The Museum of Contemporary Art Denver (MCA Denver) today announced that the next season of Cinema Azteca at the Holiday Theater will be curated by the Biennial of the Americas. The summer series of Spanish-language films will begin on May 30, 2023 with a party co-hosted by MCA Denver and the Biennial of the Americas, followed by a screening of the Cuban horror-comedy Juan of the Dead. Details about the party, which will feature beats by Yucasoul of Siembra Tropical and food from Señor Bear, can be found here.
“Cinema Azteca is a film series we developed earlier this year to pay tribute to the Holiday Theater’s history as Denver’s first Spanish language movie theater. The films are meant to provide moviegoers with a diverse and dynamic perspective on the film traditions of Mexico and Latin America” said Sarah Baie, Director of Programming at MCA Denver. “This is the second season of the series and we’re thrilled to be partnering with our friends at the Biennial of the Americas. They’ve curated a special selection of films highlighting works from across Latin America.”
“As an organization dedicated to fostering connections and collaboration across the Americas, we are delighted to partner with MCA Denver to showcase Latin American cinema’s incredible talent and diversity,” said Mariana Esteves, the Biennial of the Americas Program Manager. “This selection of films offers a powerful window and thought-provoking perspective into the lives and experiences of the Spanish-speaking people of the western hemisphere. With distinct narratives, styles, and genres, these films highlight the immense cultural richness and diversity of the region, showcasing unique voices and perspectives across 10 countries that have garnered critical acclaim and numerous awards. We are honored to partner with MCA Denver and help build a community for Cinema Azteca.”
The summer film lineup includes:
May 30- Juan of the Dead (2011, Cuba) Directed by Alejandro Brugués. This Cuban horror-comedy follows a group of friends who must fend off a zombie apocalypse in Havana with the help of their resident slacker, Juan.
June 6- Relatos salvajes (2014, Argentina) Directed by Damián Szifron. This critically acclaimed dark comedy anthology is made up of six standalone stories that explore the extremes of human behavior and the consequences of revenge.
June 13-No (2012, Chile) Directed by Pablo Larrain. Pablo Larraín’s No is a captivating Chilean film that portrays the compelling story of an advertising executive’s pivotal role in the 1988 referendum campaign against dictator Augusto Pinochet, showcasing the power of democracy and resilience in the face of oppression.
June 20-Amores perros (2000, México) Directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu. Three interconnected stories of love and loss play out in Mexico City, linked by a car accident and the lives of the characters that intersect in its aftermath.
July 11-Ixcanul (2015, Guatemala) Directed by Jayro Bustamante. Jayro Bustamante directs a drama set in rural Guatemala. A young Kaqchikel Mayan woman dreams of a better life beyond her traditional community, but these desires clash with the expectations and limitations of her family and culture.
July 18-Pelo Malo (2013, Venezuela) Directed by Mariana Rondón. A young boy in Caracas, Venezuela becomes fixated on straightening his curly hair for his school’s photo day, causing tension with his struggling mother who fears he might be gay.
July 25-Mejor no hablar de ciertas cosas (2012, Ecuador) Directed by Javier Andrade. This Ecuadorian film follows a pair of impoverished brothers as they navigate their difficult lives in Quito, where they face poverty, violence, and drug addiction.
August 8-Oriana (1985, Venezuela) Directed by Fina Torres.
A young girl accompanies her grandmother to a remote village in Venezuela, where she discovers secrets about her family’s past and forms a bond with a local fisherman.
August 15-Plaza Catedral (2021, Panama) Directed by Abner Benaim. When a 14-year-old boy stumbles bleeding into the home of 42-year old Alicia, who is grief stricken and estranged from society, she finds her life turned upside down.
August 22-25 Watts (2001, Uruguay) Directed by Juan Pablo Rebella and Pablo Stoll. This Uruguayan comedy-drama follows a group of aimless young men as they kill time and try to escape the monotony of their daily lives in the city of Montevideo.
August 29-La Yuma (2009, Nicaragua) Directed by Florence Jaugey. A young woman from a poor neighborhood in Managua, Nicaragua dreams of becoming a boxer, but must overcome societal barriers and navigate her way through a dangerous world to pursue her passion.
Cinema Azteca is presented weekly on Tuesday nights at 7PM at the Holiday Theater. Tickets can be purchased for $5-$15 at https://mcadenver.org/events.
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