Chihuahua City Int'l Film Festival - Parte Dos

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Parent Category: In the Spotlight
Category: General
Published on Tuesday, 10 August 2010 19:59
Written by Laura Blum

Chihuahua may be best known for naming the dog breed that immortalized "Yo quiero Taco Bell." But the northern Mexican state also hosts a film festival in its capital city – which, like the yappy canine is named Chihuahua -- and its second run takes place August 19 to 22, 2010. Chihuahua

Another common denominator between the four-day Chihuahua City International Film Festival and the four-legged being is that they both celebrate the short form. Gleaned from Mexico and around the world, short films are clustered in programming blocks that span documentary, animation and fiction.

Similarly, full-length features at Chihuahua are home spun and imported. The Opening Night slot goes to Without Memory/Sin Memoria, which sics an amnesiac on his own case: who he is, whom he loves and what he has done wrong. Martha Higareda, Guillermo Iván Dueñas, Rafael Amaya and Pedro Armendáriz Jr. co-star in this Mexican thriller directed by Sebastián Borensztein and co-written by Ben Odell.

This year the Festival pays homage to Mexican writer/director/animator Carlos Carrera. His latest film, On Childhood/De la Infancia, will be screened, giving audiences insight into the link between street violence and domestic abuse by way of a ghost story.

From Spain comes Daniel Monzón's action drama, Cell 211/Celda 211. The multi-angled telling of a prison riot won a raft of prizes, including Goya Awards for best director, best film and best actor (Luis Tosar).

As this year's "Invited Country," Spain will also be represented by Alberto Arce and Mohammad Rujailahk's documentary about the 2008-2009 Gaza War, To Shoot an Elephant.

Another Spanish entry is Los girasoles ciegos/Blind Sunflowers. José Luis Cuerda directed this black comedy slash sobering drama about the struggles of an anti-Franquista trying to live and love in the aftermath of the Spanish Civil War. Based on the novel by Alberto Méndez and the screenplay by the late script powerhouse, Rafael Azcona, it features an impressive cast including Maribel Verdu and Javier Camara.

As part of the guest country spotlight, Spanish actors will figure among the talent leading an ambitious lineup of workshops. From Mexico, screen lights Demian Bichir, Ofelia Medina, Patricia Bernal and Teresa Ruíz will impart their wisdoms at some of these forums, which span such topics as pitching, the short film market and 3-D animation.

Mexican singer and actress Susana Zabaleta has been tapped as the celebrity face of the 2nd annual fiesta, which aims "to bring the film to all sectors of the population," per the official festival statement. Free outdoor screenings, talks and educational activities geared toward children and families are among the offerings scheduled to take place in and around main festival venue Teatro de la ciudad.

CCIFF is part of Chihuahua's recent efforts to nurture a local media community and culture that can enhance its prestige, tourist appeal and coffers. The birthplace of screen legend Anthony Quinn boasts filmmaking facilities from university programs and, if Festival president Sergio Ochoa has his way in the not-too-distant future, film studios.

Taken together with initiatives like the Festival, these are intended to shore up the city's historic attractions and burnish its reputation beyond industry, farming and transportation – while also giving the region and nation a leg up in filmed entertainment at a time when drug wars dominate the images and narratives of Mexico.  

For further details on the festival, visit http://www.cinechihuahua.com.mx 

Chihuahua City International Film Festival
Aug. 19 - 22, 2010