Spanish-language film isn’t exactly a staple at the multiplex, but MVFF’s ¡Viva el Cine! program is an opportunity to experience a universe of Latin American and Latinx cinema from across the globe.
“We try to curate the finest international films to create a space where history, culture and identity come alive through cinema,” says ¡Viva el Cine! Senior Programmer João Federici. “The mission is to cultivate appreciation for these films so that they can unite, inform and inspire our community.”
From the true story of a teenage boxer from New Jersey facing the fight of her life: brain cancer (JessZilla), to the tale of two sisters from Peru reuniting with their estranged father and healing old wounds (Reinas), to a boundary-pushing crime-comedy about a disgruntled lawyer helping a notorious Mexican drug cartel leader affirm her gender (Emilia Pérez), the films that make up ¡Viva el Cine! are as diverse as they are entertaining.
This year’s program includes 10 features and three shorts representing 10 countries. “It’s a global perspective, a lens into different cultures fostering a broader understanding of the world and its stories,” Federici says. While ¡Viva el Cine!’s films can cover serious subject matter, what matters most to Federici is that audiences have a great time at the movies. “Seeing people enjoy the films is the best thing! That’s my reward.”
