers in the Latino community, Showtime Networks, in partnership with the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival (LALIFF), will air the winners of the LALIFF’s “BEST SHORT” category.

Just in time for Halloween, Desert Mountain Media premiers the DVD debut of a lost cult classic. René Cardona Jr.’s Tintorera is considered a world-wide cult phenomenon, with theatrical releases in the U.S. and Europe as well as Mexico and Latin America.

From legendary director Felipe Cazals, comes Su Alteza Serenisima, a historical drama of the last days of General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna. Despite defeating the Texians at the Alamo, he lost the war of Texas Independence and gave away half of Mexico (including Texas, New Mexico, and Oregon). Exiled from his homeland, he is allowed to return only a few years before dying in 1876. At the end of his life, he still clings to illusions of regaining his former glory and popularity.

Televisa Cine’s critically acclaimed feature debut and overwhelming audience favorite “A Day Without a Mexican” continues its successful run, adds 45 new U.S. play across Albuquerque, Las Vegas, Denver and Phoenix. Moviegoers are encouraged to check out local movie listings for specific theaters and play times near them.

Clearview Cinemas announced that on Friday, August 27 its movie theatre at 62nd and Broadway will open as Cinema Latino — the only all Latino movie house in Manhattan. The single-screen, 300-seat theatre will exclusively show first run Latin American, Spanish and Portuguese films with English subtitles imported from 20 different countries.