By Elena E. Robles Once Cinequest 16 Film Festival begins on March 1st, excited energy will literally electrify every hotel, café, and pedestrian causeway surrounding the Camera 12 Theaters and San Jose State University. For twelve days, an average person can rub elbows with great filmmakers and writers, technical wizards, and movie enthusiasts of all ages and from around the world. It is wonderfully unpretentious – you don’t have to be a movie buff. You can come to see just one, really outstanding “speak-to-me” documentary; or to take in a “help-me-escape-the-doldrums” animation short series. The three Maverick film award groups include the Narrative, Emerging-New Vision, and the Documentary competitions. My favorites are the documentaries. “El Inmigrante” and “God and Gays: Bridging the Gap” are two movies that portray ‘hot-button’ issues that seem to make headlines daily across America. “El Inmigrante” tells the true story of a 19 year-old Mexican migrant shot in the back of the leg by Sam Blackwood on May 13, 2000, after asking for water from the 80 year old man. Eusebio de Haro slowly bleed to death on the desert soil. Blackwood was given a few months probation for the cold-blooded act. (March 4 at 4:30 PM, March 5 at 12:30 PM, and March 6 at 12:15 PM). English subtitles appear whenever the de Haro family is speaking. One of the translations sums up the hopeless resolve of those who lost a son. | 
Filmed in Puerto Rico, the poignant and deeply moving “Winning the Battle,” sends an inspirational message to anyone fighting a life-threatening disease.
********************** “There won’t be justice, but maybe it will create a conscience.” ********************** “God and Gays: Bridging the Gap” was filmed and directed mostly in Santa Cruz It evaluates the conflict of acceptance between Gays and fundamentalist Christians in very personal, yet unthreatening ways. I was touched by it’s poignantly open lifestyle portrayals and divergent interpretations of the Bible.
A Showcase for Everyone The Global Landscapes series includes the Latino Film Showcase of eight full-length films and the World Showcase with eighteen foreign films. The Latino Showcase introduces stories for everyone, not just Latinos. The Puerto Rican film “Winning the Battle” is extraordinary. You’ll laugh through your tears. Bring your tissues, spouses, and older youth to see this gently poignant story of how three women fight the battle against cancer. In particular – breast cancer. The ending, although sad, is very uplifting and rewarding. Economic migration is a reality of globalization. Experts tout statistics and social consequences. News media exploit extremist viewpoints. “On the Other Side,” however, is a film about children whose fathers leave to seek employment in another nation. Rarely is the impact of globalization addressed from the perspective of the child. The dialogue is convincing and the young actors are superb. The three scenarios include Morocco, Mexico, and Cuba. Local university students compete The “Shorts Competition Program 7” ( March 2 at 8:00 PM and March 5 at 9:00 PM.) presents short films by students; half are Hispanic, and four are locals from SJSU, SCU and De Anza. Short films include Adiós, para siempre (Columbia University) – directed by David Guillermo Barba; Breached (NYU) – directed by Laura Richard, about a woman trying to cross the Juarez-El Paso border while in labor; Cuando la Luna esta Llena (City College of NY) – directed by Marc Lesser, Dancing (SJSU) - dir. Oscar Arguello, The Fatal Rhyme (SJSU) – directed by Marcus Araiza; Outside a Dream (USC) – directed by W. Michael Jenson; Pasta Point of No Return (De Anza) – directed by Neil Baker; and Sparkle (Vancouver Film School) – directed by Alma Rosales. It is amazing to me how many people still have not heard of the Cinequest Film Festival. Organized by one of the premier motion picture institutes in the world, make sure to check it out. For program information, view Cinequest.org. |
